Pacific Jules

Friday 20 September 2019 - A day more for being a bit bold than beautiful

Trigger warning: the following blog contains information about waves (scaring the s**t out of me but not literally) swimming and plastic. I hope I did that right.

 

I am exhausted from watching the quadruple crossing of the English Channel and then other Channel swimmers going through the night without regard for my sleeping needs. So excited. I was thinking of that when getting in today and had the usual reservations especially when I saw that Kit had left the water already

Heading in

View of the early swimmers from the path

The usual spot

Great advice from these excellent early swimmers to me to negotiate the waves this morning. I appreciate it so much

Kit 

warm temp but that wind though

Boat moving net. Man walking on sand



The turtle was seen at Shelly - and this is how big it was

People enjoying the getting ready phase of the swim

Here is Alan who lives in Manly but came from Scotland The cold is nothing to him!

Encounters with early swimmers as the 7 am swim starts

 

 

The water was "bouncy" today. That is a level down from "quite bumpy"

Charl checking it out

I am trying to get a sense of waves in the photos

and swimmers were so happy that I called out to them mid-swim. I think

Here is Juliette who waited in the waves for me today - she also saw that Kit had left the water. I appreciate it. The sight of a pink cap is great

 

Half way exit for me which I planned when entering. I think it was unnecessary as it seemed calmer by then but my mind was made up and swimming in the sea needs cooperation from the mind

Management notices:

Newbies
Total swimmers: 90

 

Winter Badge Ceremony

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).

 

Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) invites you to Restart a Heart Day in front of Manly Life Saving Club on Wednesday 16^th October 2019 from 6:30am – 8:30am.

Test your CPR skills in our friendly competition using QCPR resuscitation manikins! On the 16th of October, SLSNSW is also offering a significant discount on selected Defibrillators, save up to $1,000.

To register your interest in purchasing a defibrillator contact Surf Life Saving NSW, 02 9471 8000 or training@surflifesaving.com.au, or buy Online Only on 16 October 2019 (https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/shop).

 

The Monthly Dinner – 8^th October 2019 – Guest Speaker

 

The Next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 8th October at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest on the night will be Local Manly physiotherapist, Jim Burke. Jim will speak about shoulder injuries in swimmers. He will cover a brief outline of the mechanics of the shoulder as well as common causes of injury and a few stretches and exercises that are great in helping prevent ‘swimmer’s shoulder’. 

 

Please book early for this event as it is sure to be popular. The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential. To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book at www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html .

What I have been reading

Controversial to say but I am reading The strange Death of Europe by Douglas Murray. Controversial but interesting and thought provoking. I tried Overstory the overhyped book about trees. i stopped as it was irritating but will give it a bit more of a go 

Thursday 19 September 2019: Your thoughts and deeds can inspire others to greatness

On Tuesday I attended the Sydney Swans Champions Dinner and it left interesting thoughts with me about how our words and deeds can be the thing that inspires another to greatness.  Dane Rampe, who took out the Bob Skilton medal recounted how, in his early days at the club, it was Nick Smith who quietly on the side one day told him he had the ability to be far better than him and how those few words had inspired him to knuckle down and get stuck into training and focus on the job at hand.  His final words to his young teammates was something along the lines of don't wait for things to happen, make things happen for yourself!!  If you have time check out the Sydney Swans website and listen to his acceptance speech.

The main reason I love swimming with Bold and Beautiful is that we have plenty of our own heroes and people that inspire.  I know that no matter the day of the week, rain, sun, small waves, big waves and everything in between, at some stage of the early morning people will be swimming.

So while yesterday I looked out my window and saw a sea of whitewash near the Queenscliff end of the beach, today it wasn't quite so bad and looking towards the Bower I couldn't see waves crashing up and over the path to Shelly Beach.

And I wasn't disappointed. Ian and Anne are always there bright and early on Thursdays to welcome nervous swimmers like me and offer comforting words that leave you feeling like its all going to be okay.

I love that there are always familiar faces to chat to and no one cares whether you swim half way, the full way, with a snorkel, flippers, breaststroke and everything in between.  We are all just happy to be out enjoying the ocean and the perfect start to any day.

Annie hasn't talked Peter in to swimming yet, but he goes for a walk while Annie embraces the swim.

Penny and Peter are also regular swimmers.  Penny at the weekend was one of our many swimmers who took part in the Sydney Running Festival with distances including a 3k bridge walk, 10k bridge run, 21.1k half marathon and 42.2k full marathon.  Penny was happy with her time at the weekend - well done.

Greg and Sue are another inspirational couple.  Sue is kind of a little nuts - but a good nuts - she is a regular doubler, tripler - sometimes on the same morning!!! Makes me tired just thinking about it - but still a legend of our group.

As I was getting ready to get in this morning drinking and his 6.30 mob were just getting back and reassured me that it was fabulous this morning - I reckon he'd say that even if conditions were not great, such is his excitement for the swim and being in the water in the morning.



More 6.30 speeedsters getting back!!!

The A-team seldom miss a day!!!

Lainey is always so full of life and joyous in the mornings.  She often runs then does booty camp before swimming - another inspiration!!!


We have so many inspiring and kind people in our group - so don't make excuses about the weather, just get our and join us for a swim - you're going to get wet anyway!!

Have a wonderful day.

Management notices:

Water temp:  17.2
Newbies/suckers: nil
Total swimmers/crazies: 57

Winter Badge Ceremony

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).

 

18/09/2019 Wet, windy and straight out of a movie!

"Is it raining? I hadn't noticed!" Andie McDowell, Four Weddings and a Funeral. Correction! Jo Gregory, Bold and the Beautiful. Jo elegantly and unphasedly (is that a word? If not, it is now!)  entered the water at Shelly in gale force winds and rain, making it look as enjoyable and as easy as having a glass of champagne in the sun.

 

Bondy, our daily water temp measurer has great news - 17.3 degrees today!

 

Champs is waving at the camera as he moves confidently through the cold wind and rain into the super rough surf, making it look as easy as walking through clover in the country side - when there's not a drought! Why isn't this rain falling where it is needed most?

 

Petra giving us a demonstration on how to enter half way carefully.

 

Shelley following suit!

 

Management Ian waving enthusiastically before ducking and weaving through crashing waves with Petra.

 

 

Ted and Shane

John and Lainey

Dave and John - all these swimmers are looking very cool, calm and collected indeed and certainly not like they've been battling the elements at the beach.

Happy groups as they congregate at Shelly.

 

Back on shore and Andrew displays the gash on his nose - he thinks he got hit by a board.

 

Only 2 bootys, Kit's and John's, turned up for Storchy's Booty Camp this morning!

 

Leisa and her son Ben and pup!

Jo after an early swim. "I don't know why there's no-one here - its lovely!"

 

Warming up after the swim with one of Lesbubs famous faces!

 

All in all a joyous, happy time was had by all! Why wouldn't you swim today??

 

Stuff that hit the cutting room floor. All persons making these comments remain anonymous:

"You'd have to be mad to swim today."

"On the level of shiteness it was a 9 3/4. No didn’t swim, I have my limitations"

"The water would have to be filthy!" 

In response to comment above "Kinda chewy and a bit salty!"

"Here is a shitty photo for a shitty day"

Its like a scene out of a scary movie:

"Check out the pine poo"

 

On that note - its goodby from me.  Happy hump day and have a great rest of week.

PS Photo credits! A HUGE thank you to LAINEY who took all but 3 photos! Thanks to Janet and Champs for their photo contributions too! Nothing like working remotely particularly on lovely days like today 😆 ! 

 

Stats: 

Swimmers - just the crazy ones

Newbies - certainly not

Water temp: divine 17.3

 

2019 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22^nd September

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).

 

The Monthly Dinner – 8^th October 2019 – Guest Speaker

The Next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 8th October at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest on the night will be Local Manly physiotherapist, Jim Burke. Jim will speak about shoulder injuries in swimmers. He will cover a brief outline of the mechanics of the shoulder as well as common causes of injury and a few stretches and exercises that are great in helping prevent ‘swimmer’s shoulder’. 

Please book early for this event as it is sure to be popular. The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential. To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book atwww.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html .

 

 

Tues 17th: Were You Warm in Bed?

Air:  11º

Wind:  Nil

Rain: Constant drizzle

Water:  17.0º

Conditions: Flat (Great!)

Waves: Nil

Vis: 45%

Swam: Not many

Parking: Heaps

 

 

 

 

 

Lainey's Pix Support

 

 

 

 

2019 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22^nd September

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).

 

16/09/19 - Two Things

Whether it's depression, anxiety, addictive behaviour, any number of terminal lifestyle diseases, or simply comparing where you are right now with where you want to be in life. There are two factors that seem to continually pop up as solutions, both in the medical literature and in the myriad of individual experience.

Meaning and Connection.

No matter how long the journey may seem, and regardless of the beguiling shortcuts on offer, it almost always comes back to deviating from the current ordinary and taking a path of meaning and connection.

Of course you'll probably never know the meaning you seek when you start, nor have a clue of what it is you need to connect with at the beginning.

The important thing is to begin, the best time is today, a good place is right here...

What meaning(s) does your swim have for you? How does it help you find connection?



(click photos to expand...)

 

 

 

 

With love,
Andrew Maher.
Foundation, Neuro-Structural Optimisation. Collaroy (mention you swim with B&B)


Stats:
Water temp: 17.5°
Ambient Temp:  16° at 7am.
Swimmers: 148
Newbies: 3


Notices:

Winter Badge Ceremony!

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).

Picture perfect day - 15-09-19

If there is a photo to capture today's swim, this is it. So full of exuberance.

Cath and Leonie are loving the glorious Spring weather.

The beach looked perfectly groomed this morning.

The water is just slightly warmer. Not quite enough for the wetsuits to be shed just yet.

 

Lots of people out doing their own Sunday blogging. Or maybe just working on their digital camera skills.

And, naturally, we are such a photogenic bunch in our various swimming attire.

 

One of the things I tell people who are hesitant to do this swim, "...because they are not sure they can swim that far ", is that you do it your own way. 

Forwards...

or backwards...

you can do it anyway you like - just as long as you can get to Shelly.

Jo does it EVERY DAY!!

The water was a little murky with a bit of weed floating around.

A lovely Ray on the move.

And loads of fish! But no Turtle sighting today.

Cute Lachlan can't wait to join his Dad and Grand Dad for a swim. 

Management tells me that today's stats are:

Swimmers - 250

Newbies - 8

Have a delightful Sunday

Mary

 

Notices:

Winter Badge Ceremony

 

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).

Summer is coming and so are the swimmers

280 swimmers and 9 newbies despite the still cool water temps

(I must say I'm rather partial to the colours of this year's winter badge. Don't forget The Ceremony on 22 September, let's all get in sync for it)

It's a newish feeling to leave home in full daylight but in a few weeks when daylight saving starts we'll be back with darker mornings for a while.

The early morning ambience at Manly

The 6:30 crew, some of

Dog of the day, Polly

Here are 4 newbies, all the way from Cronulla. When I asked if they were going to the NRL game against Manly later and they said maybe. Hope you enjoyed your first swim with the Bolds, and we see you back soon.

The drum lines are back nuff said

It's Robyn's birthday - happy birthday, Rob, hope it keeps getting better all day. Here with son Edward, and Kerry

Errol

Another of Robyn's sons, Keith with honorary WOW Dave

Gillian blog tarting

In we go

A gentle reminder on etiquette - this is a social swim. Barging through your fellow swimmers and potentially causing injury is just not nice. If you want to get past someone and there isn't space between that person and the people next to them, please just go around them.

At Shelley

Cloning

Amelia and Elanora.  6 weeks to go, Amelia before you meet your small human

I only just caught Robyn's birthday splashes

Once again I missed the turtle, but we have lots of friends in the bay

The crayweed appears to be growing

The surf lifesaving season starts in 2 weeks' time, and the activity is hotting up.

Robyn and Edwina

Here's fabulous sea creature photographer and fellow blogger Lainey, smiling despite having missed the turtle too.

Some of the OMOS (Old Men Of the Shed) trying to keep the evil Witch of the WOWs at bay

Fellow blogger Elizabeth reckons I take fabulous wave shots. This is the best I could manage in today's flat conditions

Management notices

2019 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22^nd September

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).

 

EMMA'S AT IT AGAIN!!

I've signed up to walk 35km in one day in The Bloody Long Walk. I'm walking to support people living with mitochondrial disease (mito), a debilitating, terminal disease that affects thousands of Aussie kids and adults. Mito is a cruel disease that can strike anyone at any age. There is no cure.
Please support my 35km walk by making a donation through my fundraising page:
https://event.bloodylongwalk.com.au/s/7410/8175/e
All donations are tax-deductible and a receipt will be sent to you immediately. Your support will help The Mito Foundation continue their work to improve the lives of people living with mitochondrial disease and fund research to find a cure.
Thank you.
Emma Grose

What am I listening to? While writing this blog a documentary came up on my Youtube feed while I was listening to something entirely unrelated  - the collaboration of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. It was a interesting doco and I am a sucker for vocal harmonies which is a good thing because I get to listen to music I may not normally. 

 

Friday 13th not Black but a bit dark

Friday the 13th, Black Friday? No but there were some dark moody clouds which I love as it sets off the pink caps so well. It was 17.2 today in the water and not too bad out. 

Today was the birthday of Sarah and Nathan

The triathletes had cake for Nathan's birthday - thanks Chris for the photo

They say that running makes you happy but when I approached the triathlete area, I think I found something additional out when glancing (like a sticky beak) in a triathlete bag

 

Elbows and waves

I am trying to get waves and elbows

I was shocked this week when looking at youtube about swimming finding out two things:

1. you are supposed to do lots of swimming to improve. looking at good swimming is not enough
2. one of the videos showed a high elbow inside the water. the elbow that I am looking at is the wrong thing. That is not the elbow in the catch which powers you. OMG I don't know anything

 

 

 

 

Management notices

Swimmers: 230

2019 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22^nd September

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).

 

EMMA'S AT IT AGAIN!!

I've signed up to walk 35km in one day in The Bloody Long Walk. I'm walking to support people living with mitochondrial disease (mito), a debilitating, terminal disease that affects thousands of Aussie kids and adults. Mito is a cruel disease that can strike anyone at any age. There is no cure.
Please support my 35km walk by making a donation through my fundraising page:
https://event.bloodylongwalk.com.au/s/7410/8175/e
All donations are tax-deductible and a receipt will be sent to you immediately. Your support will help The Mito Foundation continue their work to improve the lives of people living with mitochondrial disease and fund research to find a cure.
Thank you.
Emma Grose

 

What I have been reading

continuing with the crime novels set in the Lakes District. Now on book 3. I joined a FB bookclub and started reading Evvie Dark Starts over but it is total chick-lit or made for tv type plot. I will have to join a different bookclub. The next book I will read is on its way as it is not on kindle - We the Corporations. It is about how companies have over time gained certain rights. 

Thursday 12 September From the sandman to love on the sand

The inspiration for this morning's blog is from Anne Edwards who suggested I blog on sand. When I asked why she said 'You wouldn't have  a beach without sand. And then I thought well, I wake up after a night with  the sandman. Then I don't like to have my head stuck in the sand because as they say on the soapies 'Like sand through the hourglass there goes the days of our lives.' Now I don't want to sandbag you or create a sandstorm in a teacup or even get caught in the quicksand. And after all this talk about sand I wouldn't want you to think I have salophilia - the sometime perverse attraction to salty things. 

There were lots of folks this morning looking forward to feeling the sand between their toes...

And what better way to end my rant on sand than to see true love on the sand with Kim & Sterling...

See you on the sand,

Pete Anthony

 

Stats

Temperature: 17.2 (Felt like 17.34525)

Swimmers 96 (Felt like 97)

Newbies 0 (Felt like 1)

2019 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22^nd September

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle). 

 

11/09/2019 - Turtles and Legends

Well there was only one gorgeous Green Turtle this morning but as usual lots of legends! Inspiring people like Pierre Lord who has just come back from swimming from Ireland to Scotland and Emily Kempson, Australia's Ultraman Female champion who talked to us last night about her incredible achievement at the Bluewater dinner. Amongst these 'Superheroes' there are so many amazing people like legally blind Roger who has swam more kms this month than any other swimmer...So many inspirations. All those who swam without a wetsuit this week in the windy, cold air and 15.9 also deserve a pat on the back in my opinion! 

The sun rose at 5.59am this beautiful Wednesday morning. There was a bit of cloud cover so we didn't get a colourful sunrise but the sun was out for the early swimmers seen here and the air was warmer than the last few days...

A motley crew of swimmers pose at 6.55am ready for their Vitamin Sea. (Talking of which, if you talk to most people who swam throughout Winter most avoided colds and the flu). That cold water really is so good for us.

Here is Pierre on the right with fellow channel swimmers Greg and Niels. I will mention more about Pierre's amazing achievement swimming The North Channel later in the blog.

It was a little bumpy today so I caught a few swimmers getting shocked by that first wave as they went in!

Dave and Matt aka Pete, swim early and don't often get on the blog so here they are at crossover.

Here we have Mauricio with his daughter. He is an amazing free diver and photographer and told me he saw a Grey Nurse this morning over by the pool. I rushed around to halfway then!

I caught up with Pauline, Dea and Jenny who noticed this huge Ray on the ocean floor not far from the steps!

Caught some blog tarts at Shelly. Here we have Rainer with Ronald, Leisa, Wendy and Anne

Rainer pulled one of his beautiful expressions that have appeared on many blogs and scared away prospective swimmers!

As I got to the pool my eyes were on the look out for Mauricio's Grey Nurse but I saw Pauline and co looking at this beautiful sight in the weeds.

They got a bit cold and went in. I had a wettie on so hung around and was rewarded as he swam around and surfaced a few times!

 

Then who should appear to share this great experience with me...Sparkles! She was in awe, as these photos show!

Another very special, awesome swim in Cabbage Tree Bay...

PJ and Cuttlefish together. (I took this photo a few days ago)

Gary the Groper on Saturday

Diamondfish

It's great to have Dr John back swimming with us. Here he is with girlfriend Kate. I met him when he swam with us as a trainee Doctor in 2012. Dr Patrick his supervisor told him he had to swim with the B&B. In 2015 he returned to Cardiff but is now back and working as a flying anaesthetist based at Bankstown and here to stay!

Two total legends above, Brendan and Pierre. It was great to hear about Pierre's North Channel crossing this morning. It is one of the toughest ocean swims in the world and only 80 people have completed it. It was 34 kms and took him 12 3/4 hours. He said he was lucky to get 13.9 degree water but had trained for 10 degree water. Just before he started the swim he met a Hungarian guy who was attempting the swim for the third time. This guy had been so badly stung by the Lions Mane jellyfish the year before he had ended up in a coma. Yet here he was trying again! As you could expect Pierre spent the next 13 + hours looking out for jellyfish with good old mate Brendan in the boat whistling when he saw one!

Pierre and his fellow channel crossers.

Pierre getting ready. He had to put a fair bit of meat on to do this swim but assures me he has already lost 6 kilos and will be soon back to his slim, svelte self. (He is also single and ready to mingle for any ladies reading ;-))

The crossing from Ireland to Scotland

This group just listened in awe to Pierre's tales. However, I have to add they are also legends in their own right for various reasons. Gunnar only learned to swim from youtube 2 years ago and does doubles every day, Sue M regularly clocks up 5km before a day of teaching and Roger told us about swimming 2kms in freezing water at Hobart's Dark Mofo Festival in June!

Have a fantastic day everyone!

2019 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22^nd September

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle). 

signing off

Lainey

2019 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22^nd September

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster.  Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and .... RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don't forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).