Lanzarote

Jenson Button is the latest British sporting celebrity to appreciate the lure of warm weather training at Club La Santa, following the footsteps of a long line of other well-know sports stars such as Frank Bruno and Linford Christie who have all flocked to Lanzarote.

Button, the 27-year-old Formula 1 star, will be visiting Club La Santa three times over the winter in weekly spells as he gears for the start of the Formula 1 season. The Honda driver already spent a week in the Canary Islands in November, and plans to return both in December and January to ensure that he is in peak physical condition for the rigours of motor sport.

"I absolutely love it at La Santa," Button says. "It's ideal for my needs, but I also make full use of all facilities the club offers, sporting and non-sporting." He first discovered the club back in 2001 when he was driving for Flavio Briatore's Benetton F1 team. Bernie Shrosbree, the well-known sports trainer, took Button and the Benetton trainer, Mike Collier, out of Lanzarote for some pre-season training.

A litte older and wiser now, Button prides himself on being one of the fittest drivers on the grid and this, in part, he puts down to his visits to Club La Santa, which he has been doing for the past four years.

"What I like about coming here is that you can get away from all distractions, such as your family, your girlfriend, and those friends who do not want to train with you, but rather go down the pub," Button explains. "Club La Santa has everything you need, the accommodation is good, the food excellent, the fun factor at night is there if you want it - and we usually let our hair down on our last night after a hard week's training - and the weather is always warm and beautiful. You can have a nice, relaxed holiday if you want, or you can undergo some serious training.

"You can do anything, from using the many cycle routes to swinning in a 50 metre length pool, to kayaking, surfing, and using the excellent gym. I particularly like the competitions the club stages. In November I competed in the mini triathlon, hte duathlon and the aquathlon. They are all under an hour, but it's flat out, very intensive and very hard work. It's great to see, out of the 40 or 50 competitors, half a dozen as very serious athletes, some as good, modest athletes and even families taking part. It serves everyone's purpose,

from the likes of me trying to get as fit as I can for my sport, and families on holiday who suddenly fancy a challenge. I find myself up against kids and middle aged men and women, which is fun".

Button is spending time this winter in Lanzarote with trainer Mike Collier, now working with him at Honda, plus two school friends and another from the world of motor racing. "It's pretty hard work,"Button says. "Basically it's case of waking up, eating, training, eating, sleeping, training, eating and sleeping for most of the week, until the last night when we treat ourselves to a beer or two in the Green Bar at Club La Santa. Our other treat here is to use the Wellness Centre where we jumped from hot tub to the cold pool to relax our bodies.

"You'd be surprised how fit a Formula 1 driver needs to be these days, and how fit we all are. The demands of a car going at 200 mph, with all that g-force bearing down on you, coupled with often searing heat and humidity, requires excellent fitness, and ever since I've been coming out to Lanzarote I've always started a new season feeling supremely fit. I'd imagine I'll be coming here for many years to come."

Jenson's Top Tips for Lanzarote and Club La Santa:

1. Enter the competitions - they're great fun, and you should only focus on beating yourself.
2. Use the Wellness Centre as often as possible.
3. Use the pool, not only for the chance to swim 50 metre lengths, but also because it's the best sun-bathing spot on the resort.
4. Get out on a bike and explore the lunar landscape.
5. Do the same with runs as well, including the weekly half marathon, and try and run up a volcano. There are plenty of them!
6. Make sure you eat at la Casa, which is a great restaurant at Club La Santa.
   
7. If, like me, you have a rugby playing friend wiht you, eat in the restaurant nexto door to La Casa. It's cheap, and you can eat as much as you want, which is what rugby players like.
8. Go and explore the nearby lava fields. They're awesone!
9. If you're into surfing it's excellent on the island.
10. Check out the nightly shows and the activities in the Green Bar.