A summer swimming camp abroad can make the difference for a competitive swimmer between a good season and a great one. But the choice between countries, locations and providers is huge. In this article we set out the key factors.
Why a summer camp abroad?
Three reasons why Dutch swimmers increasingly choose a summer camp abroad:
- 50m pools — the Netherlands has only a handful of 50m pools, and in summer they are often closed or only limitedly available
- Climate — warm water + warm weather = more quality hours in the water without getting cold
- International coaches — top venues attract coaches from several countries, which brings a different coaching culture than at home
The best countries for a summer camp
Italy — a top venue for the May half-term
Italy is one of the top venues for competitive swimming camps. Many hotels in northern and central Italy have 50m outdoor pools with good infrastructure. The Italians have historically understood competitive swimming well — think of names like Federica Pellegrini and Gregorio Paltrinieri. At ZwemExpert we go to Italy in the May half-term: see ZwemExpert Competitive Swimming Summer Camp 2026 for dates and places.
Spain — the summer destination
On its southern coast (Andalusia, the Costa del Sol) Spain offers excellent swimming infrastructure. The warm summers make long training blocks possible. At ZwemExpert we run a camp in Torremolinos during the summer holidays — see ZwemExpert Competitive Swimming Summer Camp 2026 for all the details.
France and Portugal
Good alternatives, especially if your child prefers a quieter location. The choice is smaller, so booking early is extra important here.
When is the best period?
For swimmers who have an important competition in September/October, late July or early August is the optimal period. Our ZwemExpert Competitive Swimming Summer Camp 2026 falls exactly in this sweet spot.
For swimmers who want to peak towards the summer long-course season, the May half-term is ideal — our ZwemExpert Competitive Swimming Summer Camp 2026 is designed around this.
What should you check?
- Pool depth and lanes — at least 1.80m deep, 8 lanes of 50m
- Pool availability — exclusive to the group, or shared with hotel guests? This makes an enormous difference to training quality
- What's in the price? Flight, transfer, meals, all sessions — ask this explicitly
- Insurance and supervision — for minors, professional 24/7 supervision is crucial
What does a summer camp abroad cost?
For 7 days with everything included you're looking at €1,800-€2,400 in 2026. Cheaper than that should make you suspicious — ask exactly what is missing. At ZwemExpert a supervised flight, transfer, all meals and all sessions are included as standard.
How do you book the right camp?
- Talk to your child's coach — does this camp fit the season?
- Read last year's reviews, ideally from swimmers of a similar level
- Ask for a short intake before you commit — a good camp also wants to know whether you're a fit
See the full range on our camps page or schedule a no-obligation call via contact.