Over winter break, the St. Olaf Swim and Dive Team headed down south to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to participate in a week-long training camp at the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

The annual camp is an opportunity for focused practice in their sport and to build stronger connections with their teammates. In an interview with The Olaf Messenger, Josie Hauck ’29 described her experience on the trip as both rigorous and relaxing.

Training at the International Swimming Hall of Fame gave her the chance to swim in a 50-meter Olympic swimming pool, a big difference from her previous experience with the 25-meter pool the team trains in at St. Olaf.

When asked about the benefits of the camp, Hauck said: “I found that to be really helpful for my training because I learned a different style of endurance from what I was used to.”

Though it was challenging, she said she has already felt the positive impact of the camp on her performance and strength.

The team spent most of its time in or near the water, waking early each day for a two-hour practice. Afterward, Hauck and her teammates headed to a nearby deli for a protein-packed lunch before settling in for a nap on the beach or by the pool. She said that some days, “I spent like three hours at the beach, hanging out in the sun, playing in the ocean and listening to music. Really good vibes.”

In the evenings, the team returned to the water for another two-hour practice before dinner, either in small groups or as a full team. To end the night, everyone crowded into a single hotel room to watch “Heated Rivalry,” which Hauck described as “definitely not uncomfortable at all.”

Overall, Hauck said the trip was a fun experience that strengthened both her skills and her relationships with teammates.

“We struggled a lot together because the schedule was pretty rigorous,” she said. “But it was also amazing because I felt like I got a lot of benefits from the sun and the relaxation.”