Login
Back
Lanzarote’s Club La Santa resort entertains thousands of sports fanatics and thrill-seekers each year, with a mind-blowing collection of racket, water, endurance and extreme sports. England Squash’s Natalie Davis went to see how the resort could soon be revolutionising its squash offering.
Three long distance runs, gymnastics, yoga, spinning, paddle-boarding, squash and a three-hour volcano hike – all in just 48 hours at Club La Santa. This packed schedule of non-stop sport and exercise was enough to convince me that for any adrenaline junkies, action addicts and lovers of all things sport, this is the probably the holiday for you.
In two short days at the resort I was barely able to scratch the surface of the huge programme of sports and events Club La Santa has to offer – from squash to golf, mountain biking to pilates and table tennis to triathlon – there is just about something for everyone.
The resort, situated on the northern coast of Lanzarote, is equipped with three 50-metre swimming pools, nine tennis courts and four squash courts – all glass-backs that were refurbished in 2014. The courts were in tip-top condition and it was clear why the sport has become such an integral part of the resort’s programme.
Sessions for both adults and juniors are on offer, as well as round-robin tournaments twice a week. Staff at the resort are keen to increase this and run squash specific camps for those interested in a more intense squash-focused week, putting the sport on par with others.
Squash is just the tip of the iceberg though. There is so much on offer that even the keenest of squash players would struggle not to wander away from the court at times. The resort is set in a cool area of the island with winds that make it ideal for sports including windsurfing, mountain biking, running and triathlon.
Each morning, the resort hosts three long-distance runs for you to choose from to get your blood pumping and loosen your muscles for the day. They are 1k, 3k and 5k and take you around the resort. Instructors measure your pace and record the mileage you are covering so you can monitor your progress throughout your trip.
I took on the 5k on the first day – five-minute miles, very challenging and exhausting. Whilst, I was at the back of the group, it was a fun experience. We ran past one of the pools and saw about 40 people doing gymnastics warm-ups. It showed the spirit of the place – activities, activities, activities. This was followed by a 10k volcano walk up nearby Pico Soo. The terrain was very rocky and, in 29C heat, very tough. But the beautiful, panoramic views of the island from the top made the hard work worthwhile. The climb left me feeling a real sense of accomplishment as I looked out over the skyline and gave me the added energy for the trek back down.
Later, I was able to try my hand at paddle-boarding – something I’ve always wanted to do. Although my group had missed the coach-led session while on the volcano walk, we were still able to take out some boards and take to the water for a few hours. It was fun, relaxing and something to do at your own pace.
By the second morning, the stiffness had started to set in, so I opted for the 3k run with six-minute miles. That was followed by one final hit on the squash courts and then it was time to leave. A whistle-stop tour of Club La Santa – action-packed yet relaxing, challenging yet exciting. My biggest regret would be that I was not there for long enough to try more of the activities – aerial yoga, beach volleyball, kayaking, aerobics, the list continues.
To have squash pushing so high up on the resort’s plans, with refurbished courts and an extended programme on the horizon, is extremely promising when you consider the wealth of competition from other sports. Hopefully we will see even greater emphasis put into the sport we love in the future.
