Channel & Distance Training - Poros, Greece

Poros, Greece

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Serious training, invaluable seminars, and the opportunity to push your boundaries in a glorious setting in the Saronic Gulf, Greece. Varied swim routes which avoid repetitive bay swimming.

Duration

6 Nights

Distance per day

5-18km

Water temperature

14-16°C

Max. group size

Ability level

Intermediate, Advanced, Challenger

Swim type

Open Water, Sea

Non-swimming Partners

Welcome - 10% discount

Technique coaching

Included

SwimQuest co-founder John Coningham-Rolls has been guiding swimmers through long-distance challenges since his own English Channel crossing in 1998. Supporting swimmers in pursuit of their personal swimming ‘quests’ is at the heart of what we do, and John – along with our experienced SwimQuest team – has been at the forefront of channel and distance swim training from day one.

Our Channel and Distance Training Weeks are an ideal way to prepare for an English Channel solo or relay, or any other long-distance swim challenge. Whether you’re building towards your first big swim or adding another epic crossing to your list, these tours are designed to help you feel confident, prepared, and supported. Expect a packed six night itinerary. Alongside a challenging swim schedule, this trip involves daily seminars, distance swimming skills sessions (such as feeding from a boat), and technique advice.

Highlights

Essential swim preparation

Gain the experience and stamina you need with dedicated sessions to help you prepare both physically and mentally for a channel swim or other long distance swim attempt.

Varied, scenic swims

Weather pending, swims on this trip are varied and exciting. Swim to mystical Modi Island, around Castle Bouritz and along these stunning coastlines. We try to avoid repetitive loops of bays where we can!

A night swim

A worry for many long distance swimmers, this trip includes a night swim to help you get used to swimming in the dark.

An incredible team

Our long distance guides are amazing people. Not only have they completed unfathomable challenges themselves; but they are passionate and dedicated to helping you complete yours too.

Itinerary

Day 1

Kanali Bay swim

After breakfast we will jump in for our first swim (45 min to 1 hour) which will be a bay swim at Kanali. If not completed the day before, during the session the guides will be film you above and below the water. This will be a continuing theme throughout the week. Regular filming is an invaluable tool, and at the end of the tour you will receive all your films for future reference. The afternoon swim will be a slightly longer swim (up to 1.5 hours) allowing you to think about the stroke session.

Day 2

Castle Island

After breakfast, we will embark on an exciting long swim to the historic Castle Island (Bourtzi). This swim is approx. 2 hours in the water (although adapted depending on your personal challenge). After a well-deserved lunch, we’ll head out once more for a bay to bay swim, east out of Kanali, towards Askeli (up to 3 hours in the water). In the evening we will host a seminar on ‘mental preparation’ for a Long Distance swim over drinks and nibbles. That evening, we will complete our night swim to give you an opportunity to try out swimming in the dark.
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Day 3

Southern Poros

Today we will run one long swim along Poros' beautiful southern coastline (up to 4 hours) which will enable you to experience an extended time in the water and put feed regimes into practice. The afternoon offers a chance to relax prior to a long swim the following day. We will continue with the informal seminars on topics such as swim preparation (logistics), training schedules, feeding programmes and support crews.

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Accommodation

WIFI RESTAURANT BAR POOL AIR CON EN SUITE DEPOSIT BOX

Tucked just below the iconic Poros clock tower, the family-run Manessi Boutique Hotel sits right at the heart of the port. Overlooking the harbour and Galata Beach, it’s a peaceful spot on the seafront promenade, surrounded by relaxed cafés and traditional fish tavernas – the kind of place where you can settle in and feel part of island life.

Rooms

The base trip price is based on you sharing a twin or double room. If you are travelling solo we'll pair you with a same-sex roommate, or if you’d like a room to yourself, choose a sole use room when booking.

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What's included

Included

Twin or double share accommodation
A tailored, tried and tested long-distance swimming itinerary
Long distance seminars
Long distance skills sessions (e.g. feeding from the boat, preparing for a swim, night swim)
Breakfasts
A selection of snacks
Swim feeds (maltodextrin is provided, please talk to us if you require other feeds)
Safety boats as required
Three SwimQuest guides
SwimQuest swim cap and gift
VAT
ABTOT Financial Protection

Not included

Travel to and from Poros (though we can advise on transfers)
Lunches, evening meals and any alcohol purchases (we will take you to delicious local tavernas for meals)
Additional in resort extras
Sports massages (although we can help you arrange these)
Single room supplements / room upgrades

Getting there

Trip begins 4pm Saturday afternoon

Fly to Athens

Fly to Athens (ATH), which is the nearest airport to Poros. For help finding flight information and prices, you may wish to try a flight search engine such as Skyscanner or Kayak.

From Athens, there are two routes to get to Poros. You can either get a ferry or hydrofoil from Piraeus Port, or you can book a private car to drive you directly to Poros.

Transfer to Piraeus Port

- If you choose to go by ferry, there is a direct subway from Athens airport which departs approx. every 30 mins. Hourly trains also run. Transfer time is just over an hour and costs around €9pp.
- A bus service can get you to the port for approx. €6pp, but with a slightly longer transfer time of 1.5 hours.

Piraeus Port to Poros

- - There are two types of ferry you can take from Piraeus Port.
  - High-Speed Hydrofoil (Flying Dolphin) – 1 hour
  - Regular Ferry – 2.5 hours
  - Ferries depart regularly from Piraeus Port, and tickets can be booked in advance via ferry booking websites. If you are arriving by ferry, your swim guide/s will meet you at the port in Poros and take you to the hotel.

Athens Airport to Poros - Private Taxi/Minibus alternative

Gina Kodela runs a local taxi firm who can provide a direct airport – Poros transfer for about 50€ per person. We will put you in touch with the swim group before the trip so that you can arrange to share a minibus should you wish.

Info@uniquegreektours.com (Gina Kodela) www.uniquegreektours.com/en +30 698 4261899

Leaving on Friday morning

Your guides will either transport you to Poros port for your return ferry, or help you to arrange a taxi if you have an earlier departure time.