In the midst of winter training, a time generally spent with hours of grueling work in the pool, there is often one highlight that helps pull a tired swimmer into the holiday spirit: training trips. For college swimmers, winter break is rarely a true vacation. Instead, it’s one of the more demanding parts of the season, filled with double practices, long sets and early mornings. Training trips offer a change of scenery to highlight the demanding schedule. From South Florida to Puerto Rico, here are a few of the coolest and most popular training trips taken by college teams this past winter.
Pompano Beach, Florida
Florida has long been a go-to destination for winter training trips, and Pompano Beach continues to be one of the most popular stops along the East Coast of the Sunshine State. Located near Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach offers sunshine, mild winter temperatures and access to great aquatic facilities. This year, schools like Florida State University and the University of Vermont traveled to Pompano.
For swimmers spending most of the year training indoors or in the cold, the opportunity to practice outside in December is a major draw. Warm air, blue skies and minimal weather issues allows teams to maintain training volume without the cold of winter bearing down. Beyond the pool, the beach itself becomes part of the recovery process as well.
San Diego, California
While Florida dominates the winter training conversation, San Diego provides a West Coast alternative with many of the same benefits. Known for its year-round mild climate, San Diego offers comfortable temperatures that are ideal for high-intensity training without the intense heat of other destinations. San Diego is also home to a strong swimming culture and nice facilities, making it a reliable destination for teams to travel to during the winter. Teams like the University of Wisconsin and the University of Puget Sound went to San Diego this year.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Few places are as great for competitive swimming as Fort Lauderdale. The city has a long-standing reputation for being a swimming hub, attracting athletes from all levels year round. During winter break, Fort Lauderdale becomes particularly busy as college swim and dive teams take advantage of the city’s sensational facilities and ideal weather conditions. This winter break, Fort Lauderdale hosted teams such as Army and the University of Michigan.
Deerfield Beach, Florida
Just north of Fort Lauderdale sits Deerfield Beach, another South Florida destination that has grown in popularity for winter training trips. Similar to neighboring cities, Deerfield Beach offers warm weather, outdoor training opportunities, and a great atmosphere for intense training. Teams like Yale University and Bowdoin College traveled to Deerfield Beach this past training trip.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico stands out as one of the most exciting and memorable training trip destinations. While Florida may be more convenient, Puerto Rico provides something different: a true sense of travel. The island’s climate allows for outdoor training in winter, while the out-of-country experience makes the trip feel special. This past break, some names that stood out were Duke and Boston College.
Naples, Florida
On Florida’s west coast, Naples offers a slightly different training environment. Known for its calmer (and warmer) waters and relaxed downtown, Naples provides a great place for swimmers in the winter. Naples also has several great aquatic facilities to offer to swimmers looking for a break from the cold. Schools such as New York University and Notre Dame traveled to Naples, Florida this past winter.
While the locations may vary, the purpose of winter training trips remains the same. Focused on difficult training and building strong team bonds, these trips help lay the groundwork for the championship season.