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Swim Up Open Water

Swim Up Open Water

The camp where you take your pool technique out to sea: sighting, wetsuit, mass starts and pacing. Every session has safety cover.

October 2026, Kemer: a swimmer heads right across open water with a green tow float, another participant further off.

Water: Mediterranean, sheltered bay
Prerequisite: 400 m + pool assessment
Package: All inclusive except your wetsuit

Write to us Request a place

Last camp · 7

Select · 1–⁠4 October 2026

Completed · October 2026

Venue: Champion Holiday Village, Kemer
Water: Sheltered bays, with a support boat
Team: Esra Önen, Viktoriya Üçüncü, Marina Gubanova, Nida Eliz Üstündağ and assistant coaches
Prerequisite: 400 m + pool assessment
Included: Accommodation, meals and coaching; underwater technical analysis when the camp announcement includes it

Ask about dates See the camp Talk to us first

The next Open Water camp is being planned. When dates are announced, we reply to anyone who has written to us before the public announcement.

Who is this camp for?

Pool swimmers who want to move into open water with confidence
Triathletes who want a stronger swim leg
Masters swimmers preparing for a strait or bay crossing
Anyone who wants to stay calm in a mass start

400 mof continuous swimming, plus a short pool assessment on day one. At sea, safety is not up for negotiation.

Four days

From pool to sea, step by step.

We measure and explain in the pool, then correct at sea. The exact programme is shared for each camp.

October 2026, Kemer: a participant on the pier ladder, about to enter the sea, the Taurus Mountains behind.

Measure

Pool assessment

Underwater filming, a first try in your wetsuit and the safety briefing.

October 2026, Kemer: a participant swims freestyle with a green tow float, a second swimmer just behind.

Explain

Analysis and first sea session

The coaches go through the footage with you and explain your faults; then sighting, a straight line and breathing rhythm.

October 2026, Kemer: three people sit on the bow during the boat day, open sea ahead.

Correct

Starts and buoys

Mass starts, buoy turns and drafting.

Five swimmers standing in a row on the pier, buoys at their waists.

Correct

Long distance

A long swim with a support boat; drone footage when conditions allow.

Depending on the weather and circumstances, the coaches and the organisers may change the programme.

Technique · sea

Sighting and buoy turns.

In the pool the wall shows you the way; at sea nothing does. We explain both skills on shore, then practise them in the water.

October 2026, Kemer: a participant swims freestyle in open water with an orange tow float, surrounded by sea. — **Sighting**Lift your head only until your eyes clear the water. Your gaze stays on the far buoy and your body stays long.

October 2026, Kemer: two participants swim side by side with green tow floats in deep blue water. — **Buoy turns**The line hugs the buoy and turns tight. Which shoulder you turn on is set in the course briefing.

October 2026, Kemer: a calm bay at the foot of Mount Tahtalı, a gulet anchored near the shore. — Venue and water
Most recently Champion Holiday Village, Kemer. Open water sessions take place in the Phaselis bays, with a support boat. Venues

Safety

Safety is not up for negotiation.

Boat and lifeguardA support boat and a lifeguard at every open water session.
Tow float requiredEvery swimmer goes in with a bright tow float, easy to spot from the boat.
Pre-session checkWeather, sea state and currents are checked before every session.
Emergency protocolAn emergency plan and a line to the nearest medical centre are in place.

The coaches for this camp

Beside you at sea.

The whole Swim Up team. Esra, Viktoriya and Marina are at every camp; the other coaches join per camp, and each camp page names its team.

Portrait of Esra Önen. — Esra Önen
Founder and coach
Level 3 Senior Swimming Coach

Portrait of Viktoriya Üçüncü. — Viktoriya Üçüncü
Head coach
Level 3 Senior Swimming Coach

Portrait of Marina Gubanova. — Marina Gubanova
Yoga and breathwork
Yoga instructor · Masters swimmer

Portrait of Nida Eliz Üstündağ. — Nida Eliz Üstündağ
Coach
National Olympic swimmer · Psychologist

Portrait of Ekaterina Avramova. — Ekaterina Avramova
Coach
National Olympic swimmer · IISA European Ice Swimming Champion

Previous Open Water camps

Previous camps

October 2026, Kemer: participants and coaches of the Swim Up Open Water Select camp gather behind the Swim Up banner.

07 · Select

Champion Holiday Village, Kemer

1–⁠4 October 2026

05 · Open Water

Sarımsaklı, Ayvalık

5–⁠7 September 2025

FAQ

Open water questions.

If your question isn't here, talk to us first.

I have never swum in open water. Is this camp right for me?

Yes, if you can swim 400 metres without stopping. We do a short pool assessment on day one. Groups are split by level, and nobody is put into a set they cannot keep up with.

Do I need a wetsuit?

You bring your own wetsuit; none is provided or hired out at camp. After you apply we share a recommendation based on the water temperature, and you try it in the pool on day one.

How is safety handled?

Every session has a support boat and a lifeguard, and a tow float is compulsory. Weather, sea state and currents are checked before each session.

Do I keep the footage?

Yes. After camp, your recordings and analysis notes are shared with you digitally.

The next Open Water camp is being planned.The next Open Water camp is being planned.

A question, or curious about dates? Write to us and our team replies. Nothing binds you.

Get in touch Request a place Talk to us first

Three camps, three waters.

Swim Up Winter

Swim Up Summer