By the time the sun dips low over Sicily’s southern coast, the air at Camping La Palma is alive with laughter, sore muscles, and the soft crash of waves. For the last three years, for four days in early September, contortionists, circus artists, and curious movers gather here for something that feels part training camp, part community festival, and part holiday: the European Contortion Convention (EuCoCo).

A Convention by the Sea

EuCoCo has been running for three years, founded by contortionist Niki and hand balancer Sam. The choice of venue feels intentional: Camping La Palma, a laid-back campsite with tents, caravans, and nearby villas, sits just steps from a wide beach. After hours of bending, balancing, and conditioning, the sea is both playground and balm.

With Sicily still warm in early September 28 to 31°C; sunny but not stifling - the days strike a perfect balance between training hard and restful chill. Mornings start with group warm-ups under the shade of a canvas tent; evenings end with great vegetarian food, ice cream, and conversations stretched out under the stars.

Where Training Happens

Workshops take place across three unique spaces, each with its own character:

The Main Stage: a brightly coloured circus tent set among the trees, with padded tatami mats covering the floor.

The Gym: an indoor tiled training space ideal for focused, technical work away from the sunlight

The Jungle: a smaller covered space with tatami mats, offering an intimate environment for smaller groups.

Training props are generously provided on site, meaning you don’t need to pack bulky gear. Expect blocks, training bands, hand-balancing canes, handstand boards, and mats to be available for use but you must make sure you always bring the equiptment back to its home

The Shape of the Week

The official schedule runs Monday through Thursday, though many arrive early to settle in. Each day is structured around workshops with three invited coaches; this year Lisbeth, Alex, and Heejin, who run parallel sessions so participants can choose what resonates most.

Monday begins gently: registration, an opening circle, and afternoon workshops. Alex led a session on frontbending and hamstrings, Heejin explored bridges, and Lisbeth delivered a fierce but accessible conditioning circuit that had beginners and professionals alike breaking a sweat.
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Tuesday is the marathon day: morning and afternoon workshops, plus evening activities. Sessions ranged from shoulder mobility to contortion handstands, injury prevention, and advanced hip rotations. The evening wrapped with a raucous game night, where circus-style challenges and friendly competition had everyone laughing.
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Wednesday eases the pace with only a morning of workshops; splits, straight-line handstands, and tuck handstands, before an afternoon “Ask Me Anything” with Lisbeth followed by a partner massage session. As the sun set, many joined the photographer for beach shoots with dramatic skies adding their own flair as the weather took a turn for the evening.
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Thursday closes with a final round of workshops: from sequences and transitions to deep chest-stand progressions. After lunch, the closing circle draws the week to an official end, though dinners and beach time often spill into the next day.

Throughout, mornings often started with optional 7:30am sessions on mobility, creative movement, or core activation giving gentle yet grounding reminders to care for the body amidst the intensity of training.

Volunteers: The Beating Heart of EuCoCo

While the coaches lead the workshops, EuCoCo wouldn’t run without its volunteers. They set up training spaces, help with cooking and cleaning, and often lead warm-ups, cooldowns, or workshops of their own. Volunteers also host two of the most beloved evening events:

Games Night: playful, points-based circus challenges with prizes up for grabs.

The No-Talent Cabaret: a tongue-in-cheek open stage where anyone can perform, whether contortion or not. Comedy, music, and improvised acts share the spotlight, making it a highlight of the week.

There’s also an open rota for participants to pitch in for an hour. Tasks range from covering or uncovering training spaces, cleaning tatami mats, and helping prepare or clear meals. It’s a small but meaningful way for attendees to contribute to the communal flow of the week.

Breakthroughs and Fresh Eyes

What makes EuCoCo more than just “four days of classes” are the small moments of discovery. Coaches broke down technical details, like the exact order of muscle engagement for safe backbends, that left participants with genuine aha! breakthroughs. Long-time practitioners found themselves finally nailing poses that had eluded them; hobbyists discovered new depths of flexibility or refined foundations for moves like flying cobra and chest stands.

The participant mix is part of the magic: professionals working the stage, yoga practitioners exploring deeper ranges, hobbyists training for the joy of it, and even other coaches learning from peers. This blend creates a culture of mutual respect and shared curiosity.

Life Between Workshops

Meals are a highlight in themselves. Breakfasts are relaxed, but lunches and dinners see tables pushed together into one long banquet, strangers quickly becoming friends. The campsite shop sells croissants (day before pre-order required), sandwiches, ice cream, and pizza (ordered by 6pm to arrive at 7:30pm), while the nearby beachfront restaurants serve up fresh seafood and wood-fired pizza which is a great option for those arriving early or leaving later on.

The evenings range from lively to restful: the cabaret, games night or just conversations by the cafe, or simply walking along the shore. On the final evening, many order pizza as a celebratory send-off before taking their pre-arranged taxis back to Palermo airport.

Practicalities and Costs

A regular ticket to EuCoCo costs €457, with early-bird discounts often available in the first months after release. This includes workshops, group sessions, and most meals, but not accommodation. For the places to stay participants can choose from:

Camping (bring your own tent, or rent one on site)

Shared room (single bed)

Private room (double bed)

Travel to and from the airport requires some forethought: Palermo is the closest airport, about 1h20 away. Organisers arrange shared transfers, but you must book early to secure a spot. Miss the window and you may be left with a long, bus journey or an expensive solo taxi.

What to Pack

Even though training props are provided, there are still a few essentials you’ll want to bring:

Beach gear: swimsuit, flip-flops, beach towel

Comfort extras: mosquito repellent, sunscreen, reusable water bottle

Casual clothes: sandy evenings call for easy layers

Why You Should Go

At its core, EuCoCo is about more than learning to fold deeper or balance longer. It’s about connection, between disciplines, between strangers, and between body and self. You’ll leave with new skills, but also new friends, new perspectives, and maybe a few sandy photographs you’ll treasure for years.

As one participant put it, “Go with curiosity. Be open-minded. Eat with people. Tell your story. That’s when the real magic happens.”

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