Sporting holiday experiences: hanging out and training with the professionals

Annabel Croft coaching tennis at Pine Cliffs resort.

As we prepare to become glued to our television sets to watch world class athletes competing in Paris some of us might be dreaming of raising our own games. 

Watching elite Olympians in peak condition compete for the top prize makes for riveting viewing but there are very few of us who could even hope to reach their level of fitness and skill.

However, just because you aren’t heading to Paris to take part in the world’s greatest games, doesn’t mean that you can’t learn from the best on a sports-coached holiday.

If you dream of an active holiday that combines expert tuition from a sports pro, there are great opportunities in many fields. 

Learning techniques and tips from someone who’s competed at the highest levels is a once-in-a-lifetime chance and a rewarding way to spend some holiday time. 

Immerse yourself in your favourite sport and improve your own performance by booking into one of these specialised athlete-led holidays and camps.

Tennis in Portugal

For the younger generation, Annabel Croft may be a household name due to her participation in Strictly Come Dancing, but she was also Britain’s number one tennis player and is sharing her racquet skills at a special tennis camp in Portugal. 

Suitable for anyone looking to improve their technique over the course of a holiday, the five-day camps include ten hours of coaching, focusing on different skills each day. 

The lesson packages can also be crafted to suit individuals, couples, groups and even children from the age of four.

• Escape notes: Adult holidays for up to four people start from €365 for five days at the Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve while a two bedroom cottage (sleeping 4) costs from €630 per night for July 2024 and €370 per night for October 2024. See pinecliffs.com or mail [e-mail]

Swimming in Tenerife

For those who like to train outdoors, the Irish weather isn’t always kind to swimmers, but the opportunity to swim in warm water at any time of the year, makes Tenerife Top Training the ideal choice for those wanting to perfect their stroke this year.

The high performance academy has a number of outdoor pools, including a FINA-approved 50 metre Olympic pool, all of which have a constant temperature of between 26-28 degrees all year round. 

Professional coaches, including Swedish Olympian Glen Christiansen, are on hand to offer advice on how to improve performance and training and the centre also has a wide range of training equipment.

• Escape notes: Training from €450 per week at tenerifetoptraining.com. Following your intensive training session, relax at the Royal Hideaway Corales Resort, which is just a short walk from the academy. B&B from €340 per room, barcelo.com

High-altitude running in Kenya

Running in Africa

If running is your thing, then there can’t be anything more exhilarating than running across the African plains. 

Kenya Experience offers high-altitude training camps in Iten for runners of all levels — whether solo travellers, groups or running clubs. With an emphasis on doing it ‘the Kenyan way’, the camps include workshops, guided runs with experts, including international athlete Richard Mukche, who is one of the best known runners in the region — and throughout his international career was the chief training partner and pacemaker for Lornah Kiplagat, who broke multiple world records during that period.

Since his retirement from racing, Mukche has been busy coaching the Turkish national team and served as manager of the High Altitude Training Centre in Iten, so is well placed to offer expert advice to running enthusiasts.

• Escape notes: Two week camp, including full board, activities and coaching costs from €1,580. Shorter and longer periods may also be booked, traininkenya.com

Cycling in Majorca and France

Cycling enthusiasts will jump at the chance of taking to the open road with professional cyclists, including the legendary Sean Kelly. 

Riding in a group and socialising together in stunning locations in both the Mediterranean island of Majorca and also the French Riviera and Alps, these holidays balance warm weather training with the opportunity to explore the great outdoors on your own steam.

Along with guided tours and expert advice, there will also be time for relaxation on the beach, in the spa or poolside after the three- to five-hour daily cycle.

• Escape notes: Groups are organised according to ability and the seven-day trip costs from €980 per person, including half-board, sportactive.net

Triathlon training on the road between Uga and San Bartolome in Lanzarote.

Triathlon in Lanzarote

With three 50m pools and a saltwater pool, running tracks and a large bike centre Club La Santa in Lanzarote is a top destination for triathletes eager to perfect their skills. The training academy offers tuition from professional coaches, who have competed in both triathlons and Iron Man competitions and along with practical training advice, are also on hand to improve performances with data and science from the Sports Performance Studio. 

Specialist options include a women’s only triathlon camp, a long distance triathlon camp and open water swim camp for triathletes. The venue is also surrounded by running and cycling tracks for those who want to diversify and enjoy a change of scenery.

• Escape notes: Prices vary depending on dates and programme selected. For more information see clublasanta.co.uk

Showjumping in Italy

When it comes to stunning scenery and fabulous weather, it would be hard to beat Italy as a destination for anyone wishing to combine their summer break with honing their equestrian skills. 

Professional show jumping coaches, experienced trainers and top equestrian facilities are available at the Monterosato academy. 

Affiliated to the National Equestrian Federation of the Italian Olympic Committee (FiseConi), would-be guests are asked to submit some short videos clips of their riding.

These videos will be reviewed by the pros on site who will chat to you to evaluate your form and create a custom programme and match you with the best horse for your holiday. 

With a team of international show jumping pros, and a selection of quartz sand arenas and a 1.2km cross-country course, the location and training combined promise to take your riding skills to the next level.

• Escape notes: Classes feature both flatwork and jumping in either private or groups of between 2 and 4 riders of similar abilities. Five days of tuition and three nights accommodation from €1,350 per person sharing. monterosato.com

Fresh powder at Blackcomb, Whistler

Skiing in Canada

Hit the slopes on your skis or snowboard with an Olympian in Whistler, Canada’s top winter resort. 

With 13 pro competitors on hand, including local woman Ashleigh MacIvor, Ski Cross World Champion and Olympic Gold medallist, Whistler Blackcomb’s Snow School’s most exclusive programme allows you learn from the best. 

Follow in their tracks, copy their technique or hear their stories while enjoying slope style skiing or freestyle mogul, alpine skiing, ski cross or slalom. 

Go one-on-one or make a group with up to four family or friends of similar ability for one price. Whistler Blackcomb will pair you up with a pro for a downhill day to remember.

• Escape notes: Levels 1-6, off-peak private from CAN$1,249-$1,499 (approx. €839-1,007). Full day gold medallist private skiing CAN$2,500 (approx. €1,679), whistlerblackcomb.com

Soccer escapes in Portugal

Youth soccer in Portugal

Portugal’s swanky Quinta do Lago resort sits within the Algarve and the privacy of the Ria Formosa nature reserve. 

The five-star resort may be best known for its golf, but it is also home to The Campus, a state-of-the-art multi-sports facility that hosts, amongst many sports, private football camps for girls and boys aged 5-15. 

With a stadium-quality pitch and some of Portugal’s best training facilities, keen footballers can sign up to special camps lead by ex-Premier League ambassadors — including former Irish international Shane Long — and supported by Uefa-licensed coaches. 

Running across five days, each day’s session lasts two hours, with participants receiving a personalised kit and medal upon completion of the camp.

• Escape notes: B&B at The Magnolia Hotel from €157. Family Cottages from €309 per night on a B&B basis, themagnoliahotelqdl.com. 
• For other camps see footballescapes.com.

3 more to try 

Basketball in Tenerife

Join the Crosser Basketball Academy in Tenerife, a prestigious high-performance training school for personalised instruction and training from professional international coaches.

• From €650, crosserbasketball.com 

Badminton in England

Professional coach and player James Elkin hosts comprehensive badminton camps in Oxley. 12 hours+ on the court and suitable for all levels of skill. 

• A weekend in August costs £180 including accommodation. Email [e-mail].

Fencing in Sardinia

Forte Village’s new fencing camp in Southern Sardinia is a partnership with the International Fencer Council. 

It’s the newest additional to the luxury resort’s multiple sports academies that include every sport imaginable, from the Fundación Real Madrid Clinic and Ettore Messina Basketball Academy to rugby, netball, hockey, padel and more.

• ortevillageresort.com