31/8/2011: Winter is dead – Long live the Spring!

Wednesday, 31 August 2011

31/8/2011: Winter is dead – Long live the Spring!

Yet another DOUBLE blog today - update from Jules below.

Today’s turnout: 52 swam

Winter wonderland, great visibility, just to damn cold to stick around and enjoy the aquarium conditions.

Last day of winter.....i think I noticed a few ice blocks, and a polar bear floating past this morning, not sure of the actual temp cause Professor Nick TB didn't turn up with the thermometer, maybe Lesley really did break it yesterday by taking it for a swim with her?

Winter Without a Wetsuit WINNER goes to Neil Cowan. Neil swam every morning of winter, Well Done Neil thats dedication.

Several swimmers did an early end of winter double lap at 6.20 this morning.

Fact of the day: A dolphin's hearing is so acute that it can pick up an underwater sound from 24 kilometres away.

Stephen C Pics:

James at 6:20

James seeing if it's still there, it's cold

View from the Point

Sunrise

Pink caps

Dardanelles update:

Proud to be pink !!

100% of us completed the 6.2km swim across the Dardanelles from Europe to Asia, how sensational is that.

What an amazing day and what a team...

We left the hotel after a little breakfast at 8.45am to go into town and get registered and have yet another medical. Mahdi and John got sent behind the tents for a little rest as their blood pressures were too high... after a soothing talk from Michelle all was calm and all the boxes were ticked, we were all good to go with our timing chips and orange bonnets. A couple of hours to 'relax', enjoy the local scenery and check the water temperature before we got the bus and ferry to the start.

Michael formed his usual water temperature duty for us and despite the Turkish meteorological department stating a meagre 22 degrees, Michael delivered a much more comforting 24.9 degrees. Vicki and Mahdi did a double check for luck confirming the exact same 24.9, but their
measuring attracted a lot more attention... we are expecting to see this photo appear in the local papers to tomorrow.

Just before 1pm the starting gun sounds and off we go, dutifully heading against the current out to the first boat with red balloons 700m off shore, a long 700m it was too, then take a slight right aiming for the radio beacon on the shore until we come to a second boat with balloons. I don't know if anyone else in the event found that second boat but John and I sure did, then another right to enjoy the current all the way to the finish line somewhere down the coast....

Michelle 'made friends' with a ferry who sounded its horn at her. Mahdi had her own personal escort boat for most of the way which kindly kept her on track. Vicki and Michael C were a solid team keeping each other on the straight and narrow. Izzy made friends with another swimmer as they stopped to ask people for directions as if looking for a train station in Paris. Michael A said the first 700m to the first boat was the hardest thing he has done and he either had to give up of get on with it, thankfully he chose to get on with it. Debbie found a Turkish swimmer who she thought would know the way so she followed his bubbles all the way to the finishing ramp. Greg and
Rosemary pulled out all the stops and had a terrific swim. Incase all of us finishing wasn't enough, we also took home 6 medals in our age groups: John Bond, Izzy and myself won a second and Vicki, Rosemary and Michael C won a third !! :-)

We also bumped into 3 other people out here, participating in the swim, who also swim with B&B: Frank Williams, Jenny Hole who won her age group and Gail Kennedy, how cool was that.

The swimmers in pink got lots of positive attention and we even got interviewed by Channel 9. The reporter said he hoped it would be aired on The Today show this morning your time, Wednesday 31st August, fingers crossed.

It really was an amazing swim by everyone ! Who would have thought just over 2 and a half years ago when B&B first started that we would all be doing this. I can't tell you how proud I am, a personal best and a fantastic achievement for everyone, well done !!!

Go the Bold & Beautiful !! :-)