Swimming Camp in Geneva, Switzerland June 2024

Dear Jon Spriggs and Ryan Kelly,

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to both of you and for the wonderful week we spent with SwimSwitzerland. Your professional organization, kindness, and hospitality have made our Switzerland swimming trip an unforgettable and memorable experience.

The breathtaking swimming locations in the picturesque mountain landscapes have fascinated us. Whether it was the hidden Arnensee, the impressive Lac Gruyère, or the charming Lac de Tanay - each place had its own unique beauty and tranquility.

We were truly touched by the exceptional hospitality and care you provided throughout our stay. Your delicious home-cooked breakfasts and dinners at the charming Chalet brought us together as a group. The thoughtful addition of the motored boat and stand-up paddleboards allowed us to enjoy thrilling water activities after the training in the lakes. And Ryan taking many photos and videos for us during our training. These are all very thoughtful arrangements which we would like to extend our sincere gratitude

We feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from your expertise and bask in the beauty of Switzerland under your care. Your passion, professionalism, and genuine warmth have left a lasting impression on us, and we are already looking forward to our next adventure with SwimSwitzerland.

Thank you for making our trip so special. We are deeply grateful for your exceptional service and cannot recommend SwimSwitzerland highly enough.

Glacier 3000

Glacier 3000 in Switzerland is a breathtaking natural wonder that offers a unique alpine experience. This expansive glacier, situated high in the Swiss Alps, provides visitors with stunning panoramic views of snowcapped peaks and vast icy landscapes.

We reached the top of Glacier 3000 via the world's highest cable car, the Peak Walk by Tissot. This modern cable car system transports visitors from the village of Les Diablerets up to the Scex Rouge mountain station at an elevation of 3,000 meters (9,842 feet).

Glacier 3000 offers several dedicated viewpoints and observation decks that provide panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks, including the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger mountains.

But the true highlight came as we gazed down upon the serene waters of Lac Arnensee, the very lake we had swum in just days earlier on June 17th. Seeing this picturesque alpine lake from the lofty heights of Glacier 3000 was a truly breathtaking moment, seamlessly connecting our adventures across this stunning Swiss landscape.

Walked around Gstaad.

Then finished the day by spending our spa time at Solbad Wellness & Spa.

We have so much fun.

Lac Arnensee

Arnensee is a lake in canton of Bern, Switzerland.

Surface elevation
1,542 m (5,059 ft)

Max. length
1.5 km

Surface area
0.456 km2

Water temperature
14 degrees Celsius

The shopping gang visited the Coop to buy our lunch and snacks for today before heading to another lake swim.

After the challenging hike and swim in the frigid waters of Lac de Tanay, the group continued our training regimen at La Piscine de Villeneuve, a beautiful 50-meter outdoor pool situated along the shores of Lake Geneva.

In contrast to the cold alpine lake, the temperature of the pool water at La Piscine de Villeneuve is more temperate and comfortable at 21 degrees Celsius, allowing the group to focus on their techniques and endurance without the shock of the icy mountain water.

Lac de Tanay

Today we swam in Lac de Tanay.

Lac de Tanay is a picturesque alpine lake located at an elevation of 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) in the Swiss canton of Valais. The road leading to the lake is closed to private vehicles.

To reach the lake, Alvin, Ringo, and I had to hike uphill for 3.5 km through the steep mountain terrain. This challenging hike, which I found more demanding than the actual swim, was part of the training required to enjoy the serene beauty of Lac de Tanay.

The lake is surrounded by the Jumelles twin peaks, Grammont and Col du Taney, creating a stunning natural backdrop. However, the water temperature in Lac de Tanay is quite cold, ranging from 14 to 15 degrees Celsius. When the group entered the water, the sudden chill caused our skin to feel like it was burning, and some even had difficulty breathing during the first few hundred meters of swimming.

Despite the challenging hike and the cold water, the natural beauty and tranquility of Lac de Tanay made the experience a rewarding one for the group. The isolation and scenic surroundings of this alpine gem create a sense of serenity and connection with the natural world.

We swam in Lac Gruyère this afternoon.

Le Gruyère

We visited the cheese factory.

It takes 400 litres of milk to make 35kg of cheese.

We had lunch there and some of us ordered cheese fondue.

We visited Masion Ca***er.

Switzerland’s oldest chocolate brand still in existence.

We discovered the history of chocolate in the interactive Ca***er Museum. We found
out all about Ca***er’s history – from its first factory opening in 1898 to present day.

The best part of course was the chocolate tasting all you can eat.

Weather is not too agreeable this morning.

We will try doing the lake swim in the afternoon.

At the moment, share with you some photos of the beautiful scenery.

Jon made us dinner at the Chalet.

Spent 2.5 hours at Les bains de villars doing strokes analysis in the indoor pool and relaxing in the outdoor spa pool.

Just finished lunch. Weather is not too good today. Heading to the pool now.

Arrival at the Chalet in Geneva.

Happy team

Some snapshots in Amsterdam