leisure
DIARY OF A NOVICE BOOT CAMPER
Susan heads to her first luxury fitness boot camp, ‘Who Dares Slims’, and lives to tell the tale.
BY SUSAN CLIFTON-TUCKER
S
o you want me to go to a boot camp, why?” I ask the esteemed editor of this magazine, my very fit daughter. I reason that it would be more up her street, or more aptly mountain, than mine. Sophie has been invited to the inauguration of ‘Who Dares Slims’, a luxury fitness week in Spain, but is conveniently unable to go. She assures me the company caters for women of all ages and fitness levels. So feeling the fear and not sure if I want to do it anyway, I agree. “
‘Who Dares Slims’ a clever play on the Special Forces motto ‘Who Dares Wins’ is run by Nicole Alcantara, Head of Operations and everything in between, and her partner Jamie. Jamie is a personal trainer and fitness instructor in the Army Reserves. He used to train Royal Marines and now puts Special Forces recruits through 68
their paces. Now I’m really worried. A quick call later and Nicole reassures me that it will be great fun. The Premier boot camp is heralded as a luxury residential week to boost fitness and kick-start weight loss. I am very happy to ‘do’ luxury, and could do with some toning up. Not so happy to learn that there will be no alcohol served. My lame plea that wine is made from grapes, so should technically form part of our five-aday, falls on deaf ears.
that whilst I will be dined, if not wined, he will have to cater for himself for the entire week. “Blame our daughter,” I respond, hugely enjoying the moment. The appointed day arrives and I set off to reach the boot camp destination at 17:00 as instructed. A mere 20 minutes after leaving Gibraltar and I am driving into The Larios (gin family) estate in Los Barrios. It is an imposing structure brimming with period features. Swimming pool, tennis courts and ballroom sized accommodation all form part of the package.
My lame plea that wine is made from grapes, so should technically form part of our five-a-day, falls on deaf ears.
My husband Andrew is very supportive and laughs heartily at the prospect of me running, jumping and climbing. However, his face falls when the realisation dawns
Nicole and military trainer Mike are on hand to welcome the first intake GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018