Swimming Camps Abroad: What They Don’t Tell You ~But You Need to Know
Ask any swimmer about their favourite memories, and you’ll probably hear stories of sunshine, training camps, and a lot of pasta. Going abroad for a swim training camp is a rite of passage — but while the Instagram photos show blue skies and recovery dips, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes.
Whether it’s your first camp or your fifth, here's what you really need to know before you go, and how to get the most out of it.
✈️ 1. The Travel Day Will Drain You — Plan Accordingly
Flying sounds fun until you’re walking through the airport with three bags, sleep-deprived, and wondering why your foam roller doesn’t count as a carry-on. Travel is tiring, especially if you're heading straight into a swim session.
Top Tip:
Hydrate like crazy before and during the flight. Wear compression socks. If possible, avoid scheduling a high-intensity session on day one.
🏋️♂️ 2. The Volume Will Hit Different
Training camp is not your average week. You’ll likely be doubling up sessions — morning pool, afternoon gym, evening core, repeat. The volume will spike, and recovery becomes your secret weapon.
Pack smart:
Magnesium supplements
Protein powder or snacks
Resistance bands and mini massage tools
A notebook for session reflections
🧠 3. Mental Fatigue Is Real
Being in a new environment, away from home, training twice a day — it’s exciting, but it’s also a cognitive load. Your brain’s working overtime adjusting to new routines, new people, and probably a different language on the restaurant menu.
Build in recovery rituals:
Evening stretch, journaling, guided meditation, or just 10 mins to zone out with music. Your nervous system needs downtime as much as your muscles do.
🥗 4. Food Might Be…Interesting
You may not always get your usual meals. Camps abroad often rely on hotel buffets or villa cooking — and let’s be honest, it’s not always performance fuel.
What to pack:
Cereal bars
Instant oats
Electrolytes
A few “emergency” meal replacements (you’ll thank yourself later)
Pro Tip: If you’re self-catering, take turns cooking as a team — make it fun, and fuel up properly.
💧 5. Sunburn Is a Performance Killer
Training outdoors? Good. Forgetting sunscreen on day one? Bad. A burnt back or shoulders can make streamline position and swim feel awful — and recovery worse.
Sun cream = non-negotiable.
Go for water-resistant, reef-safe SPF 50, and reapply constantly. Rash vests help too.
🏊♀️ 6. You’ll Get Better — But Only If You Focus
Camps are a golden chance to level up. Fewer distractions, more time in the water, and eyes from multiple coaches. But you’ve got to be intentional.
What to focus on:
Technical corrections — write them down
Race pace habits — don’t “just swim laps”
Recovery — it’s not optional, it’s part of the work
Use the time to reinforce elite habits, not just go through the motions.
✍️ 7. Journal the Experience
Reflection is one of the most powerful tools for swimmers. Track how you felt, what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned. This helps you carry the lessons back home — where the real racing happens.
If you’re using a swim journal or tracking app, even better.
🎒 Essential Packing List:
2x goggles (always bring spares)
2x swimsuits + dryland kit
Slides/flip-flops
Skipping rope & resistance bands
Tupperware/snacks
Recovery tools (lacrosse ball, massage gun, etc.)
Notebook or training journal
A positive attitude (seriously, it helps)
🌟 Final Thoughts
Training camps abroad are a privilege — a chance to break routine, build connections, and grow as an athlete. But to make the most of it, you’ve got to go in prepared — physically, mentally, and logistically.
Train hard. Recover smart. And take some epic photos along the way.