Too cold to go swimming outdoors

Geneva, Switzerland – The days are getting shorter by the minute and Geneva will soon be submerged in that “perma-gray” that makes us all a bit stir-crazy.

One good way to beat the blues is by exercising and adding new physical activities to our routine. What is there to do in Geneva proper during the winter months?

Swimming! Indoor pools in Geneva offer courses for adults and children all-year round.

Courses in the City of Geneva

• Vernets (in Acacias) and Varembe (near the United Nations Plaza) are the two pools managed by the City of Geneva that offer classes year round for children and adults. Some courses are offered by instructors that speak English.

Courses in Canton Geneva

• Bains de Cressy offers courses for babies (aqualiens) all year round.
• Dauphins offers courses for babies, children and adults, as well as advanced synchronized swimming in Meyrin and Avanchets.
• Meyrin offers courses Monday thru Friday after school hours.
• Thonex offers courses for small children and adults.

The Geneva tourism office also lists all the pools in the Canton, most of these do not offer courses but are open for swimmers year round.

Get your fins on and happy swimming!

Find out what else is up in Geneva through my Twitter channel, subscribe to this blog by using our RSS feed or  receive it by e-mail.

Swim away to a healthy end-of-summer

Geneva, Switzerland – Imagine dipping in the waters of Lake Geneva, overlooking some of the most expensive real estate in Switzerland and working on your crawl stroke in a one-to-one swimming lesson, all without breaking the bank.

The private instruction costs only 10 francs per adult/per lesson and just 5 francs for children’s lessons.

During the summer, the entrance fee to the Bains des Paquis is 2 francs per adult, and 1 franc per child. Thus the total bill for an individual swimming course for a parent and a child comes to less than 20 francs. That’s a great deal in Geneva.

Valerie Andreetto, the English and French speaking instructor at Paquis, teaches students that the most important thing is “to feel comfortable and enjoy the water. Once you feel comfortable,” she says with an easy smile, “you can worry about your stroke and your style.”

Andreetto has been the swimming instructor at Paquis for six seasons. A very hands-on instructor she shares the water with her students. Beginners usually swim in the shallow pools while more advanced students go a bit deeper -but within reach- in the Lake.

Valerie instructing a swimming student in Lake Geneva

Individual swimming courses at the Bains des Paquis are available through the end of August.

Courses are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up for one or more lessons, there is no limit to the number of classes you may take.

Part of the fun for all is that in addition to a small “beach” there are two diving boards, a shallow pool to play water volleyball, Turkish baths (or Hammam) and a restaurant on the premises.

The Hammam closes the last week of August and reopens in mid-September.

In addition, all beach water polo fans in Geneva are invited to meet, swim and play every Monday and Thursday during the summer. The invitation is valid until the end of August.

Kids and adults swimming lessons in Lake Geneva

The swimming season officially ends in mid-September but of course you may still swim in the Lake at any given time after that if you are willing to face the frigid waters.

Swimming is “at your own risk” after mid-September when the entrance fees to the Bains des Paquis are waived.

Currently, Andreetto is completing her certification to provide mental coaching to elite Swiss swimmers and she also provides courses at indoor pools in Geneva. You can contact her at +41 (0) 76 540 75 00 for further information.

Happy swimming!

Find out what else is up in Geneva through my Twitter channel, subscribe to this blog by using our RSS feed or  receive it by e-mail.