Palm Island resort, the exclusive 135 acre private island resort in the Grenadines, has teamed up with double Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Becky Adlington and Virgin Holidays to launch a swim workshop for guests to combine learning about the health and therapeutic benefits of sea swimming with holidaying in a stunning Caribbean paradise.

The free of charge workshops on Palm Island, which also recently launched a ‘Digital Detox’ programme to help guests to escape life’s stresses, will use the surrounding tranquil turquoise waters and resort pool, where Becky will share the multiple benefits of incorporating swimming into daily life at home by kick starting the swimming habit whilst on holiday – where warm seawater brings additional recorded wellbeing benefits. A year on from the excitement of London 2012, Becky will share insights in to her own incredible experience, as well as offer technical tips for experienced swimmers, quick advice for beginners and a wider view on the “beyond physical” benefits of swimming as a sport to incorporate into daily routines.

Swimming has well documented health benefits including:

·       Improved flexibility (the whole body in a range of motions)

·       Muscle toning and core strength (with low impact on joints and muscles)

·       Heart health through aerobic exercise

·       Weight loss help (different strokes can burn impressive calories)

·       Type 2 Diabetes risk reduction

·       Combating stress (endorphin release)

·       Enhancing mental alertness (clear head clear ideas)

·       Mood improver (rhythmic breathing as meditative combination)

Warm sea water swimming, for even just a few days on holiday, can also:

·       Boost the immune system via the natural vitamins and mineral salts found in sea water

·       Improve circulation by restoring essential minerals depleted by stress and poor diet

·       Enhance complexion - the magnesium in sea water is purported to help hydrate and improve the skin’s appearance by promoting moisture levels.

·       Promote overall wellbeing – warm seawater has been credited with activating the body’s healing mechanisms to fight conditions such as asthma, arthritis, bronchitis as well as common aches and pains.

Champion Becky Adlington said: “Swimming is my life, in and out of its role for me as a competitive sport.  What better place to share the wider ways in which it’s impacted on my life physically, emotionally and overall wellbeing than on a stunning private island with still turquoise waters to demonstrate that in! I’m really excited to be working with the teams at Palm Island and Virgin Holidays”

The workshop will cover the physical and emotional benefits of swimming, concluding with an optional open water challenge and one-to-one time with Rebecca for specific questions. Set over 4 days of 2-3 hours each morning during a 7 night stay, areas covered will include:

·       Technical tuition to maximise swimming’s benefits in the resort’s open air pool

·       “Land work” used by swimmers for fitness

·       Exercises to tap into swimming’s wellbeing and emotional benefits

·       Nutrition

·       Progressive markers to keep swimming challenging as fitness improves

·       Common technical errors to avoid

·       Olympian insider tips to improve performance or time for established swimmers

·       An optional open water swim challenge

Paula Whitehead, European Managing Director, Elite Island Resorts said: “Palm Island is a real private island getaway accessible to us all with its all-inclusive pricing. Our guests have long shared with us how soothing they find our surrounding waters and tranquil vibe, so we wanted to work with Becky to share the physical and therapeutic benefits of swimming whilst relaxed and out of the daily grind.  We like to offer guests learnings and habits they can take back into their lives back home, and this is the most exciting yet. To be working with a national hero is very exciting for us and for our guests”

The first two workshops are scheduled for August 11-14 2013 and May 4-7 2014 inclusive (both 4 days within a 7 night stay package).

Virgin Holidays is offering the “SwimFit Palm Island with Becky Adlington” package including the free workshop with Becky Adlington from £2,099pp, including 7 nights in Palm Island with scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick direct to Barbados with onward transfers and accommodation at the 4V+ Palm Island on an all inclusive basis. Price is based on two adults travelling and sharing a Palm View room, price includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on departures on 11th Aug 2013.To book: www.virginholidays.co.uk, 0844 557 3859 or visit one of our 100 stores located in Debenhams, House of Fraser, Tesco and Sainsbury’s stores nationwide.

For more visit www.palmislandresortgrenadines.com

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For further information please contact:
Karen Tippett
Tel: +44 7912 221 069
Email: karen@tippettpr.com