Advance Information

Ahead of the Rock Bottoms Lindy Hop & Balboa Weekend, we'll all be putting on our dancing shoes, ready for an unforgettable weekend filled with fantastic music, great company, and plenty of dancing. Whether you're joining us for Lindy Hop, Balboa, or both, we're looking forward to welcoming you for a feast of workshops, social dancing, live music, and fun.

To help you get ready, here's some important information to prepare you for the Rock Bottoms Lindy Hop & Balboa Weekend, taking place 17-20 July 2026.

Feel free to ask us any questions you may still have after reading this info. Also during the weekend please ask any of our team if there's something you think we could help with.

Event Location & Contact

This event is all within the VICTORIA HOTEL (part of the TLH Leisure Resort), Belgrave Road, Torquay TQ2 5HL
Your rooms will be available from 3pm Friday and checkout is 10:30am Monday.
Rock Bottoms contact (Hev): 07967 904096
Victoria Hotel reception: 01803 400200

For our regular visitors to Rock Bottoms who don't need to hear everything again, we have started with the details specific to this event. Further down you'll find more general information.

• Fancy dress for Saturday night - "Your Favourite Snack"
• Pyjamas for Sunday breakfast and Pyjama class
• Eye mask and ear plugs to guarantee good sleep
• Swimming cozzies, so you can make use of the fantastic hotel pools
• Towels for use at the swimming pool (hotel provides towels for your room only)
• Diaries to check out which future Rock Bottoms you can come along to

Don't forget to keep an eye on our Rock Bottoms Facebook group for last minute updates - click here.
For more information, browse the rest of this site.
Any questions or suggestions, please email hev@rockbottoms.com

Last Minute Availability

The Victoria hotel is sold out but we can arrange accommodation in the hotel next door - you'd still join us for dinner each evening. Alternatively we have dance package only tickets or evening tickets (advance payment only). And of course - last minute cancellations can happen. Can't make the full weekend? We offer flexible passes so you can join us for just the day, or just the evening - click here for details.

Workshop Schedule

A schedule of workshops for the weekend will appear here on this page and in the Facebook group soon. Please note you'll need to join the Facebook group to access that version.
Taking a screenshot is best for easy access - click here for our Facebook group.
Please note - no printed schedules will be given out.
Note the additional workshops at 5:30pm on Friday for both of the lower levels of Lindy and Balboa.
Also please note the Strictly style routine in Jenny and Sean's Advanced classes on Saturday. As we have Jenny and her Strictly choreography partner Sean with us we thought you might like to try this. We'll need couples (can be sorted at beginning of first class) and you need to do both classes. We hope many of you will join Jenny and Sean for a Saturday night performance.

Arrival Day Summary

Here is a quick summary of arrival day (Friday) timings, to help you plan when to arrive and what to do when you get there.

• 12 noon: Car park becomes available - hotel rules state that your registration must be entered at screen in reception - or fines may occur.
• 3:00pm: check in opens. Rooms are not ready until 3pm so PLEASE don't ask at reception until this time. You can use the pool or have lunch in the Bistro until it's time to check in.
• 4:30pm - 5:30: "Meet & Greet" - complimentary tea & bickies (bar also open) so you can sit and chat. We also play swing music in the Richmond Lounge so get your dancing shoes on and warm yourselves up.
• 5:30pm - 6:30 first workshops: Jenny and Sean will bring you a Lindy Hop Intermediate workshop in the Warwick Ballroom. Please note the level - we'll be a bit lenient here on allowing a few higher level dancers in but we can't have it too crowded. Nikki will bring you a Balboa beginner / intermediate workshop in the Richmond Lounge. Please also note the level and we'll also be a bit lenient on a few extras joining.
• 6:45pm: Evening Meal in the restaurant - last sitting is normally 8pm but on Friday this is extended to 8:30 to give you a bit more time to travel.
• 8:30pm: Lindy starts in Warwick Room, with a short bottom warmer class at 9pm and teacher introductions at 10:30pm. The Balboa room will open at 10:30pm.

Teachers

Your Lindy teachers for this weekend include Jenny Thomas (of Strictly fame) partnered with her Strictly co-choreographer Sean Moon. We also have the fabulous Bic and Simone Graham, and rounding off this impressive Lindy Hop lineup we have Andy Fleming and Eleanor Graham (no relation to Bic).
As last year for Balboa we have Mel and Jo Calanglang and Nikki Santilli. You loved them so much we had no choice but to bring them back.

Marvin Muoneke and His Swing Band

This man has an amazing voice backed up by a wonderful band. Last year he brought his 4 piece band - this year his 5 piece for an even bigger sound. They'll be livening up the dance floor on Sunday evening helping you all find that last bit of energy for your final night of dancing.

Saturday Night Fancy Dress - Your Favourite Snack!

On Saturday night, it's time for our Fancy Dress Theme Night, and this year's theme is Your Favourite Snack!
Get creative - whether you simply accessorise your outfit or go the whole hog and arrive dressed as a hamburger, Mars bar, packet of crisps, or any other favourite snack, we can't wait to see your ideas.
Fancy dress begins at dinner on Saturday, and there will be prizes awarded in the Main Ballroom at 9:00pm.

Lead / Follow

We have several ladies who are booked in to the event as leads. For all workshops they will take the role of lead. In the evenings it may look a little follow heavy looking around the room but we will help you all spot who is mainly a lead by having different coloured wrist bands. You are all of course welcome in the socials to dance either role, but please do your best to help the lead follow balance.

Workshop Levels

• Intermediate We've labelled it level 2 to help you remember it's NOT BEGINNER. As a rough guide you have been attending regular lindy classes less than 2 years. You have covered the basics, but you are looking to consolidate them whilst improving your movement, connection and confidence. This is likely to be the smallest class and hence you should receive more individual attention.
• Intermediate / Advanced As a rough guide you have been attending regular lindy classes for 2 to 4 years. You are confident in mixing 6 and 8 count figures, and have some style on the social dance floor. Your fundamental techniques are in place and so you are ready to experiment with variations.
• Advanced As a rough guide you have been attending regular lindy classes for over 4 years and are a regular visitor to dance camps. Your movement is fluid and it adapts to different partners and different music. You are looking for a real challenge. You are ready to focus on clearer connection, musicality, complex variations, etc.

Note - the schedule is designed so that in addition to your Lindy workshops, you can pop into some Balboa or tasters. You could even visit a lower level Lindy workshop if it's not too busy and if you are helping the lead follow balance. Please DO NOT attempt workshops higher than your level.

• 1: Beginner / Intermediate This will cater for those new to balboa though we hope it will move at a good pace, offering plenty of tips and technique for anyone in their first year or so of regular balboa.
• 2: Intermediate As a rough guide you have been attending regular balboa classes for 1 to 3 years. You have covered the basics, but you are looking to consolidate them whilst improving your movement, connection and confidence.
• 3: Intermediate / Advanced You are confident and relaxed on the social dance floor. Your fundamental techniques are solid, your movement is fluid and so you are ready to experiment with variations.

Again you may feel you'd get a lot out of more than one balboa level. That is fine but do think of the other dancers. Take note of our level guides and be kind to other dancers by not over challenging yourself. It can be very frustrating when teachers have to slow up for the stragglers.

Dance Shoes

We'll have a dance shoe stall with us on the Saturday. WOWDANCER have a wide range of dance shoes including Fuegos. Why not check out their website and get in touch to ask them to bring along your size. www.wowdancer.co.uk

Vintage Exchange

If you have any used vintage clothes / shoes for dancing in good condition that you don't wear why not bring them along and make a few quid?
Whether selling or buying, please follow our instructions displayed on the stall.
PLEASE LABEL EACH ITEM WITH NAME, PHONE NUMBER, PRICE AND SIZE.
Please note this stall will not be manned so you are leaving your items at your own risk.

Massage

We are sorry to say that we have no Rock Bottoms masseurs this time. If you need a massage you'll have to book in at the hotel health spa.

Workshops

These will run throughout Saturday and Sunday from 10am through to 6pm. All Lindy and Balboa workshops are levelled so PLEASE ADHERE TO OUR LEVEL GUIDES.

Evening Dances

Music for Lindy starts in the Warwick Room at 8:30pm each evening. The Richmond Lounge opens at 10:30pm with Balboa through to at least 12:30am. Do look at the printed DJ schedules on the venue doors as this will give details of all extra evening entertainment.

Bottom Warmer

This is a short fun class on Friday at 9pm and it's aim is to get people onto the floor, mixing with new people, and dancing.

Pyjama Class

A tradition of Rock Bottoms is the Sunday morning pyjama class. This is a bit off the wall, and is basically about having a good laugh. It does result in a fun routine being learnt as we all dance around in our pyjamas.
We'd encourage as many of you as possible to take part.

Cabarets

We have the teacher cabaret on Saturday night at 10pm, and on Sunday night around 9pm we have an extra performance from the pyjama class. There'll be just enough time to change after the pyjama performance before the band come on.

Official Photographer

Alex Hardie will be taking shots throughout the weekend. A good selection of his photos will go up on our Facebook page after the event. To see the complete collection you'll need to go to Alex's website http://www.alexhardiephotography.co.uk/

Video Recording Rules

You may not film during workshops, but at the end of a workshop if you ask nicely the teachers may do a short demo of the workshop material - have your phones at the ready. You may also film the cabarets for your own personal use only. Rock Bottoms will upload the cabarets to our Facebook group (if teachers allow).

Rock Bottoms Shop

Rock Bottoms have their own 'shop' with T-shirts, hoodies, fans, shoe bags, water bottles etc.

Your rooms will be available from 3pm Friday and checkout is 10:30am Monday.
Victoria Hotel reception: 01803 400200

Directions

For help in getting to the Victoria Hotel, please check out our Hotel page. Or plug TQ2 5HL into your Sat Nav.
Do make sure you have current traffic information as it is possible there will be a road closure effecting your route.

Parking

The Victoria Hotel has a car park but this often gets full - if full when you arrive then look for spaces in any of the other car parks in the TLH complex - TLH is the whole block so follow it round and you'll see the Derwent, Carlton and Toorak hotels. (Derwent is biggest)
ON CHECK-IN YOU MUST ENTER YOUR CAR REGISTRATION INTO THE SCREEN AT RECEPTION.

Travel Companions

If travelling on your own, why not put a message on the Rock Bottoms Facebook group to see if you can car share with somebody from your area. This will obviously save on fuel costs and stop the car parks being over crowded.

Train

To ease the strain on the car parks, maybe check out the train - Torquay train station is less than a 10 minute walk from the hotel.

Wristbands

We'll be womanning the Rock Bottoms desk from 2pm where you will receive your wrist band (please put it on before you lose it). The bands will be colour coded to indicate lead or follow SO PLEASE CAN FEMALE LEADS LET US KNOW SO THAT WE DONT WASTE TIME LOOKING YOU UP ON THE FOLLOW LIST.

Meals

Your package includes breakfast and evening meals for the 3 nights of your stay. All meals are served in the hotel dining room, where you may choose to sit with friends or meet some new people.
To easily meet new people during dinner, try our "Meet & Eat" tables - one or two large group tables identified by a balloon or two (door staff can guide you to these tables).
If you are a group wanting to sit together at dinner then we suggest you put your own reserved sign on the table of your choice.
DINNER on Friday starts serving at 6:45, though you can still get served if you arrive any time up to 8:30. If arriving after 8:30, please phone hotel reception to arrange a cold platter to be held for you. ***Note that last serving on other days is 8pm!

Special Diets

If you're veggie, vegan, gluten free or something else and you haven't told us before let us know now. Chef is usually waiting by the restaurant door on FRIDAY EVENING ONLY to chat with anyone who has unusual requirements, asking at the table won't work, he's got a lotta meals to make - bless.

Lunch

The on site Bistro is a great place for lunch (between about 12 and 3). Very sociable layout and good food. Or you can also try Albert's bar directly underneath the Richmond Lounge. If you are planning to go out for lunch, it's about a five minute walk to the sea front or a twenty minute walk into town.

Hotel Facilities

The hotel has a lovely indoor swimming pool, so make sure you bring your cozzie. The hotel also has their very own Aztec Spa too... all manner of treatments happening there. The hotel also has a wonderful hairdressing Salon which Hev visits EVERY time, the staff are brilliant and it's a complete bargain, they are especially good at 'Up' doo's.
If you have any further enquiries about hotel facilities, or if you'd like to make an advance booking, then call them on 01803 400100.

Security

Our workshop venues and evening venues are private to Rock Bottoms, so security is not a big issue. If you all wear your wristbands (issued on arrival) we'll have no problem in identifying anyone who shouldn't be there.

Drinks

You may bring your own soft drinks into the workshops during the day, but please use the hotel bars for drinks in the evenings. Water fountains will be provided at all venues for use day and night.
Wine waiters will circulate during dinner to take your orders - we've tried their house white and red, just for research you understand, and they are both excellent.

Hugs to all from the Rock Bottoms team