Being Active In Lanzarote

Being Active In Lanzarote

It is without doubt my favourite close by, island get away for an active holiday. Only a 4 hour flight from the UK and Ireland for all year round sun, Lanzarote is a no brainer for me and my family, and of course running my mind and body retreats here.

With an average temperature of around 22 degrees outside of summer, it makes Lanzarote a suitable place to go for warm weather training camps and holidays to get some winter sun.

Friendly people, great food, lovely beaches, fascinating landscapes, perfect climate and so much to do.

In this article, I will outline our go to activities for our Complete Transformation Retreats, all of which will take your breath away. I will also endeavour to give you a few tips to help you stay on top of your health and fitness while on holidays.

Porta Calero to Porta Del Carmen Cliff walk

This truly is a lovely experience. It is about 6 kilometres there and back and mostly flat apart from some challenging steps in the middle of the walk. You start off from my favourite place in Lanzarote, Porta Calero, walk along the cliffs with stunning views of Fuertaventura and when the suns out, the sea looks so inviting. The walk is very safe and the ground under foot is mostly dusty and stony, with a promenade on the back end of the walk as you approach Porta Del Carmen.

Equipment Advice – Runners/Walking boots/ Sun Cream/ Water/ Exercise clothing  Volcano Trek  (Volcano El Cuervo)

Everyone gets pretty excited when we mention that we will be walking inside and around a real Volcano. Volcano El Cuervo doesn’t disappoint. It is a short mostly flat trek of around 90 minutes from the car park. We usually head straight into the middle of it and admire the pretty incredible flowers growing there and take in the stunning views. We then walk out and walk around the circumference of it which is longer than you think.

Equipment Advice – Runners/Walking boots/ Sun Cream/ Water/ Exercise clothing

Kayaking To Papagayo Beach

This in my opinion, is the most beautiful beach on the island and is a must see. We bring our guests from Playa Blanca (about 40 minutes from the airport down the south of the island) around the head land to Papagayo beach. When you come around the corner of the headland, it really is stunning. Kayaking is for all levels and is a great way to jump out of your comfort zone and get out onto the ocean, breathing in that fresh sea air and soaking up the rays.

Equipment Advice – Wet Shoes/Water/Sun Cream. They provide wetsuits/Life Jackets if needed.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding In Porta Del Carmen

This can be lie on paddle boarding, kneeling paddle boarding or whatever you can manage. We’ve had retreat guests not be able to get onto the board, to then standing up within a year, pretty cool in my opinion. A great way to get out on the water and potter around while getting a tan at the same time, win win. It is harder than you think, so the main thing to realise is that you should not have too high expectations when trying it for the first time. Technique and practise is everything.

Equipment Advice – Wet shoes/Water/Sun Cream. They provide wetsuits and life jackets if needed.

Keeping active when on holidays

If you are an avid health and fitness enthusiast, Lanzarote provides you with a tonne of options to keep on top of things while you are away. I must admit, when I am on holidays, exercise and fitness takes a back seat. I like to stay active, I’m not a lie on the beach all day kinda person, but I train all year around, so having a week off every now and then is not only not a bad thing, it’s a good thing.  Some people use holidays as a time to chill and rest, others use it as an activity based experience. I like a mix of both activity and down days. Bearing in mind I exercise every day back at home in Dublin, that’s my idea of a back seat.

In terms of places you can go to exercise, you have La Santa resort on the west coast, you have Sports Club Calero in Porta Calero for a great place to work out and a lot of cycling and Triathlon clubs for all levels spread around the island if that’s what floats your boat.

All in all, keeping active is all there for you when you visit Lanzarote… if you want it.

Yours in fitness

Damian

www.completetransformationretreats.ie