Cyprus Swim Camp 2025
Travel Day
Travel day went smoothly, after a pizza lunch, we left a miserable rainy Edinburgh under a delightfully beautiful rainbow 🌈
Due to the flutter of the wind we arrived in Pathos 25 minutes ahead of schedule.
Lots of seat swapping, sweets eaten, homework completed on the way along with a lovely announcement from the captain wishing the swimmers the very best for their swim camp!
After a late night bus kareoke, we arrived safe and sound to the hotel, unloaded the luggage (wow! We definately don’t travel lightly!) to be welcomed by a selection of sandwiches and snacks – then off to bed to start this camp bright eyed and bushy tailed!
All the swimmers are all looking forward to what’s in store this year for them!
Cyprus – Day 1
The day started nice and easy while we all find our bearings, with a well deserved breakfast for all.
The first meeting took place this morning, a nice introduction to our Cyprus Swimming Camp 2025. A brief overview of what is expected and what swimmers should adhere to in order to get the most out of their experience and gain the best results. Understanding their physical and mental abilities is paramount and utilised best when pushed to their individual limits.
Swimmers then enjoyed their first spontaneous sea swim along Coral bay. Some took up a spot of paddle boarding too, with an introduction to some beach land training with our personal trainer, Dan Fawkes.
A quick lunch and sunbed rest before we set off together, venturing off to the 50 metre pool, that we are lucky to have on our doorstep. The swimmers were excited to swim in the Coral Olympic Pool, built for Team Great Britain in 2012, for the first time!
World Champs set scheduled for the first pool swim – which they completed with ease well within the two hour set and under the setting of the stunning Cyprus sun!
Did someone mention a birthday??!!
Its Guy’s birthday today here in Cyprus, we celebrated with some funky glasses, presents, cake and a good Happy Birthday chorus.
What better place to enjoy!! 🎈
Cyprus – Day 2
First morning session today – the sun was out and hot early which made for a great coaching environment!
This mornings swim set consisted of reps of front crawl and IM focusing on high quality swims and turns throughout.
Swim meeting focused on the swimmers well being and individual check scale, with a focuss on fatigue, scaling from 1- 10 for how they were feeling at that moment.
Part physchology talk as Guy gave a motovational speech of marginal gains.
First land training session was based around setting the foundations within the surroundings of the hotel.
Using body weight and resistance bands with a focus on building on intesnsity throughout the week.
Some of the swimmers are super tired and retired early to bed in order to get a good night’s rest, while others enjoyed entertainment from a professional fire performer🔥
Cyprus – Day 3
One lane each this morning! What a treat, it was lovely and quiet, the set was calm and smooth and the swimmers knew exactly what to do.
Nutrition talk this morning to remind swimmers about a balanced diet and trying new foods! So far some swimmers have tried octopus and guava!
Land training left everyone dripping in sweat today! Dan worked them super hard some doing over 100 burpeess with sprints in between! Luckily, one-of the younger ones was on hand to provide a much needed cooling down station in the form of a water gun!! 🔫
While land training commenced, all parents had a ‘parents talk’ with Guy. The talk was about being a supportive parent, providing the safe environment and encouragement that they need to excell in this demanding and crazy sport of swimming. It’s about realising their individual goals, not comparing, and leaving the coach to coach- just be there to mop up those tears or celebrate where due!
Before lunch, the parents took over the pool and enjoyed water aerobics and an extremely competative game of fireball in the pool!!! 🔥 Who said the kids should have all the fun!
After a brief rest in the sun or more pool activities, the swimmers were ready for their evening swim.
Guy had a set prepared called the Funky 50’s! Swimmers were pushing their limits to go as fast as they could in every stroke for 50 metres 💦 The fastest overall IM swimmer will be announced to them in the morning… the tension is overwhelming!!!
Parents also wanted to experience the 50 metre pool and as we had a few lanes spare, they certainly took advantage! As the sun set they got their lengths in – working off those pancakes!
Evening drinks commenced outside before dinner, where a lot of people decided to venture out to different restaurants! Bed early for most! 😴
Cyprus – Day 4
This morning session was tough for some as we overcome tiredness – this camp can be mentally and physically exhausting and everyone will have a ‘dip’ day at some point! It is only to be expected when they are working themselves so hard! Its a good job they have fantastic team mates that are there to pick them up! 🩷
Working on 50m sprints in their number one stroke, Guy definately put them through their paces, while the photographers worked on their under water shots by climbing again, in their giant underwater hole! 📷
No land training today… but yes we are on the beach and it looks peaceful and it’s inviting … so another sea swim it is!
The paddle boarders were out patrolling the uniformed swimmers ensuring they stayed together and monitored their progress throughout.. however, as it became less calm, the wind kicked up and some paddle boarders ended up being rescued by others!!!
Don’t worry… there was a ‘macho man’ ready to guide everyone to safety! 👏🏻
To finish, the swimmers made a human pyramid on the beach, part of their team building!
Off for a ‘rest’ or pool play as a group – resulting in a great ball game of piggy in the middle – these kids underestimate their parents!
All parents had strict instructions to be at the poolside for a warm up ready for a land training meets pool workout. The rumour mill was going crazy and parents competative eagerness came out… so did the swimmers, as they started recruiting them for team players!! 🤣
Some even rocked up in their swimmers shorts for that competative edge!!! Dan Fawkes had prepared a circuit on land and in the pool with skipping ropes, dancing to 90’s hits, stretch cords and swimming over and under the lane ropes! There was some shouting, swearing, slight exposure of body parts and some extremely heavy panting – coming only, from the parents!! What great fun and wow, a taste of the super hard work our kids do everyday! We all retired for pre dinner drinks… exhausted!
A warm and intense day of swimming over 10,000 metres in training, in the sea and with pool fun! What a day!
Cyprus – Day 5
Pool session today – focusing on skills and drills with the addition of some friendly beetles for halloween, acting as mascots in the water! 🪲
Land training today took a different turn with hints and tips on breathing exercises, stretches and ways to promote relaxation before races.
Then, on to a psychology set on the beautiful grassed area at the top of the hotel – in the most peaceful setting you could imagine with views to die for!
Here, we made sure that swimmers were as relaxed as possible, their heart rates were low and their bodies rested. We listened to the waves crashing, the laughter down below and the birds singing, all while Guy set the scene in our minds using his gentle words so we could visualise our friends, calming scenes, and then onto our mind set before a race. Heart rates fell extremely low as our bodies sank into sweat soaked towels from the scorching sun.
Parents are feeling it today too much sun and lack of stamina (from the previous day)has equalled in some pulled muscles and achy bones🤣
Tonights swim was the individual world records attempts and the swimmers were super excited to take part! Using their relaxation techniques and psycology skills, they got their game head on!! Fast pace swims using fins and finger paddles if they wanted, to beat those times! Amazing swimming by all!
To finish, we had a riveting relay race involving all swimmers, head coach and 2 ex-swimmers just to top another amazing day off!!
As halloween night commenced, we arrived for pre dinner drinks in our scary halloween outfits! Before dinner, we started a very organised, proffesional quiz prepared by our resident quiz master Aaron! A multitude of questions with many rounds and quick fire questions! Again, the competitiveness came out in us all, even picking the teams caused conflict!!!!
Tune in tomorrow to find out who the overall Cyprus 2025 quiz team winner is!!!
HaPpY hALlOwEeN everyone!! 🎃👻
Cyprus – Day 6
IM drills and skills- FAST – first thing today at the pool – only one set of pool time today so they made the most of it in speed and power, swimming 5k!
No land training today, however, Dan Fawkes offered to take anyone who wanted to for a 4 mile run down to the town and back – the three big lads took him up on his offer for the sweatiest, hottest run of their lives!🏃♂️
Watersports activity day today!
Not for the faint hearted! Jet skis, paddleboarding and an inflatable twister to keep the kids and adults entertained, giggling and screaming for the afternoon! 🌊
Money raised via fundraising throughout the year helped fund this amazing day – memories for life! ❤️
An exciting game of waterpolo took place which provided an abundance of entertainment for us and for other hotel guests! Billingham vs holiday random guests… Billingham showed their skills and won 13 – 8! 👏🏻🤽♀️
Tonight, as it’s some of of our swimmers and their families last night with us, we took a trip to Guy’s favourite restaurant ‘Fat Mammas’! For the first time, swimmers had free range of what they wanted to eat and they certainly chose well! The portions were huge and the entertainment did not disappoint! Our Elvis impersonator was fantastic as were all the amazing dancers!
🍕👯♀️
Cyprus – Day 7
Rest day today and what a treat it was! Over 2 hour lie in – with no swim alarms going off!! ⏰️
Swimmers and families that took part for just the week, are today flying home and we are sad to see them go. Bitter sweet. They’ve had an amazing time and really didn’t want to leave the Cyprus sun, the pool and the people! Safe travelling everyone.✈️
Before they departed though, one more sea swim around the cove to finish the trip off on a high! Exploring the mediterranean sea off the coast of Coral beach. Guy was keen to point out many schools of colourful fish swimming amongst the group while Dan regulated the people at the back.🐠 Photographers were on hand, as always, to take their photo after getting nice and close to the swim on a hired pedalo!
The kids also got back on the beach for another go at a sandy human pyramid – why not!!! 🤣
A day of rest followed, a little sunbathing, game of volleyball, trips to the shopping centre, kayaking or a little walk around the hotel and along the beach.
Dinner tonight was a quiet one – all in bed early ready for the return of swimming camp in the morning! 💦
Cyprus – Day 8
Back to it and its another solid 5k this morning in the pool for the remaining 5 swimmers! Focussing on their main race in the upcoming gala in 2 weeks time at Coventry… these kids certainly travel well!!
In the meeting today, Guy acknowledged how as the group had been reduced now, feelings in the camp could be low, but they need to remain positive and focused on individual goals and success in order to achieve. ✅️
A little overcast today, but still warm and with sunny patches.
Sunbathing, rest and homework followed as these swimmers still remain committed to achieving their school goals too. 📚
Meanwhile… Aaron decided to play a friendly game of table tennis… resulting in him being slaughtered by a 75 year old lady! 🏓 May I add, she was on top form!!!
Tonights session started with the competition warm up while Guy swam his 1500 metres front crawl – his favorite race. Then a quick change into racing suits for the main set and another speedy 5k filled with 50m and 100m sprints.
This time Aaron took time under water like a resident merman with the ‘Go Pro’ looking at our starts and underwater work – learning as we swim! His lung function has increased massively! 😤🧜♂️
Dinner tonight as a group in the Italian restaurant in the hotel which was delicious! A perfect end to the day!
Cyprus – Day 9
Last full day today and the full sun is out and it’s even hotter today at a solid 27 degrees.
Swim this morning – another 5k – focussing on speed development. The majority of the set was based on quality and honing teqnique split into 25m, 50m and 75m on number one and front crawl.
A lovely play of catch in the sea followed in order to cool down – our throwing and catching skills have improved massively through this camp!
The last evening swim of Cyprus 2025 – we have grown extremely fond of this venue and we all would love to stay! It’s been a pleasure having this wonderful facility on our doorstep, that also, our families have had the opportunity to use and enjoy!
Following on from this morning, hard work and a focus on technique for 75m sprints in number one stroke and then on front crawl with racing shorts to add to performance.
Remembering, that these swimmers are coming to the end of their 10 day swim camp, they are mentally and physically exhausted, they are continually trying harder to push themselves – which is unbelievably hard at this point in time.
Dedication is unreal 👏🏻
The last night was carvery night and it didn’t dissapoint! Delicious! We are already dreading that weekly trip to Aldi and having to cook for ourselves!
Early night – swimmers and parents are all exhausted!!
Cyprus – Day 10 – Travel home day
Last pool swim called for an IM set this morning – decided collectively as a group the night before by the swimmers. Guy gave them free range of what they wanted to do (with an option to override if they were taking it too easy!) 2.3k this morning.
Swimming distance for the full week is a solid 67,000 metres which equates 41.8 miles completed in total over the course of the last 10 days. Just over double the width of the English Channel! 😲
The swimmers were greeted by Guy serenading them with Frank Sinatra ‘My Way’ in a most proud tone as they entered the pool area. Guy gave a small speech on their achievements, dedication and commitment to the camp.
There was a round of applause as they finished their set for swimmers and for coaches, alongside a great feeling of amazing accomplishment!
This afternoon, was full of relaxation and paddleboarding for the last group of swimmers, with Guy coaching them all while on a kayak! There was quite a few tumbles into the sea and howls of laughter as they fell! Don’t worry though – we were on hand to get the perfect shot! 📷🤣
The parents have loved every second, we have all ate too much, laughed too much, and drank too much – we definately don’t want to come home!!! Swimmers are exhausted, but will be back at the pool for their Thursday session! 🤣
Now time to catch this flight… ✈️
Cyprus ☀️ – Special appreciation post shout out for the following: 📢
💦Huge thank you to coaches Guy and Shirley for their on going commitment to this club to enable this amazing swim camp to happen every year! You are simply the best! 👏🏻
💦 Superstar Alex, club manager – coaching and keeping us all in check (parents too!) and continuously doing a head count! ✅️
💦 Dan and Felicity for running the fantastic land training sets which got all our swimmers hot and sweaty like never before!! 🥵
💦 Aaron for organising the Sponsorship from Amber River Leodis Wealth – supplying us once again with our lovely swim camp tshirts 👕
💦 Robbo and the off shore workers – for fundraising over £250 💰
💦 Maria for raising £400 sponsorship for running the York 10 miler 🏃♀️
💦 Everyone who bought into the blind card football square just before the summer raising another £500 😘
💦 Veronica and Mark for the photography 📸 memories that last forever.
No words can express the impact that the dedication, love and commitment of each and every one of you has on our swimmers and their swimming journey🩷
Now for Swim Camp 2026 ……