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Technique & Explore With Cassie Patten

  • Multiple dates
  • Mathraki Island, Greece
  • From £1,699pp
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Technique sessions from olympic open water medallist Cassie Patten, with a chance to put your new skills into practice in the afternoons with glorious inter-island and coastal swims.
Duration
6 Nights
Distance per day
1-3.5km
Water temperature
20-25°C
Max. group size
12
Ability level
All Abilities
Swim type
Open Water, Sea
Technique coaching
Included

Each day blends guided technique sessions with open-water swims around the stunning Diapontia Islands – bay swims, coastal explorations and inter-island crossings, all tailored to the group. Distances build gently through the week (1–3.5km per day), and you’ll never be pushed beyond what feels right for you.

Cassie Patten won a Bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in the 10km open water marathon swim – one of the most gruelling events in the sport. She is also one of the most gifted teachers in the water: patient, perceptive, and brilliant at finding the small adjustments that make the biggest difference.

Highlights

World-class coaching

As well as being an Olympic medallist, Cassie is Head Coach at Wavecrest Swimming, and we work closely with her to allow swimmers of every ability to improve their confidence, speed and efficiency in the open water.

Our quiet home for the week

Mathraki has a population of approximately 50 people, and our group stays at Hotel Paradise, the only hotel on the island - meaning it's not unusual for the group to have the entire hotel, and the island, to themselves.

A variety of stunning swims

The week combines coastal, inter-island and exploration swims. You will enjoy crystal clear water, shallow beaches, marine caves, undersea rock formations, and swims to the uninhabited islands of Trachia, Platia and Diapolos.

Warm Greek hospitality

Guests will enjoy wonderful Greek hospitality with delicious home-cooked lunches daily prepared by our wonderful hosts at Hotel Paradise, plus a mid-week BBQ with some island locals.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival and acclimatisation

We will meet at the villa late afternoon for the mandatory safety briefing. Topics will include: swim preparation, swim routes, feeding, prevailing weather,  and safety procedures prior to the acclimatisation swim. Once completed, we will swim in the shallow bay by the hotel. This allows Cassie and the guides to assess your stroke and if necessary, adapt your personal itinerary. Once completed, we will then relax and have dinner during which we will discuss the week ahead. If for any reason guests are unavoidably delayed, the briefing may be deferred to Sunday morning.
Day 2

Introduction to technique and a coastal swim

The day is designed to be easy, allowing you to settle in after your journey. After breakfast we will begin our first technique session with Cassie, consisting of a land based talk followed by a sea technique session. Back at the hotel after lunch, prior to the second swim, we will film your stroke both above and below the water. We will then continue with another coastal swim. Later in the day the swim guides will play back the swim films, offering both advice and encouragement on your swim stroke. This will be a continuing theme throughout the week with regular filming to help you improve your stroke technique.
Day 3

Blind swimming and Trachia to Mathraki

After breakfast, we will start another technique session with Cassie, with a focus on open water swimming specifically. Cassie shares her expert advice on how to approach swimming in rough water, how to sight, and getting to know your strengths in a sea swimming environment. After lunch we will board the boat and make our way to the island of Trachia where we will look to swim around the island, enjoying the beautiful warm sea, rock formations and sea life. We will then swim back to Mathraki Island, just slightly north of Nisos Mathrakion. It will be our first inter-island swim (2.5-3km) and a great way to finish the day. Once completed, we will make our way back to the hotel for some relaxation time prior to dinner at a local taverna.
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Accommodation

Hotel Paradise
    Free Wifi Restaurant Bar

In Mathraki we stay at the family run Hotel Paradise. As Hotel Paradise is the only hotel on the island, it’s not unusual for us to have the hotel (and the island!) to ourselves. Our local hosts Giorgos, Giannis and Nora provide fantastic home-cooked food and local knowledge, and look forward to welcoming you.

Rooms
There are just seven rooms in the hotel. Unless you wish to opt for a sole use room supplement at £340, rooms are allocated on a twin / double share basis. Please indicate your room choice on the booking form when booking. Rooms are subject to availability.
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What's included

Included
  • Accommodation for the week
  • Swimming, assisted by safety boats where required and always escorted by swim guide/s
  • Technique coaching, stroke filming
  • Seminars
  • Breakfasts
  • Traditional home-cooked lunches (except lunch on one day when we will eat in Arillas, weather permitting)
  • Safety boats
  • Swim guides
  • A SwimQuest poncho and a SwimQuest swim cap
  • VAT
  • ABTOT Financial Protection
Not included
  • Travel to and from Mathraki
  • Wetsuits and fins (if required)
  • Evening meals and one lunch (when we will take you to a taverna in Arillas)
  • Alcohol / soft drinks / ice creams (we run an honesty bar system)
  • Single room supplements / upgrades

Getting there

Getting to Mathraki
Trip begins Saturday afternoon
Fly to Corfu

Fly to Corfu airport (IBZ). For help finding flight information and prices, you may wish to try a flight search engine such as Skyscanner or Kayak. 

 

We advise you land in Corfu around lunchtime on Saturday.

Taxi to Agios Stefanos harbour

We arrange a taxi to pick up the group at 2.15pm from Hotel Bretagne (a short 5 min walk up the road from the airport). You are welcome to opt into this group taxi which will take you all to Agios Stefanos harbour ready for your boat transfer to Mathraki at 4pm. 

 

If you would like to book your own transfer we recommend booking through Corfu Holiday Taxis. Dimitris and his team will look after you and are familiar with SwimQuest and how to get to Agios Stefanos Harbour for your downward journey to Mathraki. Simply email info@corfuholidaytaxi.com, use the website www.corfuholidaytaxi.com or call 0030 6972767803. Tell them you are going to Mathraki with the swimmers.

 

Alternatively, come out of arrivals and you will see the taxi rank in front of you. An airport taxi to Agios Stefanos harbour is approximately €70-110. Make sure the taxi driver knows which Agios Stefanos harbour you need (emphasise ‘West’ and that you’re heading onto Mathraki). The taxi journey takes approximately 50 minutes.

Boat transfer to Mathraki

To circumvent all local ferry times (which an be extremely unpredictable) our hoteliers on Mathraki Island offer a sea taxi service from Agios Stefanos harbour. This will run at 4pm on your arrival day, and 8am on the departure day, and costs €55pp for the return journey. Should you wish to get across to the island outside of these times, it is possible to book a private transfer for €120 each way.

Trip finishes Friday morning

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