CTB 40: Training in Stellenbosch, South Africa - pure bliss!

Why Stellenbosch?

With awesome training facilities, fantastic weather, the inverse seasonality of the Southern hemisphere, great food (and wine) and relative affordability, Stellenbosch is the established destination of choice for athletes. Triathletes, runners, swimmers, cyclists and rugby players come to Stellenbosch to train during the European winter. Also, American athletes are discovering Stellenbosch as a more exotic, versatile and fun alternative to their local training Mecca in Boulder, Colorado.

In December-January, expect temperatures between 25 and 30C, 10-11 hours of sunshine every day and your training to be pure bliss! This is how your training day could look like:

You will leave early morning for a bike ride, rolling through vineyards and undulating plains of Swartlands, climbing the Franschhoek mountains or enjoying the views along the ocean. You can stop at a local coffee shop or a “mall” for a refreshment and most vineyards welcome cyclists too. If you are used to cycling with music or audiobooks, you should really leave those earphones at home because you will not want to be distracted from the breathtaking views or spotting an occasional zebra or ostrich.

After the bike ride, you might want to cool down with an active recovery swim at the 50m open-air pool of University of Stellenbosch. You will most probably have one of 10 lanes just for yourself, since all the students will be on their long summer break. The water is so nice and swimming under the blue sky in December (and equalising your cycling tan) is such a pleasure, that you will not want to end your swim.

And to finish your day, why not go for a sunset run or hike on the soft grounds of the Stellenbosch mountain park among protea bushes? For a faster session, you can choose the newly upgraded track, also on the University grounds, right next to the pool. And if you are in a romantic mood and not alone, take a bottle of Gatorade (or better, local wine) and hike to the top of the Stellenbosch mountain to experience an unforgettable African sunset.

But it is not only the training, in top facilities and surrounded by the beauty of nature, that makes Stellenbosch so unique. It is what the area (and South Africa in general) has to offer in addition to your training that will make your stay truly unforgettable.

First, it is the local food - fresh, innovative and very affordable. And local wines - Stellenbosch vineyards produce some of the finest in the world. Go for wine tasting in one of 121 Stellenbosch vineyards and be surprised how good even the cheapest of their wines are. Do not miss the opportunity to dine in one of the fine restaurants too. For the price of a main course in Europe, you will be served a 3-course gourmet menu, paired with wines.

Second, it is the open, young and welcoming culture of the University town of Stellenbosch, full of cafés, restaurants, bars and arts shops. Unlike on your usual camp in La Santa or Playitas, you can actually make contact with local people and talk about something not related to triathlon.

And finally, it is the opportunity to combine your training with visiting more of diverse South Africa: from cosmopolitan Cape Town with its iconic Table Mountain (yes, as a fit triathlete you can run or hike up it and avoid tourist crowds at the cable car) to the many National Parks where you can look for the “big five” or an elusive aardvark.

I could write a book about amazing South Africa – but I suggest you better go experience it yourself! Start with our 1 week training camp in Stellenbosch in December – and have the vacation of a lifetime!

Our services for you:

We have hand-picked and tested everything we’re offering you in terms of training facilities and logistics, so you can have the experience described above.

The accommodation is reserved in two small historic homes, with stylish and spacious self-catering rooms, within 700m of the pool, stadium and gym of Stellenbosch University and close to the famous Dorp street, with its cafés, restaurants and shops.

We will have a vehicle to accompany us on our rides and Coach Tatjana will guide each training session and provide individual training and technique guidance.

There will also be wine tasting and a gala-dinner organised for all participants in one of the amazing vineyards around Stellenbosch, so you can experience this part of local life with us too.

So, the spirit of this camp is to train, improve, learn, explore, make new friends and enjoy your time!

Hurry up since accommodation and flights are selling out fast!

Booking deadline: May 20th. 

Package price: CHF 1900 / EUR 1690 p.P.

Includes: self-catering accommodation in a shared double-room (8 nights), guided training, access to the pool and gym, wine tasting and one gala-dinner.

Please request pricing for special arrangements (airport transfers, individual occupancy, accompanying non-athletes, sightseeing …)

We look forward to welcoming you at our training camp!

All questions and booking confirmation to coachtatjana@gmail.com