Activity Groups are open to all members of the IWC. Non-members are welcome to try an activity once, in the hope that you will join our club.
Interested in joining an activity group? Please contact the leader of that group using the email address as detailed.
Please make sure you have read our Participation & Responsibility Waiver and Photograph Release Policy before participating in any of the IWC Activity Groups or Paid Associated Groups.
Starting a new group or want to volunteer to run a group?
We are always looking for new activity groups or for volunteers to help run our groups. If you have an idea and are interested in starting a new group, then please contact our Activities Coordinator for general information on our activity groups and how to go about starting a new one at activities@iwc-lausanne.org.
Art Appreciation
art@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Monthly visits, both nearby and further afield.
We visit art exhibitions and when possible the studios of locally based artists. We usually benefit from reduced group rates on our gallery visits, and on the occasions that we need to travel to Berne or Geneva, there are frequently reduced train fares which include the gallery entrance.
Bridge
bridge@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Bridge 1 meet every Thursday at 13:30 and Bridge 2 meet every Wednesday at 13:30. Both groups meet in a Member’s home.
We have two bridge groups due to a large number of participants and the difficulty of hosting more than two tables in people’s homes. Beginners are more than welcome in the Bridge 2 group, comprised of regulars and newcomers.
Free Spirits
freespirits@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Monthly outings throughout Switzerland and occasionally France and Italy.
Share the experience of visiting a variety of interesting places with like-minded, friendly, sociable women. All outings are announced in advance in our E-News. Most trips last all day and require a fee to pay for entrance and a guide. We usually travel by train but occasionally by coach.
Gardening Group
gardening@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Once a month for 7 months of the year, starting in March, at members’ homes or by visiting local gardens.
Members who have a garden, terrace or balcony are encouraged to open their space for a visit by the group, although by no means is this obligatory. Any suggestions for visits to public or private gardens, parks or botanic gardens are welcomed. We are united by the joy of beautiful outdoor spaces and a love of nature.
International Cooking Lausanne
intlcookinglausanne@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Once a month on a Friday at a member’s home.
Our group of cooks hail from all over the world. Hostesses choose a theme, provide the recipes, and members then choose a dish to prepare at home and share à table. There is usually a welcome back dinner in September, including spouses/partners and often a summer excursion.
International Cooking Vevey
intlcookingvevey@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Monthly at a member’s home.
We are enthusiastic cooks who like to explore different cuisines and try new dishes. Each month a hostess chooses a theme and provides the recipes; participants then prepare a dish to share. The costs of the ingredients are shared equally by the group participating that month. We take turns hosting, the day is flexible, but always a weekday. In addition, we share recipes online in cooking together sessions; participants receive instruction and make the same dish in their own home. We also try to include culinary trips and activities in our program. You don’t need to be a great cook, just have an interest in exploring different cuisines and trying new dishes.
Knit-Wits
knitting@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Every Monday between 10:00-11:30 at the bakery “Aime Pouly”, around the corner from the Clubhouse.
Do you like to knit? Do you want to improve your knitting? Do you even remember how to knit? Answer yes to any of the above and you are ready to join us!
Out to Lunch Bunch
out2lunch@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Once a month, usually on a Wednesday, at a local restaurant.
Cost: Each member pays for the cost of their own meal and beverage.
Join us as we discover new and interesting restaurants in our region… a culinary ‘field trip’ shared with other food enthusiasts. What could be a better lunch experience? Once a month we will reserve a table for 12 at different venues, known for either their history, setting or cuisine, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Creative Writing
creativewriting@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Every Friday evening at 17:00 online using Zoom.
We use writing prompts that will encourage you to see the world in a different light or in a way you’ve never imagined – and inspire you to write. A collaborative space to explore, exercise our creativity and have fun writing.
No experience needed – just a desire to join in and express yourself in English (or any other language).
Cinema Lovers
cinema@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: 3rd Tuesday evening at local cinemas. Timing and venue will be announced several days beforehand.
We plan to choose a wide variety of films, mostly in English, occasionally in other VO (original version) – something for everyone. If you are a film fan, this is definitely for you.
Wine Meet-up
When: Usually on a Tuesday evening but it depends on wine merchant availability.
Where: Each date and venue is announced in the E-News.
Come along to an evening get together for IWC members and their spouses/partners. Relax, share a bottle of wine and get to know and spend time with fellow IWC members. Looking forward to seeing you !🥂🍾🥂
Week-end Dinner Club
dinnerclub@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Each month on Saturday evening at members’ homes, couples and singles welcome.
Each host determines the number of dinner guests based on the space available. Everyone brings a dish of choice to be shared amongst the participants. A convivial evening is virtually guaranteed.
English Conversation
english@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Every Thursday between 10:00 – 11:30 at East Side Cafe, Avenue General-Guisan 4, Pully.
This is an informal gathering at a cafe where members meet to practice their English in a friendly atmosphere. Native English speakers are encouraged to join as well.
Language Exchange
languagexchange@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: We meet regularly throughout the year in an informal setting, often for a walk and talk and sometimes at the Clubhouse.
Do you enjoy practicing your French? Meeting new people? If you are a fluent English speaker, please join this group with our French-speaking equivalents of Lausanne Accueil! All levels of French ability are welcome.
French Conversation, Advanced
french@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Every Tuesday from 09.30 to 11.00 at the Clubhouse or online.
We are a group on average of six participants, so each member has a chance to speak. Most of our time is devoted to very lively discussions on current events and various topics. We also read and discuss French books.
French Conversation, Beginner
frenchconvo@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Every Wednesday with Sophie from 10:00 to 11.30 at the Clubhouse and every Thursday with Brigitte from 13:30 – 15:00 at the Clubhouse.
These two sessions are open to anyone who is either a complete beginner or at an elementary level of French, who want to practice speaking and learning French with two native French speakers in a friendly atmosphere. As this class has only just started in January 2022 the style and structure of the sessions will be guided by the group.
German Conversation, Advanced
german@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Twice a month on Fridays between 10:00-11:30, at the Clubhouse.
Most of the time we are six eager and interested members. We read texts about German historical events, German enterprises, and German towns to be visited. Once in a while, we watch a German film.
Literature
When & Where: 4th Thursday of the month between 14:00 – 16:00 at a member’s home.
We were the first group to be formed after the club was founded in 1968, and the group is still going strong. We discuss a different topic each time and many of us participate. Our meetings are nearly always dynamic and enjoyable.
Original Readers
When & Where: 1st Monday of the month at 09:30 in the Clubhouse library.
We like to keep our numbers from 8 to 10 members in order to give everyone the chance to express themselves. We take turns suggesting books for the group to read. We vary our selection, incl. novels, biographies, short stories, current affairs, classics and books in translation. Our discussions are lively, open, and friendly.
Readers 1
When & Where: Every 2nd Friday of the month at 14:00, at a member’s home or online.
For anyone interested in reading and discussing contemporary literary fiction written. Our discussions are frank, yet friendly, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and viewpoints of our group members.
Readers 2
When & Where: 3rd Monday of the month at 10:30 and after, enjoying lunch at members’ homes.
We read contemporary literature and enjoy lively discussions. Although everyone misses a meeting occasionally, we hope all members have travel schedules that allow them to fully participate in the group.
Readers 3
When & Where: 1st Thursday of the month between 13:30-15:00 in Vevey.
We choose our books based on members’ recommendations/nominations and take turns leading discussions.
Badminton, Lausanne
When & Where: We meet on a Monday from 14:00 – 15:00 at Malley Badminton-Center in Lausanne-Prilly.
Cost: Court fees.
All ability levels are welcome.
Downhill Skiing – Competent Skiers
When & Where: Tuesdays during the season, visiting many different ski areas.
Cost: Ski passes.
If you are an enthusiastic skier, this is the group for you. We have skied in most ski areas in Vaud, the Valais, venture into France and we are open to suggestions. One of us usually knows the ski area well and leads the group. We carpool from La Croix-sur-Lutry and have a quick lunch in a mountain restaurant. We are not expert skiers but we love to ski.
Nordic Skiing (Skate and Classic)
nordicskiing@iwc-lausanne.org
When & Where: Usually on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from December to April. Snow conditions and weather-permitting.
There are over 1000km of tracks for Nordic skiing in the Jura mountains and plenty more in the rest of Switzerland. We will explore some of the different areas for skate and classic skiing over the course of the winter. We have a wide range of abilities from complete beginner to advanced intermediate skiers. Skiers can go at their own pace or join in on structured workouts. Many of these outings can also be joined by those who would like to head off on a snowshoe trail.
Fit & Fun Walking
When & Where: Weekly if possible. The day and time vary for maximum participation. Mostly within Vaud.
Looking for a fun and social way of keeping fit? Walk details are sent by email on a Monday. The only requirements are a good pair of walking shoes or boots and sufficient physical fitness to walk continuously for 2.5 – 4 hours. We depend on the participation of all members to help suggest and lead walks.
BADMINTON, Vevey
badminton_vevey@iwc-lausanne.org
When &Where: Tuesday at 09.00 at Veveysan Tennis Club, Chemin de la Veyre-d’en-haut 6, 1806 St-Légier.
Cost: Court fees.
All ability levels are welcome to join us.
Golfing Network
When & Where: Games played at local clubs.
Cost: Green fees (hopefully preferential!).
A network of members interested in playing golf and a resource for finding golfers of a similar ability level. Please indicate your handicap and which club (if any) you belong to here in Switzerland. Beginners are welcome.
Hiking
When & Where: Tuesdays from April to November in various locations.
Hikes start out gently in the spring and increase in difficulty as the season progresses, usually between 3.5 to 4.5 hours excluding breaks. Good boots are required and hiking poles are recommended. You will need snacks, plenty to drink and a picnic for lunch. We endeavour to carpool.
Nordic Walking*
nordicwalking@iwc-lausanne.org
This is a low-impact, full-body workout thanks to specially designed poles which help improve your aerobic capacity and muscular strength. You must have already completed a course in Nordic Walking to join us. Contact us for details about arranging this if you are a beginner.
Tennis, Puidoux
When & Where: Thursdays between 09:30 – 11:30 in Puidoux.
Cost: Court fees.
We are a happy group of members who play in Puidoux on Thursdays from 09:30 – 11:30. We have two levels of play.
Cycling
When & Where: Twice per month on Thursdays, leaving at 10:00 between the months of April to June and September to November. Weather-permitting.
Our rides take us on the less-travelled roads of Vaud, typically covering about 50km at a relaxed pace (2.5 – 3 hours). To allow us to explore more of the area, we often take the train to our starting point and then return by bike toward Lausanne or Morges.
Pickleball
When & Where: More details to follow soon.
Paid Association Group (fee charged by professional instructor)
All paid group leaders must strictly adhere to our Advertising Rules of Engagement.
Singing for Fun
Instructor: Gill Brigginshaw (professional instructor).
When & Where: Thursdays between 14:00 – 15:30, at Les Monts-de-Corsier (near Vevey).
Cost: CHF 20 per week for instructor fee. Free trial class
The aim of our group is simply to have fun whilst learning and singing a selection of new and favourite songs together. It’s a chance to learn skills in harmonizing, rhythms and breathing techniques without the feeling that the spotlight is on you. No previous singing experience or musical knowledge is necessary. It is a friendly, relaxed and informal setting.
IWC Participation, Responsibility and Photograph Waiver
MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (IWC Constitution – ARTICLE IX , Section 1-3)
MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY: Members shall be responsible for payment of all reservations made and not cancelled by the stated deadline.
DISCLAIMER: Participation in Club activities is entirely at the member’s own discretion and/or risk. Neither the Club nor its representatives shall be held responsible for injury, damage, or loss incurred by participation in Club events or while using Club property.
PRIVACY POLICY: The Club is committed to protecting the Club members’ privacy and will act within applicable privacy protection laws as publicized to the membership and approved by the Board of Directors.