Each year the Pointers make a winter training trip to a tropical location to train for two weeks. It is a chance to focus intensely on training and preparation for the end of the season, away from the cold weather of Wisconsin. In 2005-06, the Pointers will travel to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands for 12 days after going to Barbados last year and Hawaii for the previous eight years.

   There are many ways to make the trip affordable. The team does fundraisers at the university, such as teaching swimming lessons and working security at campus events.  
 

Practices are usually held twice a day, once in the early morning and once in the evening. This leaves ample time for a wide variety of activities during the day.  

On the trip, team members have the opportunity to go surfing, snorkeling, hiking, climbing, swim in some monstrous waves or even  jump off high cliffs into the ocean. Of course, the main emphasis is swimming and diving.

   Training on these trips is intense, and becomes more specific to each individual�s end of the year goals. When the trip is over, team members are likely to be in the best condition of their lives, while having had a great time in the process.