2024 dates: September 21-27
Price: £1,590pp
GET SWIMMING LESSONS FROM FRONT CRAWL TECHNIQUE SPECIALIST RAY GIBBS ON ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST SPECTACULAR, AWARD-WINNING BEACHES
Soak up some late season sun and improve your swimming in Formentera, just a short boat ride from Ibiza. If you would like to improve your technique and learn some open water skills, then this swimming holiday will suit you.
On this tour Ray Gibbs joins us as guest coach for a solid week of technique coaching. Ray and the SwimQuest team will closely monitor you, and help you to improve your swimming. This tour will combine morning technique sessions in the pool and the sea, with an opportunity to put your new skills into practice with bay and coastal swimming in the afternoons. The week is suitable for swimmers of all abilities. We should emphasise that this week is about refining your technique, not completing huge distances at speed.
IS THIS WEEK FOR ME?
This technique tour suitable for all ability levels. Because of our small group sizes (max 14), we can ensure that every individual receives one-to-one advice and stroke analysis, as well as the opportunity to complete some stunning open water coastal swims. With a combination of video analysis sessions, pool sessions, seminars and open water coastal swims, this is a varied week resulting in lots of new skills and drills to take home. This tour takes place in September/October, so that you can return home with a wealth of knowledge and skills to practice over the winter months.ABOUT RAY GIBBS
We are delighted to welcome back Ray Gibbs from Swim Canary Wharf. With over 23 years swimming teaching experience, Ray Gibbs has developed a clear step-by-step approach to stroke technique development, and now runs the swim school, Swim Canary Wharf. Ray focuses on tailored exercises which guests can take home and incorporate into their usual swimming routine.
ABOUT FORMENTERA
Formentera is a small Balearic island just off Ibiza, and home to some of our Technique and Improve Weeks. It is well known for its dazzlingly crystal clear waters and long stretches of beach, backed by dunes and pine trees. The island has definitely escaped Ibiza-style development, and instead retains a laid-back, tranquil place. John Coningham-Rolls has a long-standing history with Formentera: his grandparents owned a villa (Can Rolls) in the 50s, and since then John, and now SwimQuest, have maintained a relationship with the island.
Formentera has a magnetic pull for so many of our guests, who return year after year for the ice white sand and turquoise blue sea. The clarity of the water in Formentera is largely due to the Posidonia sea grass that grows on the sea floor. These under-sea meadows were one of the main reasons Formentera and Ibiza achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999. SwimQuest is proud to support the Save Posidonia Project and will sponsor one square metre of Posidonia meadow for each guest to book a Formentera trip in 2024.
Playa des Illetes, a popular swim spot on our trips, also won Trip Advisor’s ‘Best Beach in Europe’ award.
USEFUL INFORMATION
- Price £1,590 based a twin share room (see accommodation tab for single supplements and upgrades)
- Focus on swim technique, with pool and sea swimming and video analysis
- Minimum swimming requirement - basic (i.e. 100m front crawl)
- Average daily swimming - depends on ability, adaptable
- Approx sea temperature range: 23-25 ̊C
- Group size – up to 14 guests
- Age range – 16+ (for family enquiries, please contact the office)
- Are non-swimmers welcome? Absolutely – non-swimmers are welcome to join the tour and enjoy beautiful Formentera.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Accommodation at the 4* Roca Bella hotel on the beach of Es Pujols (see accommodation tab for details)
- Jam-packed swimming itinerary
- SwimQuest guide and Guest Coach Ray Gibbs
- Swim coaching and video analysis
- Both one-to-one and group technique sessions
- Breakfasts
- Lunches
- Transport to and from swim locations on the island
- Transfers from Formentera harbour to Roca Bella
- SwimQuest swim cap and gift
- VAT
WHATS NOT INCLUDED?
- Travel to and from Formentera harbour (guests are advised to fly into Ibiza, take a short taxi ride to Ibiza harbour and board one of the half hourly boats to Formentera - we will pick you up from Formentera harbour).
- Wetsuits and fins (optional)
- Evening meals
- Alcohol
- Single room supplement (see accommodation tab for details)
HOTEL ROCA BELLA
On this tour, you will stay in the friendly Hotel Roca Bella, situated on the beach of Es Pujols, moments away from crystal waters and Pujols town. Standard Rooms are allocated on a twin share basis. If you wish, you can choose sole occupancy, or upgrade to a Superior Room (only available as sole occupancy or double share), subject to availability.
standard twin room (SHARING PLACE)
£1,590pp - Standard rooms are simple but comfortable. They all have a terrace and sea view. There is the possibility to rent a fridge or to add a cot (to pay directly at the reception).
STANDARD TWIN ROOM (SOLE OCCUPANCY)
£1900 - if you would like your own private Standard room, a sole occupancy supplement of £310 will be added to your booking.
SUPERIOR ROOM UPGRADE (double share)
£1755pp - upgrade your double share room to a Superior for an extra £165 (Please note: these rooms do not offer a twin share set up so it is based on double share). Superior Rooms are located in the newer building of the hotel and are recently renovated. All have a terrace with a sea view.
SUPERIOR ROOM UPGRADE (Sole occupancy)
£2140 - if you would like your own private Superior room, a supplement of £550 will be added to your booking. THE ITINERARY
There are two planned swims per day based on how you progress during the week. Most days will also involve a swim seminar, or video feedback session. Please realise that the below is a very rough guide and that we will adapt the week carefully for each individual. Swim guides will advise you each day on what is best for you, but in all cases the main objective will be to encourage you to achieve your personal goals. You’re likely to surprise yourself!SATURDAY ACCLIMATISATION SWIM
We will meet at 5pm for the mandatory safety briefing. Topics covered include: swimming safely in open water, swim preparation, swim routes, prevailing weather, and safety procedures. We will then complete a short acclimatisation swim in a shallow bay by the villa. This allows Ray and the swim guides to assess your stroke and start preparing an individual plan for you for the week. Following this we will relax and have dinner, with time to discuss the week ahead. (If for any reason guests are unavoidably delayed, the briefing may be deferred to Sunday morning.)
SUNDAY: INTRODUCTION TO TECHNIQUE, FILMING, AND A BAY SWIM
The day is designed to be easy, allowing you to settle in after your journey. After breakfast we will complete the safety briefing (if not completed the night before) followed by the first swim. During the swim session the guides will film your stroke above and below the water. After lunch, Ray will give a land-based talk on swim technique, and you will be given points to focus on for the afternoon session. After dinner, we will watch the swim footage and each guest will be given detailed feedback to take through into Monday’s session.
MONDAY: THE OPEN WATER DIFFERENCE
This morning we will head to the award-winning carribean-white Playa de Illetes beach to put new skills into practice. Depending on your needs, you will be given drills and new skills to try out. After lunch, the focus will be on open water swimming: you will learn about sighting, waves and working with the water, before heading back into the sea.
TUESDAY: POOL SESSION & RELAXED OPEN WATER SWIM
After breakfast we will make our way to the pool for a structured swim technique session. This is a great opportunity for Ray to monitor your progress up close and give you personalised skills to work on for the afternoon session and to take away and practice at home. After lunch, we will complete a relaxed open water swim allowing you to stretch out and enjoy your new skills.
WEDNESDAY: UPPING THE DISTANCE
There will be optional one-to-one technique sessions with Ray before breakfast. After breakfast, we will travel by car to a local bay, and depending on the weather, will attempt a slightly longer continuous swim. In the afternoon there will be another land based technique session.
THURSDAY: INTO THE DEEP!
This is your last full day of swimming with two great seas swims. The morning swim is a coastal swim along the peninsula. With amazing shallow beaches along the way, it is the perfect way to stretch out and enjoy your new stroke. In the afternoon we will walk to Punta Prima and use the swim zone, but this time we will head out of the bay and swim back to the beach by the accommodation. The swim is a great way to see the coastline and some underwater sea life. Once back, there will be time to relax and then we will go into town for our last dinner together.FRIDAY SWIM AM: SHORT BAY SWIM
As this is the last day, there will be a short pre-breakfast bay swim as you will need to pack and prepare for your ferry back to Ibiza.
TRAVEL TO FORMENTERA
TRIP START / FINISH TIMES
- We will meet at 5pm on Saturday for introductions and safety briefing. We suggest arriving in Formentera at around 3pm to give you time to check into your room and settle in before the briefing. SwimQuest head office will ask for your travel times pre tour so that our swim guides can pick you up from Formentera harbour and take you to the hotel.
- The trip finishes after a sunrise swim and breakfast on Friday morning. Check out is at 10am. Please note, your swim guides will travel back to Ibiza on Friday morning so if you are staying on the island post checkout you may need to book a taxi back to Formentera harbour - the hotel reception can help you with this.
FLY TO IBIZA
Fly to Ibiza and then jump in a taxi from the airport to Ibiza harbour to get the ferry to Formentera (please budget approx. €15-20 for this taxi journey.) Taxis are regular just outside the airport. Tell the taxi driver you are going to get a ferry to Formentera and he / she will drop you off by the Formentera ticket kiosks. For the cheapest flight options, have a look at www.skyscanner.co.uk. If you would prefer to arrive a day early, we would recommend the cheap but friendly and comfortable Hotel el Puerto in Ibiza town, close to the ferry port.
FERRY FROM IBIZA TO FORMENTERA
There are a number of ferry companies offering a regular service (approx. every 30 minutes) from Ibiza to Formentera and back. Trasmappi, Balearia and Mediterranea–Pitiusa are popular options, cost the same and take the same amount of time (approx. 30 minute crossing). There is no need to buy a ticket in advance. Hint – when you buy a return ticket, it is worth checking that your return ferry journey allows you sufficient time to get to the airport, as you cannot transfer your ticket to another ferry provider and will have to purchase an additional single fare.AN EXTRA NIGHT IN IBIZA TOWN?
RECOMMENDED IN IBIZA TOWN:
Hotel el Puerto in Ibiza town is friendly and comfortable, and just a 2 minute walk from the ferry port should you need to arrive a day early / leave a day later. Please feel free to book a room through Lourdes in their reservations team. Tell them you are booking through SwimQuest and you can claim a 10% discount.HOTEL CONTACT:
CALLE CARLOS III, Nº 24. 07800 IBIZA // Contact number: 971.313812 FAX.971.317452 // E-mail: Lourdes at: reservas@ibizaelpuerto.com // Website: www.ibizaelpuerto.comWHAT DO I PACK?
- At least two Swimming costumes
- Wetsuit - optional*
- Two Pairs of swim goggles – ideally one clear and one tinted
- Tow float (required) - if you haven’t got one yet, you can purchase from our online shop here
- Rash vest (optional) - available from our online shop here
- Towel(s) although the hotel provide bath towels for in-hotel use
- Small daypack/rucksack to use for your personal equipment/clothing during the day (you will receive a 10L SwimQuest dry bag you can use for this purpose if you wish)
- Sandals/aqua shoes/flip flops – for getting wet
- Insect repellent & bite relief
- Fleece or warm jumper, tracksuit trousers/sweat pants
- Waterproof
- Sun hat, sun cream and glasses
- Travel insurance
HOLIDAY READING SUGGESTIONS
There's nothing better than packing a book to suit your holiday location! Author and adventure activist Jessica Hepburn has kindly put together some suggested 'Swimspiration' for Formentera here.READY TO BOOK?
We're excited about meeting you on tour. To book your swimming holiday, simply fill in the booking form below. Once you have submitted the form, Sarah (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch to request payment and to help you with any additional requirements. A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 10 weeks prior to departure. Payments can be made by debit / credit card, by cheque, or by bank transfer. SwimQuest is a proud member of the Travel Trust Association, the only travel network in the UK to guarantee 100% financial protection to the consumer, ensuring total consumer confidence.
In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here. If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us:
- Sarah Broadley | +44 7917 033670 | sarah@swimquest.uk.com
- Charlie Beere | +44 7563 389238 | charlotte@swimquest.uk.com
- Alice Todd | +44 7825 301443 | alice@swimquest.uk.com
Travel Insurance
As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities. Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim. Please note, if you are a UK resident and eligible for free health cover via the NHS, you do not need to take our a travel insurance policy for our UK based trips. You may still wish to take out insurance to cover you for events such as trip cancellation, luggage and personal liability.World Nomads Travel Insurance
World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travellers for travellers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.United Kingdom
If you are travelling from the US or another country, we suggest you use a travel insurance comparison site based in your own country in order to decide on a suitable policy.
