“When you are struggling, that means you are progressing.”
Triathlon Training
Competa is home to one of the best triathlon training centres in Europe, run by British Triathlon Federation Coach and Tutor and certified IRONMAN coach Karen Parnell. There is no better sport to challenge one’s body to the absolute limit than triathlon. For PTSD sufferers, triathlon is the ultimate test of their physical stamina and their mental resolve.
Competa’s top-class mountaintop triathlon training establishment, Chilli Tri, welcomes PTSD Retreat Competa guests and designs training programmes just for them. Karen Parnell herself, and fellow triathlon coach Jess Petersson, a two-time Olympian and pro IRONMAN triathlete, take charge of the triathlon training programme.
Sports enhancement visualisation seminars and demonstrations are laid on at the PTSD Retreat Competa for the aspirant triathletes, incorporating NLP and clinical hypnotherapy techniques. A full triathlete nutritional plan is also carefully explained and demonstrated. For any PTSD sufferers looking to start participating in triathlons, there is no better taster than this PTSD Retreat Competa challenge.
Guests can choose to come for a long weekend or for a week of intensive triathlon training. Whether guests are just interested in giving it a try, or intent on competing, Chilli Tri will hone and analyse performance, stamina and style using the very latest technology.
The centre’s Endless Pool and outdoor circuit training gym enjoys breathtaking views Cycling in the mountains and on the coast is on the doorstep. Open water swimming is available on the coast. Chilli Tri designs fully-customised training plans for each participant, to help each person drastically improve their triathlete abilities from the beginning to the end of the course.
Trekking: Three Peaks Challenge
Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe. The three tallest peaks around Competa are La Maroma, The Peak of Heaven and El Lucero. Our fully-guided Three Peaks Challenge allows guests to pit themselves against some of the most demanding mountain walking in Europe, to reach all three summits in three days or spread over a week.
Peak number one is La Maroma, the highest at 2,065 metres. There are various ways to climb it, from easy to hard to extreme, all taking about six hours. Our guides take guests on the ascent most suited to their ability level; through beautiful forests and rock fields to truly stunning, even surreal, vistas of the coast and the Sierra Nevada.
The peak ‘Del Cielo’ or Peak of Heaven is in the natural park above Nerja and stands 1,508 metres above sea level. From the top of ‘Del Cielo’ the views of the Mediterranean coastline are stupendous, and on clear winter evenings one can see the Atlas mountains in Morocco. It takes four hours to reach the peak and is a strenuous walk up, although there are several routes to choose from. Steep shortcuts can make for a shorter but even harder ascent.
El Lucero at 1,780 metres high is one of the most emblematic peaks of the Sierra de Almijara and the ascent to the top is a true classic. A steep trail through a breathtakingly barren rocky landscape leads to the summit with its ruin dating from the Spanish Civil War, when the peak was a strategic vantage point. From the summit of El Lucero one can walk all the way back to Competa along picturesque mountain trails.
The Three Peaks Challenge can be achieved in three days for fit walkers, or spread out over a longer weekend or a week for those who would prefer to take it a bit easier. Contact us for more details of the Three Peaks Challenge itinerary.
Trail Biking Regional Tour
Hundreds of miles of off-road mountain trails await guests who wish to spend a weekend, long weekend or a whole week challenging themselves and their bikes on precipitous tracks, across rivers and around lakes, in some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world.
Thanks to our partner company, Trailblazers, based in Competa for the past 16 years, guests can take advantage of free protective equipment and fully-inclusive insurance for a hassle-free break, packed with thrills, and hopefully not too many spills! The highly-experienced guides choose tracks tailored to the skill levels of the guests, and can provide Moto X and Enduro training in advance. For full details of our Trails Bike Enduro challenges contact us.
Three Ravine Canyoning
Andalucia has some of the most beautiful ravines in Spain and three of them are close to Competa, allowing for a dedicated, multi-site, canyoning break. Our multi-activity partner company takes guests rappelling, jumping and sliding in the Barranco Moreno in Competa, the Barranco Almanchares near Canillas de Aceituno and Barranco Rio Verde in Otivar.
The Barranco Moreno has the most impressive waterfall of the entire Natural Park at 17 metres high, which guests can abseil down. The natural rock formations also make for some of the most stunningly smooth rock slides of any canyoning location. Easy access to the falls means minimal walking distance, and at least five hours of canyoning fun, just a few minutes from the PTSD Retreat Competa.
Barranco Almanchares, underneath La Moroma mountain, can be found at the end of a spectacular drive through the Axarquia region. The stony gully, with smooth-sided rocks and natural pools, on a steep mountainside slope, offers more than ten rappels, some kettles and slides. The descent is exciting and challenging and makes for a memorable morning or afternoon away from the Retreat.
The Barranco Rio Verde, on the other side of the Natural Park at Otivar, is probably the most beautiful and fun place to go canyoning; accessed by an interesting mountain trail. Transparent sheets of water careering over the beautiful sand-coloured rocks creates waterfalls, kettles, slides and pools that allow multi-height jumps and fun rappels.
Three full days of canyoning can be enjoyed over a long weekend or a week-long break, or combined with one of the other challenges for maximum variety. Contact us for more details of the canyoning challenges.
PTSD RETREAT COMPETA 