SwimQuest Mathraki travel towards home

A proportion of the group met for a morning dip but I skipped this due to the tight timing of an early breakfast and boat transfer. 

The transfer by boat and minibus worked well despite both boats being temperamental at some point. The trip across to Corfu coincided with a misty haze lifting and gradually revealing the land.

The mist fading over the Ionian Sea

The reluctance of the boats added to the anxiety of those with early flights, but we did arrive at the planned time. Everything during the week ran on a relaxed, casual time but deadlines for travel were met. I chose flight times to fit the advertised connections but I'm not sure I'd recommend this as transfers were adapted to suit the participants’ flights. I'd suggest contacting SwimQuest if your optimum flight doesn't quite work to the publicised times to see what can be arranged.

I chose to wait a few hours in the airport to avoid the midday heat and moving luggage. Corfu airport was frantic, with large package holiday groups. However the various queues for security and passports worked well. There was a brief issue with passport control across Europe (unrelated to the much-criticised EU Entry/Exit System) during my wait but as far as I could tell, the staff handled it well and prioritised those needing to depart.

In reviewing the week I have had many new swimming experiences without serious travel problems. It's worth noting that there's only around 2 hours of planned swimming per day. This works out, for me, around 6.5km in total. Some of the group did extra dips, and of course, swam further on occasions, but I didn't feel a need as even this amount is vastly more than my normal swim training load. The technique, or coaching, element was personalised to ability, age and previous experience and I have made concrete, albeit small, improvements in my stroke. Cassie is a keen observer and effective communicator and clearly loves helping people learn to swim. Our guides worked at least 12 hour days to keep everything on track and make sure we had a safe and enjoyable holiday. My only criticism would be that I'd have liked more individual time on technique in a given session.

The restaurants on Mathraki are very capable of providing vegan fare and I couldn't say I'd ‘missed out’ significantly. The non-vegans (so everyone else) praised the meals too. Greece is as hot as you'd expect but the water may not be. I was the only wetsuit wearer but two other swimmers commented on being cold at the start of the week. I think a shorty wetsuit or rash vest would be advisable for many, both for warmth on the occasional cool mornings and to keep the sun from burning back and shoulders.

SwimQuest Mathraki Third swimming day

Today's plans changed. We should have done technique offshore then gone to Arillas. But, after the morning swim the currents increased so we were back to Mathraki for lunch. However,  the teaching tips for today were:

• Roll from hips into ribs and finally shoulders
• Reinforce yesterday's points on kick and arms

It was lovely to focus on technique, sheltered between two islands, rather than in a pool.

Listening to technique tips in the glorious turquoise sea

After lunch we went to an island, under the impression that it was supposed to be calmer than Arillas. In the event it was still pretty rough and discouraged me from doing much more than focusing on breathing air rather than water. Even the experienced swimmers found it rough, although they were able to spot a few fish. I was ever so pleased to reach the boat. Type 2 fun in my case, for sure.

SwimQuest Mathraki Second swimming day

A disco in the Taverna last night had the potential to keep me awake but it was quieter than the noises of the sea and air conditioning combined. We had another great breakfast at which I discovered the almond milk. The tap water stopped briefly afterwards but everyone managed to make do. The hotelier seemed to have to do some repair work offsite.

Before swimming we each received 10 minutes of feedback on our recorded swim. Importantly, Cassie explained the possible causes of the actions we could see rather than focusing on the visible issue. For instance, she noted my 'putting on the brakes' hand during reach and suggested that this was likely due to a lack of core control. I needed to deal directly with that, not just angle my arm differently. Points to think about are:

• Leading arms at 11 and 1 o'clock
• Rotation should start at hips, do more
• Avoid head lift at the end of a breath
• Keep heel up in kick, not downwards

The practical technique session considered parallel, forwards arms. I'm fairly consistent here after plentiful catch-up drills. Already I was aware of discomfort in my left shoulder. I'd start a programme of ibuprofen gel and daily paracetamol. Cassie had stressed the importance of technique in minimising injuries in swimming, and indeed that she'd had problems herself from technique that was less-than-ideal. I won't be swimming a hundred km  per week though. 

Swimmers close to the Mathraki shore

The afternoon swim was from the support boat near the harbour and across the bay, naturally I got lost on the return leg and had to be coaxed in the right direction. I'd wondered why the boat I was targeting was moving further away, still worth doing 1.6km. Comparing wayfinding approach between trips I'd say that I prefer to follow a kayak than be unsure whether to head towards the support boat or a fixed landmark. On dry land I can visualise a route readily but in the water, perhaps due to the low sightline, I often find myself slightly confused.

We ate at the Blue Dolphin tavern near the harbour this evening. Starters were great, but the vegan main course a little disappointing. A good welcome there nonetheless.

SwimQuest Mathraki First swimming day

The hotel breakfasts are really generous so it's a good job that time was allowed for it to 'settle' before swimming. However, once in the water I found it cold and suffered in the so-called warm-up. The guides noticed the shivering. They allowed me to be first to be videoed, I didn't expect to look good.

Still of the video of my first swim, feel free to critique the technique

We were given some tips for sighting and it was stressed that this is a safety issue. Cassie's recommended technique is to push down, to raise your body, for a quick peek, followed by a breath to the side. Of course I practiced during the week but this should be topped up in the pool over coming months. On some swims over the coming days I found the waves to be too high for this technique to allow me to see the destination and I had to stop and peer meerkat-like.

Before lunch we had a presentation, an overview of technique, which thankfully mirrored my local coach's advice. At least there is a consensus now. My video revealed the usual problems which I thought I'd reduced. I blame the cold. I'd learn more tomorrow.

The bad weather had brought cold water evidently, so I fought my way into my wetsuit for the afternoon swim. This was a comfortable 1.2km along the shallow coastline towards a beached yacht.

The yacht floundered in a storm a few weeks ago

Yesterday a few of us walked up the road to a small ridge to see the sunset. We were a little late so allowed more time this evening. However, we were thwarted by a layer of cloud. In coming days there'll be opportunities to have clear skies perhaps? An evening walk felt essential after 3 square meals today and only short swimming sessions. 

SwimQuest Mathraki Arrival

Last night we learnt via WhatsApp that the transfer has been brought forwards to this morning due to predicted rough seas. Lucky I was in town! I didn't need to plan a morning activity as the minibus was now booked for straight after breakfast.

Our minibus took us north, to the port, through typical Mediterranean scenery. Just over an hour on mostly winding country roads. If anything, the countryside is greener than I expected for such a hot country. The journey was an opportunity to start to get to know each other, inevitably limited by the seating layout.

Crossing the Ionian Sea from Corfu to Mathraki with our luggage

The motorboat journey was just over half an hour of bouncing across waves. Our luggage was balanced on the back seat. Most of the group were glad when we, and the bags, reached port safely. Then another short transfer, this time by a very tired minibus, along the partially paved coast road.

Hotel Paradise lies in a small cove, with a sheltered beach. The rooms are basic but everything needed, including a small fridge. Water and electricity are potentially limited on Mathraki but we only had one short period, this week, without tap water.

Hotel Paradise and Taverna adjacent to the sheltered beach

The guides and coach had joined the transfer but it was only on dry land that good introductions were made. The SwimQuest guides would manage logistics whilst Cassie would give a mix of group and individual coaching during the week. We were also introduced to the honesty bar system, many of the drinks were from Corfu Brewery, including a 0.5% beer, which proved popular at lunch times. It's perhaps worth noting that the prices for hot and cold drinks were very reasonable considering the tavern's near monopoly.

The unusual weather meant that it was cool enough to walk to the island's peak during the afternoon. Subsequently, I found that it would be too hot to do this although I had intended to explore further. Remaining group members arrived on a later, much rougher, crossing at the publicised time. Adaptation of the programme to suit weather and travel requirements would prove to occur most days. For instance, today's acclimatisation swim was cancelled due to the rough sea, even in 'our' enclosed bay.

The evening meal was plentiful with salads, cooked vegetables and something meaty for the non-vegans. It was pleasing that my menu request (I had enquired before booking) was noted without any fuss which is better than I often find at UK hotels. There was no choice as such to the meals, although the mezede-style presentation gave wide variety, and we were asked to pay a fixed amount. Ultimately, the cost of the food and transfers was less than the amount given in the documentation (which is best way for things to work out). In my opinion, it would be do much easier for participants if it were included in the holiday price. 

By now we'd learnt more about each other, a mix of ages from late 30's into 70's, and of first-time open water swimmers into very experienced sea swimmers and triathletes. I'd put myself into the older age range and lower experience. Most swimmers were from England however two were from other European countries. Our two guides, one form UK, one from USA, had spent the summer working for SwimQuest and already knew the island and the local team well.

SwimQuest Mathraki My travel day

I've booked into SwimQuest's "Technique and Explore with Cassie Patten" for additional freestyle coaching and to do a little openwater swimming in warm water. Coldness has previously been a limiting factor for me. It's around 8 years since last flying abroad and I wasn't looking forwards to the travel. I flew a day early to ensure I was ready for the transfer from Corfu Town to the island.

Fortunately,  after a 3am start everything went well and I reached the hotel, an easy walk from the airport, late afternoon.  The weather wasn't as warm as I'd expected and I was even caught in a brief rain shower.  I made a small tour of the town but didn't queue for the old fortress. There were 4 cruise ships docked and I presume their thousands of passengers contributed to the busy-ness.

Alleyway in Corfu town

The town varied between busy, upmarket restaurants and basic urban areas. A few streets back there's a non-tourist commercial area where I bought bananas and water for the next day or so. I found the island's only vegetarian restaurant on the border between those areas and I ate a good evening meal. Even with the traffic noise, both cars and aeroplanes, I slept fairly well.

SwimQuest Costa Brava Review

I'm back home after spending a tiring, but stimulating, week in the Costa Brava with SwimQuest. As a novice open water swimmer the thought of 2 swims each day in a salty sea was slightly anxiety-inducing but I really wanted to move beyond small lakes. This Spanish trip seemed ideal as it fitted around work commitments, my wife and I like Spain, and it was one of the cheaper trips in their brochure.

Really the swimming trip is only 5 days, which was enough to make me wish I was able to stay another week, but not so much that my shoulders couldn't cope. We travelled on the Friday before the 'official' start so that we were there in good time, enough for a restful day. We flew into Girona and then took a taxi instead of doing a 2 leg bus journey. I suspect that flying to Barcelona and taking the bus to the resort would be cheaper although perhaps more risky for travel sickness.

I won't bother reviewing the accommodation at Ciutat de Palol as I don't believe that SwimQuest stay there routinely; suffice to say that it was sufficient.

Saturday

On the programmed travel day we strolled through the shops, returning along the promenade of Playa de Aro and continuing a little on the coastal GR92.

The town has a number of quite upmarket shops, many selling women's clothing and just as many vaguely european restaurants with similar menus. Once on the coastal path I could see why the hike is one of the more popular Spanish trails.

In the evening the swimming group met for drinks and dinner, after the typical introductions. Around half the group were from London and knew each other well which could have been a barrier, but they were very welcoming.

Sunday

At the briefing it was clear that I was the novice swimmer having only a season's open water experience and none of that in the sea. Others in the group had little sea time but were strong pool swimmers of many years.

At the nearby beach I swam half as much as everyone else as without wetsuit or pull buoy I was slow, cold and a bit overwhelmed. John (Coningham-Rolls, founder of SwimQuest) recorded with a GoPro to analyse before dinner, but we missed that time slot. I suspect my stroke was closer to doggie-paddle than a decent freestyle!

After a buffet lunch we went to Sant Feliu de Guixols for a 2.7km out-and-back swim.

The coastal swims are those defined by Vies Braves although as October is seen as the end of the season, in many cases the indicative buoys were removed.

As the slowest swimmer I was first in which was only slightly intimidating especially as a distinct swell was present beyond the breakwater. Mia was just behind in the kayak which was a comfort. Although I felt slow I'm pleased to find that I'm not the slowest swimmer recorded on Strava on this swim by quite a margin. 

Monday

I woke with some stiffness and soreness in my left shoulder, which I've experienced before. This suggested to me that I'd done slightly too much yesterday, so today I decided to do just one swim.

Platja de Santa Cristina is a beautiful bay to the south of popular Lloret del Mar and easily reached by minibus from Playa de Aro.

The 2.1km swim was picturesque but I was a little slower than yesterday and very pleased to return to the beach for a picnic lunch put together by Mia. After that I strolled along the path towards Lloret above the route we'd swum that morning.

Tuesday

Today there was a general strike in Catalunya in protest at the police violence at Sunday's (illegal) referendum. Most bars and cafes were closed but luckily a few were open providing refreshments to weary swimmers.

The 2.6km swim from Tamariu was especially pleasant as we had time to land on a nearby beach for a few minutes. Previously we had swum for a time, or to a promontory, and then returned. My pace was a little higher today and I got better at stopping my watch at rest points so as to show true swimming pace.

After a picnic lunch and a short doze we headed to Llafranc for a shorter 1.6km swim to a headland having passed between a few rocky outcrops.

By now the water flow through my wetsuit had increased as a seam had opened on the right forearm. More on that here...

Wednesday

A 4km swim was planned for today as a prelude to tomorrow's up to 8km marathon set of swims. As we cleared the bay at Platja de Sant Pol the swell increased markedly, to a point at which it was felt unsafe to continue around the point.

We cut across the mouth of the bay and completed a circular swim of 2.3km back to the beach. During the return swim I felt 'in the zone' and John noticed the improvement in my stroke and commented upon it. My aching shoulder had relaxed and I was focusing on good torso rotation to facilitate a forward reach on both sides. For 400m I managed a pace of 2:16min/100m, although after that things fell apart for a bit as I lost the relaxed stance and tried too hard. 

During the 'rest' afternoon we walked to Castell de Aro although everything but one rather run down bar was closed. There's a castle art gallery, a church, a doll museum and a minature railway but can't report on them at all! The town itself was pretty and very well kept.

Even whilst walking I knew my arms were tired, both shoulders felt well worked which I took as a good sign of fatigue rather than injury. We'd heard that tomorrow's swim wouldn't be the 'challenge' with Vie Braves but would still aim to be stretching for all.

Thursday

Today we headed to the Cap de Creus Natural Park which was at least 90 minutes drive. The lengthy journey did nothing for my confidence which felt a bit low as I was tired and with an aching left shoulder (ibuprofen gel didn't seem to be helping it). An accompanying RIB joined us at the lovely Platja de Cau del Llop for a 3.4km out-and-back swim.

Outbound was fine but the return leg, especially the last 1km, was tough. Although I kept my pace up my perceived effort was high, my shoulders stiff and technique horrible. My stroke length fell by at least 10% to 1.18m and I was digging deep to keep going. I wasn't sure I'd manage another swim that day.

We moved on to another pretty beach at Garbet for lunch and a snooze. The sun was strong and I sheltered in the van which was pleasantly cool with a through draught.

Outbound, for my 1.9km swim, we followed the coast into a small beach where the nudists were surprised to see us floating offshore . Whilst some of the others carried on with a larger loop around the bay I headed straight back to the starting beach. Somehow, knowing that I planned to complete my swim there, I settled into a good rhythm again and achieved a pace of 2:17min/100m with a nice long stroke length of 1.37m across nearly 900m of open water.  I'm not sure that I could have managed a longer distance swim, but finishing with some tidy swimming felt positive.

There was a little discussion about a third beach but really there wasn't time, and that proved to be the case as the journey back to base was a little troublesome. Nonetheless there was time to get kit tidied and a shower before the trip to the restaurant. The evening meal was good and helped by a fabulous sea view which revealed a glorious harvest moon.

Summary

I had great experience and achieved my goal of more swimming than I'm used to, in a new salty environment. The salt water was far less of an issue than I expected and although my goggles were perpetually misted-up or streaked I didn't get sore eyes. The buoyancy from the salt in combination with a triathlon-style wetsuit helped my body position considerably and most of the time I left my legs to trail. I tried using my large training fins but they were floating so high as to be useless.

The organisation of the swims and safety cover by John and Mia was faultless and I felt in safe hands whilst being able to work close to my physical and skill limits. Before the holiday, and in the early stages, some of the information could have been more clearly laid out but this shortcoming wasn't important; it's just that I like to be ultra-organised with dates and times!

Since returning home I've looked at the SwimQuest brochure online and I'm considering where I'd like to go next and what I could achieve at the different locations. I suppose that is the best recommendation of the holiday.