This is your go-to page covering the 2025 Llandudno swimp camp.

News, photos and information. This page will be updated during the camp - so check back here to see what's going on.

Coach on the way now - expected to arrive at Oddingley Hall at approximately 15:30 (half past three). This may change depending on traffic etc.

The coach has arrived at the truck-stop for a bite to eat.

The coach has left the hotel and is on the way to the truck-stop.

The coach has arrived at the hotel for the return journey. Packing is in progress.

It was nearly midnight when I typed this – first opportunity I have had all day.

We have been very busy today and full events timetable for everyone. We had a pool session this morning, followed by a walk by the beach before breakfast. Once eaten, some swimmers (group 1) had free time to which they could do revision, or go out by themselves. Everyone else went down to West Shore, where there is a land training area and local park. We spent just over the hour in glorious sunshine (although still a little cold) playing and using the equipment. We went to look at the sea and watched the goats on the hillside.

After lunch, we had our second swim session of the day, and the second group went onto their free time, whilst the others had more beach time (The sun was out and the tide was out so plenty of space to run about). Alex had his first swim of the week, and although it took a little organizing to get him in and out of the pool, the 25 lengths he completed made it worth while. Another couple of dehydrated swimmers this afternoon, mainly due to forgetting to bring drinks bottle to the pool or in one case, bringing an empty drinks bottle to the pool. Having purchased bottled water from vending machines, we finally overcame the problem and everyone managed to complete the sets today

After dinner, we had story time for the younger ones, read by Fernella and then shower and bed. Then it was quiz night, set by Josh, with 5 teams taking part. Great evening, with variety of quiz questions that everyone enjoyed answering. Oliver proved to be the knowledge king around cartoon film characters (some of which I have never heard of). Lovely dinner tonight, eaten by everyone, and snacks were given during the quiz.

We have had a few 'I do not need a shower' moments today, with two teenagers being asked several times to shower and wash and to change their clothes. Sorry parents if your teenage swimmer comes home smelly – I have tried.

Quote

"Karen I have 3 sets of clothes all exactly the same and I have changed my clothes every day, it just looks like I have not changed as the clothing is all the same."

I so believe that one – not.

Second quote – have you got your nightwear on this morning instead of clean clothes, yes. Well you cannot walk to the pool wearing your nightwear, you will not be warm enough and you need to get dressed. But it saves me so much time if I do not have to get dressed, please let me wear my nightwear all day and all night and then my clothes wont get dirty. Good argument but no, they had to get to dressed.

Third quote – where are your socks? No idea, shall we look in your drawers – I could not find any socks anywhere, then found 4 pairs in swim bag all wet. Had to get on radiator to dry them out.

Fourth quote – Why are walking back from the pool wearing one sock – Oh the other one is in my pocket. Why isn’t it on your foot? Because my shoe is wet so it would get my sock wet. Why is your shoe wet? Because I put it by the shower and it got water on the inside whilst I had my shower.

What fun we have 😊

Karen

Photos Photo gallery - Wednesday

And a little video

Today was Markus birthday, so there was a large cake, candles and a party.

We stayed up until 9pm (except Lily, Clara C and Noah who stayed up until 8pm) and we had dancing, music and some games. We had the disco lights on, Anji ran the music before being 'sacked' and Daniel took over. They playlist was made by Emily, Jamie, Daniel and Lex, with contributions by Heman, Markus and Clara H. Amarah, Emily, Markus, Romilly, Clara H, Fernella, Mathilda and Heman were dancing non stop to the end.

Our evening meal tonight was pasta with meatballs - nearly everyone had second or third portions followed by sponge with custard or ice cream, before tucking into Birthday cake. Everyone ate very well.

Swimming this afternoon was fine with rewards given for hard work - These were given to Marijka, Lily, Romilly and Amarah.

Had a couple of dehydrated swimmers this afternoon. I can only take the 'horse to water but I cannot make them drink' The swimmers were told several times to drink, to which a response of I am not thirsty or no thank you, which in turn led to stomach cramps and the shakes. Having got them re-hydrated and back on track, all swimmers have been told to make sure they have full drinks bottles and be prepared to be nagged at in relation to drinking and resting when told to.

Up early again tomorrow and everyone is going to the pool including Alex. I am fairly confident that everyone will sleep well tonight and be refreshed and ready to go in the morning.

Photos from Tuesday afternoon and evening

Hi All

I have just got few minutes to type this from our morning session.

Last night was just great. Everyone was in bed by 10pm, all the younger ones were asleep way before that and no one got up in the night. Perfect 😊 Everyone got up on time and were downstairs eating breakfast at 6am (except Marjika who finally appeared around 6.15pm)

The walk to the pool was very uneventful and we arrived ready to swim full of eagerness and excited. The swim session went well and everyone worked hard. Some people lost ‘marks’ for various ‘crimes’ Having no drinks bottle on poolside, cannot find their kit, walking instead of swimming, and not finishing on the wall. Rewards given to Aran, Mathilda, Clara H and Michael for their efforts this morning.

Thank you to Emily who helped with Lily, Clara and Mathilda in the changing rooms, and everyone had a leisurely walk back to hotel for our second breakfast of the day. Alex was ready to get up when we arrived back, so once he was sorted, we all ate together in the dining room.

After breakfast we had our first land training session and 2/3 of the group took part. The others who had homework or revision to do were sent off to do that in the quiet of their own rooms. Our land training session consisted of games and exercises, although one person didn’t quite grasp that it is was not a win or lose scenario and had to be sent out to calm down when in his eyes he did not win. However, on the whole the session went really well and everyone enjoyed the experience. However, I forgot to take photos of the session ( too busy delivering it) so will try for the next session.

We all had a drink before being sent off to sort out swim bags for pm session before lunch. As I type everyone is in the dining room having lunch.

Great morning so far – no major issues or problems, all meds given, everyone is fed and hydrated and currently only 1 coat, 1 sweatshirt and 1 float in the lost property.

My penguin slippers are going down well – everyone has commented on them. No lost keys but we have had a couple locked out of their room ( again)

We go to the pool after lunch so will sign off for now, but all is well and no tears at the moment (except when Lily knocked over her drink and got a bit upset – but she is fine now and she got another drink)

Ps – Happy Birthday Markus.

Karen

And more photos from last night and today Photo gallery - Monday and Tuesday

We have had a lovely day.

The coach trip down was totally uneventful. I even had forty winks on the coach around Colwyn Bay area. We played a few games on the coach and everyone was very cheerful and happy. We arrived around 3pm, and after unpacking and settling into our rooms, we went down to the beach for a paddle.

After dinner we went over to the pier for the evening before coming back to the hotel for hot chocolate and cookies.

Everyone has got the swim bags packed for tomorrow morning, clothes out ready to put on and after a very well story being read by Markus.

The 4 young girls, Lily, Clara, Romilly, Mathilda were all asleep in bed pretty quickly after supper. The older group all sat in the day room until 10pm - just chatting and playing cards. The staff had a drink in the bar and did our check rounds several times, to finish off our evening.

Happy day all round

Karen

Latest set of snaps from Llandudno - Photo gallery - Arrival on Monday 17th

The coach has arrived at the hotel - all is well!!

This is the drop off and pick up point  

Oddingley Hall ,18 Oddingley Rd, Birmingham B31 3BS  at 10am  

This is the letter sent to all parents regarding the arrangements for the swim camp. Please ensure you have read and understood its contents. Swim camp letter