Lake Geneva Swimming Association

SwimStronger with Jen - Week #1

Sunday 11th - Thursday 15th July 2027

Evian-les-Bains, France

Discover Your Open Water Potential in Stunning Surroundings

Experience a transformative 5-day camp designed to refine your technique, build endurance and strengthen the psychological skills needed for long-distance open water swimming. Led by world-record holder and elite coach Jennifer Dutton, this retreat uses the majestic Lake Geneva as the ultimate training ground.

This camp offers highly individualised, kinaesthetically sound coaching, with an emphasis on shoulder-safe swimming and the crucial mental aspects of long-distance swimming. Whether you are preparing for an open water marathon, a triathlon or a Masters race, or simply looking to increase your enjoyment of the water, you will leave with a more powerful, efficient and confident stroke.

Numbers are limited to ensure a low coach-to-swimmer ratio. Book your place today!

Camp Highlights

• Daily Open Water Sessions: Focused practice in Lake Geneva on sighting, pacing, navigating currents and managing open water anxiety.

• Stroke Analysis & Technique Clinics: Expert video analysis and personalised drill recommendations focused on improving efficiency and promoting shoulder-safe swimming, both key to developing a faster, more effective stroke. 

• Mental Toughness Training: Discussions, problem-solving and in-water practice dedicated to strengthening the psychological “muscle” which is crucial for long swims. 

• Tailored Feedback: Workouts and coaching are adapted to each swimmer’s experience and goals, from dedicated pool swimmers and triathletes to Channel aspirants and experienced marathon swimmers. Jen is known for meeting swimmers where they are and helping them progress as individuals.

• Beautiful Lakeside Location: Stay in the beautiful lakeside surroundings of Evian-les-Bains, a charming spa town with inspiring views of Lake Geneva, the nearby mountains and Lavaux vineyards.

The SwimStronger Philosophy and Training

Jennifer’s coaching brand, SwimStronger, is rooted in decades of experience and a strong understanding of physiology. The philosophy is simple: adapting style, language and priorities to fit each individual athlete. Jen’s approach combines

• Kinaesthetic soundness with an emphasis on analysing movement patterns and explaining how to improve them for increased speed and/or injury avoidance.  

• Mental mastery to gain confidence on the mental and psychological aspects of long swims. Jen has a solid base of sports psychology and is a certified advanced coach by AFSA. She combines this with her own experience as a swimmer and a coach.

• Shoulder health is paramount, with technique clinics built around “shoulder-safe swimming” to help swimmers keep swimming for longer, whether that means all day or throughout a lifetime. 

• Experience-driven coaching is key to Jen’s success, as she brings the perspective of a world-class marathon swimmer, including completing the LGSA Signature swim along the length of Lake Geneva 70km (ninth person ever) and Lake Constance 66km (first American). 

Weekly Schedule

Below is a general schedule for the week. The time in the water and distances are approximate and may vary depending on weather, swimmer pace and group preferences. While adjustments may be made, this outline gives you a clear idea of what to expect each day.

Sunday 

• Evening: Welcome dinner in Evian-les-Bains (included in the camp fee). Significant others are welcome with advance notice and for an additional cost. 

Monday

• Morning: Swim at the Centre Nautique in Evian-les-Bain focusing on balance, body line and posture in the water for both pool and open water swimming. Approximately 2 km. Each swimmer will be filmed and sent an annotated video complete with narration and feedback. 

• Lunch (provided)

• Afternoon: Open water swim continuing work from the morning’s swim with real-life aspects of open water such as waves, sun and other swimmers. 2-3 km. 

Tuesday

• Morning: Pool Swim working on balance and finding ease in the water, incorporating drills and aerobic work. Approximately 2 km.

• Lunch (provided)

• Afternoon: Open water swim. 2-3 km.

Wednesday

• Morning: Pool Swim focusing on endurance training, the mental and psychological aspect of long swims and discussion of how attitude can affect physical strength. By this time, each swimmer will have their own “projects” that they are working on in the water. Approximately 2 km. 

• Lunch (provided) 

• Afternoon: Open water swim. 2-3 km

Thursday 

• Morning: Open water swim. 

The camp will conclude with a longer open water swim of up to three hours, with a maximum distance of 6 km. Whether you’re aiming to complete your first 6 km or build endurance over a shorter distance, this is an opportunity to put the skills developed throughout the week into practice, including pacing, efficient technique, endurance and, for those who wish, feeding during a longer swim. The focus is on building confidence and finishing the week with a rewarding open water challenge.  

The swim will be followed by a farewell picnic lunch.

Please Note

• All distances are approximate. Distances may be adapted according to the weather, swimming speeds and the needs of the group. The distances are provided as a guide to the level of preparation recommended before attending the camp. 

• The average water temperature in Lake Geneva at this time of year is approximately 70°F/21°C . The Centre Nautique pool is kept at approximately 81°F/27°C. The decision to wear a wetsuit (or neoprene) is up to each individual.

• A swim buoy/tow-float is required for all open water swims during the camp, so please remember to bring one with you.

• Camps numbers are limited and fill quickly.

Meet Your Coach: Jennifer Dutton, SwimStronger

Jennifer Dutton is a distinguished swim coach and world-class marathon swimmer with more than 25 years of experience helping athletes unlock their true potential in the water. Known for her exceptional ability to explain technique clearly, adapt coaching to every individual, and create a supportive yet challenging environment, Jen empowers swimmers of all levels to discover what they are capable of.

Jen currently coaches Masters swimmers in Islamorada, Florida, with the Fighting Manatees, and previously served as Head Coach for Wayland Community Pool Masters in Massachusetts. She is an online coach for United States Masters Swimming (USMS), designing progressive weekly workouts for swimmers nationwide. Through her own coaching platform, SwimStronger, she guides athletes around the world in camps, clinics, and personalised online coaching, supporting everyone from newer adult swimmers to elite competitors preparing for major endurance events, including Channel crossings and national-level meets. Her coaching background also includes serving as Head Coach for Wellesley Boys and Natick & Wellesley Girls High School teams, as well as Assistant Coach at Wellesley College.

As an athlete, Jen has completed some of the world’s most demanding and revered marathon swims. She became the first American to complete Lake Constance (66 km) in 2024 and the ninth person ever to complete Lake Geneva (70 km) in 2022. Her other major swims include 20 Bridges (Around Manhattan) 28 miles, Lake Lugano (1st to complete Swiss Triad of border lakes) Lake Memphremagog (25 miles), Lake George (32 miles), Lake Tahoe (22 miles), Keuka Lake (34 miles), and the Great Sacandaga A-B-C course (33 miles). Her achievements have earned her induction into both the Vermont Open Water Swimming Hall of Fame and the New England LMSC Long Distance Hall of Fame, among numerous other honours.

Jen holds certifications as a USMS Level 3 Coach and an ASCA/WOWSA Level 5 Open Water Coach. She is also completing advanced credentials in sports psychology and sports nutrition through AFSA. Her accolades include being named Boston Globe Coach of the Year three times, EMISCA Coach of the Year, and receiving the Sri Chinmoy Torch-Bearer Award (2024).

Above all, Jen is deeply committed to helping swimmers find confidence, joy, and purpose in the water. Her combination of technical mastery, endurance expertise, and genuine care creates an environment where athletes feel supported, empowered, and inspired to reach further than they ever imagined.

There is nobody better than Coach Jen to get someone ready for an open water swim—whether it’s a beginner looking to swim one mile or a marathon swimmer looking to push themselves farther.

Bob - Triple Crown Swimmer, USA

The Location: Évian-les-Bains

This is the perfect blend of world-class training and Belle Époque charm.

The LGSA swim camp is based in Évian-les-Bains, a renowned French spa town nestled on the southern shore of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), framed spectacularly by the French Alps. This location provides an unrivaled setting that is as rejuvenating for the mind as it is challenging for the body.

For our Swimmers we have access to a massive Training Ground: Lake Geneva's water is regularly tested and known for its exceptional water quality and agreeable conditions, offering the ideal, expansive environment for marathon swim preparation and long-distance endurance building.

We can just as easily train in the lake as in Evian’s exceptional Centre Nautique, which features a designated open water swimming area, pristine lawns, and a 50-metre Olympic sized pool.

And for our Culture lovers or accompanying family and friends Evian makes the perfect chill out get away. Revel in Belle Époque Elegance as you Stroll along the scenic lakeside promenade, surrounded by graceful 19th-century villas and architectural gems like the Palais Lumière and the Villa Lumière (Town Hall).

Don’t forget to visit the famous Source Cachat spring, the origin of the world-renowned Évian mineral water, and fill your bottle with fresh water, free of charge! After that, take a scenic and free ride on the historic Funiculaire d'Évian, connecting the lakeside to the upper town, offering panoramic views of the immense Lake Geneva.

And for ultimate relaxation visit the thermal baths for and treat yourself to some luxury pampering.

What’s included

• Kayak escorted open water swims

• Coached pool sessions focusing on technique

• Video analysis of your swim stroke

• Supervision and safety cover for all sessions

• Lunch on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, plus a farewell picnic lunch on Thursday 

• Welcome dinner

Getting there

Address

74500 Évian-les-Bains, France

By Air

The closest airport is Geneva International Airport (GVA), located approximately 45–50 km away, just across the Swiss border. 

By Public Transportation

From Geneva Airport (GVA) take a train to Genève-Cornavin (Geneva's main station), then connect via the Léman Express or regional services (usually changing at Annemasse) directly to the Évian-les-Bains train station (Gare d'Évian-les-Bains). The total journey time is typically between 1 hour 25 minutes and 2 hours.

For a scenic route, take a passenger ferry operated by the CGN from Lausanne-Ouchy, in Switzerland, across the lake directly to Évian-les-Bains. The crossing takes approximately 40 minutes.

By Car

From Geneva the drive takes approximately 1 hour. Take the main road from Geneva into France, the D1005, and follow signs for Thonon-les-Bains and Évian-les-Bains. The D1005 will lead you directly into Évian-les-Bains.

Why Not Extend Your Open Water Experience?

Extend your stay and experience La Classique, LGSA’s iconic 13 km crossing of Lake Geneva from Lausanne, Switzerland to Évian-les-Bains, France? The 2027 swim is scheduled for Saturday 17 July, with Sunday 18 July reserved as the alternative date in the event of unsuitable weather conditions.

Participation in La Classique is separate from the swim camp and requires an additional booking and fee. Swimmers must also meet the event’s entry requirements.

FAQ

1. How much swimming will there be?
   We will have several pool sessions which will be geared towards technique and/or endurance building and several lake swims - many days we have one of each type of swimming. Swimmers may cover 4 - 6 km (2.5 - 3.7 miles) a day with two swims. Distances can be adapted for swimmers who would like to cover more or less during a session. 

2. Are there any requirements to attend the camp?
   To attend this camp, participants must be able to complete a continuous swim of at least 3 km (2 miles) in a pool or open water, maintaining a minimum speed of 2 km/hour.

3. Are all the swim sessions mandatory?
   Nothing is mandatory! This is for you to get what you want out of the week. 

4. Can I wear a wetsuit?
   Yes. Wetsuits are optional and swimmers are welcome to wear one if they feel more comfortable doing so. Wetsuits may be worn unless the water temperature exceeds 24°C, when they may not be permitted for safety reasons. 

5. When should I arrive?
   We will meet on Sunday evening for the welcome dinner before starting swimming the following day.

6. Do I need to bring my own equipment?
   Yes. Please bring a swimsuit, goggles and a tow float. We recommend bringing more than one pair of goggles, including clear and tinted lenses for different conditions. The coaching sessions do not require paddles, fins or kickboards. You may bring a snorkel if you wish.

7. Can I bring family members or friends?
   Friends and family are welcome to accompany you and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. However, please note that our meals and swim sessions are exclusively for camp participants to ensure the best experience for everyone. We encourage your guests to explore the area or relax while you’re attending the camp activities.

8. What’s included in the price?
   Coaching and safety support are included for all swim sessions, along with the welcome dinner and lunch each day. In the evenings, participants are free to explore Évian-les-Bains and enjoy its wide range of restaurants and local cuisine. 

9. Can I pay by bank/wire transfer?
   Yes you can.

10. Do I need insurance?
    Yes, you should definitely have travel insurance. Like any holiday it is important to cover things including (but not limited to) illness, accident, emergency repatriation, ambulance, air ambulance, helicopter rescue services, cancellation, lost luggage and delays. You should also make sure you are covered for open water swimming and any other activity you might want to do.

11. How old do I have to be?
    All participants must be 18 years or over at the beginning of the trip.

12. Is it only swimming? Are there other activities?
    As well as swimming, the Lake Geneva region has plenty to offer, from Roman ruins, medieval castles to award-winning cheeses, wines and chocolates. There are also world class hiking spots nearby and many alternative water activities. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the local culture and soak up the alpine atmosphere.

13. Might the camp be cancelled?
    Sometimes it may occur that we need to cancel a camp due to a lack of bookings, however this is highly unlikely (who wouldn’t want to enjoy a week of swimming and sunshine by the lake!?). Nevertheless if we do need to cancel a camp, we will advise all guests as soon as is feasibly possible.

14. How do I book?
    You can book your places via the ‘Book Now’ button at the top of this page. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.

15. What kind of safety support is present during the open water swims?
    Kayakers will accompany all open water sessions to support and guide the swimmers.