Date published: 01/03/2025
Sarah Lewis-Briggs - Group Adventures at CLS!
In the dark winter months about a year ago, I was singing the praises of Club la Santa to some friends. One thing led to another and before I knew it I was organising a holiday for 6 of us.
We ranged in age from 55 to 64 along with my 19-year old daughter, who insisted that she liked my friends, liked the sound of Club la Santa, and definitely wanted to come.
Whilst I was a little worried about such a disparate group in terms of age, fitness levels and interests, I knew that Club la Santa offered a range of activities for all standards and was looking forward to a week of exercise and no work to distract me.
Snow at Newcastle airport meant that we arrived about 4 hours later than planned, but it was lovely to get off the plane into 25 degree warmth and cross the island by minibus, the others commenting on how dramatic the island is: part of the pleasure of the holiday are the contrasts with the UK.
We had dinner, discussed what classes and activities we were going to do, started booking on the easy-to-use app., and then fell into bed early. The next morning we were up bright and early and full of beans, and went off to morning gymnastics.
In the past I’ve avoided this, partly as I don’t like getting up early on holiday, but it’s a great way of mobilising your body and the others embraced it enthusiastically. Afterwards we walked or ran before heading off to various exercise classes. Anne, Bella and I did aerial fitness: there’s something completely nuts but very appealing about hanging upside down or relaxing cocoon-like in a hammock.
On Monday we all did paddleboarding for beginners: although some of us had done a bit at home in the Lake District, doing it in the lagoon – which was quite still that day – was lovely. On Tuesday Rosie, Anne and Bella went surfing while Penny and Tricia went sea kayaking. I was tempted by the latter but also wanted to get out on a bike: I hired a lovely, smooth, Cannondale road bike and did a gentle 50 km including cycling along to the surfing beach, though I couldn’t spot the others as it was so busy.
Both groups enjoyed their trips and benefitted from 3:1 and 2:1 tuition: it’s great that activities like that still run even when there aren’t many in the group.
On Thursday we hired a car, so after morning exercises and runs/walks we went off to El Golfo, Timanfaya and Jameos del Agua, finishing with a swim in the natural pools at Punta Mujeres. It was great to see more of the island: it’s worth noting that if you like cycling then a lot of places can be reached by bike (on a previous trip Penny and I had cycled to the Fire Mountains one day and to Omar Shariff’s house on another).
Friday was our last full day, so we tried to pack in as much as we could. Rosie, Tricia and Anne hired city bikes and cycled to Soo; Bella and I tried Pilates Reformer. In the afternoon Tricia, Anne and I did deep water aerobics which was probably the most entertaining class of the week. To mark the end of the holiday Penny, Tricia and Anne went for a final swim in the lagoon while Rosie and I did the 4km run loop ‘in reverse’, before we paid a last visit to the Pool Bar for coffees and smoothies.
It’s funny how quickly you get into little routines, isn’t it: after the morning gymnastics we’d fit in all sorts of activities, but then generally meet up together for Stretch and Relax at 4pm, enjoying stretching out our limbs and relaxing in the warmth of the early evening. Sometimes we’d go for a swim afterwards: sometimes we’d go back and have a gin and tonic before dinner.
We all felt motivated to keep fitter at home – several of us are aiming to do a half-marathon in the spring, and I’m hoping to do a triathlon next summer. We were impressed by the standard and cleanliness of the facilities and we all agreed we’d like to come back again. To sum up in Tricia’s and Anne’s words:
“I loved the encouragement of the teachers, and the care taken to make sure each person could be as challenged as they wanted to be”
“I loved the 50m pools, tennis lessons and the motivation of being totally immersed in fitness”.
The UK is cold and dark but the Club la Santa app. has workouts you can do at home on – immediately you’re transported back to the sunshine and warmth of Lanzarote!
Sarah Lewis-Briggs 11th December 2024
