Pacific Jules

The rain has set in, a bit of a wind came up later too. Today was a bit more like a mild winter day really, and not a peep of a complaint from anyone. 

The morning yoga people were waiting patiently for people to arrive when I arrived today.  A brilliant community initiative to introduce people to the benefits of yoga and learning to practice together. 

It just looked so ideal today, no huge swell or wind to contend with, not even huge crowds, and the flat water meant I was going to have a nicer swim than I've had recently. 

A few of the early crew about to walk the ramp and about to enter the water

Two of the newbies today, sat and had a chat after their briefing from Ian. Roly and Mikayla-I hope Mikayla enjoyed it and saw some fish or something marine like.

We had a few little waves to bounce over before getting to the point, a nice change from swelly and dumpy waves I'd seen recently.

Sue ( well and truly rehabbed after hip surgery ) with Andre returning as we started. Happy and relaxed faces as we launch into our weekend.

Today I managed to finally do a 6km swim, accompanied by Brian,Ian and Kevin. The swim route had changed because of a boat carnival of some sort at Queenscliff, sorry for lack of detail, really wasn't first and foremost in my mind. But keeping clear of surf skis and boats en masse was a good reason to not swim past Queenscliff to Freshwater, and to swim the suggested route from management instead. We started as seven people, but three in particular were faster, so then four of us swam sort of together. Regular regroups helped alot and a couple of swigs of water at Shelley helped too. 

The only marine life I saw and managed to photograph was a fiddler ray. The eagle ray flew under me but never stopped. So I decided today wasn't the day to go chasing him with people ahead at Shelley. We met at the point after leaving Shelley for the first time, got some directions from JK about safety, and not being competitive, achieving our goal of swimming the distance. Here's some pics from the swim.

The four of us at the end

Thanks Brian and Ian for keeping us together and going, nice company from all of you.

We bumped into Mark mid swim-he's training for a marathon swim in July.

We found out after we were well into the swim that Shelley and Manly were closed due to pollution. Wasn't the clearest swim I've had but definitely not the dirtiest either.

My coffee after 

Tomorrow we start from Shelley Beach, not Manly. There's a nippers carnival at Manly Beach. 

Stats from today: temperature 21.9 degrees, 8 new swimmers, 320 total swam.

New B&B Merchandise

Fancy a new item of B&B merchandise to brighten up your wardrobe.

Check out B&B’s new T-shirt for summer (also available in white type) 

 

Orders are available online along with all of our fun B&B merchandise at: https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/clothing.html 

 

Have a great weekend everyone :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Monthly Dinner – 11^th February 2020 – Guest Speaker

 

The first B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 11th February at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest on the night will be Julianna Kadar, who is a PhD student at Macquarie University. She is also a member of the Homeward Bound Program which is working to build and upskill a network of 1,000 women in STEM over ten years. Julianna will talk about her study on the Behaviour of Port Jackson Sharks. Her work involves finding out more about the activity patterns of the Port Jackson shark using bio-loggers. Her study includes both captive and wild experiments and aims to analyse distinct shark behaviour signatures. Her talk will cover variation in behaviour, social networks and migration of our lovable PJ.

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 .

 

Friday 17 January 2020 It's raining!!!

What a glorious morning - grey and overcast with rain clouds not smoke. The water was lovely and inviting at 22 degrees. 

So many people harnessed their power to get out of bed and get into the swim and were glad

Look at the smiles

Happy birthday Marcelo. Elisha has come along to celebrate along with all of BB

Next triathlon is Kurnell tomorrow. I used to think triathletes were just undecided but it turns out they are keen

 

WOW

Long time no see

 

Excellent caps 

Arranging a birthday song

A team: quality not quantity today

More birthday wishes.

Hi Richard from Norwich UK on the left. He usually swims in lakes and cooler temps. I hope it went well today

Gorgeous

Nick and Allan

Early swimmers exiting

passing the baton

A bit of excitement 

Marcelo birthday boy says

Lets go

 

Bruce is here from HongKong to swim

cap envy

Cheryl found an octopus

Glorious grey clouds

Elbow of the day

triathlets out and about



Jill and John 

 

Lucas, Maya and Josh doing a cake stall for bushfire help. Thanks 

Wave

doubler shower scene

Fancy a new item of B&B merchandise to brighten up your wardrobe.

Check out B&B’s new T-shirt for summer (also available in white type) 

Orders are available online along with all of our fun B&B merchandise at: https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/clothing.html 

 

Not cry babies

but craybabies

What I am reading

Haunts of the Black Masseur: the swimmer as hero. The author recently died. It looks at swimming in literature and is very enjoyable 

Me - trying this breathing out through the nose

 

Thursday 16 January: Let the rain come falling down

This morning all the talk at B&B was about the predicted rain which is slowly making its way up the East Coast of Australia.  While we are use to the grey sky - more recently choked with smoke and smog - one thing that is not so familiar is the wet substance coming from the sky.  Even for us swimmers the predicted large amount of rain is welcome relief to all - so now let it rain for days!!

Bold and Beautiful swim is as much about friendships and connecting with people as it is is about the swim.  We love our morning get together for a variety of reasons. Robin and John were full of chatter about their mountain biking experience in New Zealand

Like most mornings there is always deep discussion.

And nerves for the 12 new swimmers signing up with Anne.

For some its about well earned "quiet" time away from the kids. With visiting grandparents to take care of the kids, we're told Lucy even has a date night planned!!!

These B&B regulars are also CanToo'ing - with their sights set on the Big Swim from Palm to Whale.

Whatever prompts you to get down to B&B its always a great day if you have swum.

Till next time

Myrtle
xx

Management notices:

Water temp: 22
Newbies: 12
Total swimmers: 294

Sunday swim fro
m Shelly Beach

On Sunday we will be swimming from Shelly Beach as there is a nippers carnival at Manly.  Please allow extra time to walk around to Shelly Beach.

B&B Merch

Fancy a new item of B&B merchandise to brighten up your wardrobe.

Check out B&B’s new T-shirt for summer.  This t-shirt is also available with white type for those not so fond of the pink.

 

Orders are available online along with all of our fun B&B merchandise at:https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/clothing.html

 

 

15/01/2020 - The Bold and Booty-ful

Our swim group is called a few different things. I like 'The Pink Caps', the B&B and 'The Bolds', not so keen on 'The Bold and the Beautiful'. Jac came up with a different name today and here are a few swimmers showing their booties post-swim!. Unfortunately I was told I wasn't blogging today so missed out on a whole heap of photo opportunities! 

My morning started with a run to Curl Curl with Manly Beach Running Club. Sunrise over Freshie at 6am...

Then I went to the changing rooms to get a report from the early ladies as to whether they'd seen any sharks etc.Unfortunately I caught Jo without her teeth in! ;-) and Lesbubbs checking her hair for nits ;-)

A chat to some 'nice' guys...Greg has just come back from 28 days fire fighting. He was with the Northern Beaches Strike Team and they saved the town of Bendalong. A huge 'Thank you' Greg and team. Our cake stall at the weekend raised over $1400 for the Red Cross by the way. Thanks to everyone who bought, baked, donated and Roz for organising.

 

Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of swimmers at Shelly as I didn't think I was blogging but I did catch the juvenile Grey Nurse at last. Big thanks to Cheryl who led Anne and I to him. Not a good photo at all as he was pretty deep and quite small. He could easily be mistaken for a Dusky but he has more fins.

I took this photo of one, a year ago in clearer and shallower water so keep your eyes open folks!

Lucky to get 2 Eagle Rays together

...and a big blue Groper yesterday afternoon!

Post-swim photos, Jac, Michael, Pete and Nick

Brian, Phil, Sue, Martin, Kate, Lucy, Edwina, Shelley and Inge

Here's John with Jac, Sue, Dave, Greg, Janet and Em...converting us all to a plant based diet to help save the environment.

Found this cartoon in keeping with the theme

and one swimmer who won't be named, (Richard Lacey) showing his booty ;-) a couple of years back

Rusty's booty

McNaughties booties!

Have a great day folks!

Water temp 22 degrees!

Swimmers around 290

Newbies a few!

 

 

Are we resolute?

It’s now mid Jan and I checked in with myself to see how my new year resolution of practicing my banjo was going...hmmmm...to be honest I could be plucking a little more, but I take comfort in the fact that I have 352 more days to make it happen! And for all you quick mathematicians out there, 2020 is a leap year and I get an extra day! Bonus!! 

But surely I couldn’t be the only one that had fallen off the resolution wagon already? So, today, I’m checking in with the most disciplined crowd I know to see if A: did they make a resolution? And B: did they stick to it?  

JK, one of our fearless leaders, says that he is still following up on the last 2 resolutions! What are they? I hear you ask...One was to give blood, which he has done 88 times and hoping to hit the 100 mark this year and the other was to stop using his phone whilst driving...we hope so too JK! 

You can also see him here pointing out a very important message on the white board for this Sunday's swim, it reads, " Sunday swim from Shelly beach. ( National Nippers carnival)"

So important that the message is reiterated by John Bond!He also says that his resolution is standard, maintain his good health and fitness...it's clear he hasn't dropped off the wagon! 

The gorgeous duo of Barb and 'THE Suze' were all smiles this morning. Barb says, "she wants to do less better", me too Barb and The Suze has a new mantra, to heal, specifically the nation! No wonder Barb prefaced her with THE! We are all with you Suze. x

These lovely ladies, Attracta and Mahdi, were all over their NYR. Attracta is trying out a new recipe every week. What time is dinner Attracta? and what's your address? We don't eat much! And Mahdi, she's working on her golf handicap. She say's although she's trying, it isn't working. I say, don't give up Mahdi, you've got this!

 

It's about now I would have inserted a lovely pic of Sam, Gunda, Kirsty and Will but instead i am inserting a headless shot. I think I must have been a little distracted by the enormous surf behind them. I did hear a swimmer say it was only cappuccino froth, ok, let's go with that. Or maybe I was still laughing at Wills response to my question this morning, " Is it 2020? I thought it was still 2019" Hahaha. Sorry guys. I will resolve to do better photography for my next blog!

Neil, pictured with Karen, says his NYR is to leave the beach before the BNB arrive, sorry Neil, looks like that's not happening so far this year and Karen is going to "Shhhhmile more" That's very easy for Karen. She's always smiling :) 

Michael believes that New Years resolutions inhibit broadening his horizons! And then he proceeded to shadow me and steal everybody else's. Although he wasn't too keen on Michelle's galant effort of only having alcohol on the weekends or Martin's, no beer policy mid week! Both of them still sticking to it! Good work guys!

 

2 of the finest examples of BNB swimmers, Penny and Lainey, have just completed a triathlon. Both of them first in their age groups! There is no question that Laineys New Years resolve of pushing the boundaries is paying off and Penny's of, doing a triathlon, is impressive. No fallen off wagon's here. Congrats girls, an amazing way to start the year. 

Rob, Monica, Cheryl and Jane. 

Rob says he wants to keep swimming, me too Rob. And Monica needs more time to figure out her resolution this year. Maybe Chinese New Year Mon? 

 

The wall had an extension added to it this morning. Inge picked up some beach chairs and Cheryl and I decided to chill out before the swim. It was the perfect opportunity to ask her about the start of the new decade. She says she wants to swim less, having only done 1x 6k and 1 x 10k and a couple of triples this year, she is moving into free diving. For those of you that don't know Cheryl, she swims a lot and for a long time. I'm eager to check in with her in a few months to track her progress. That's something to aspire to folks! 

 

Here are a few newbies too. We love the newbies, perhaps they are chasing their 2020 resolutions to swim with the BNB...yay!!

Melissa and Zhi

Kate ( on the right) and her mate. 

 

Whether you have decided to do some thing new, different, scary, challenging or move through every day doing what you love, one thing remains clear...I better go practice that banjo! It was a wonderful swim today, albeit a big swell. The water was a balmy 22 degrees and there was at least 100 swimmers, but probably no more than 200! 

 

DON'T FORGET SUNDAY'S SWIM STARTS AT SHELLY. 

 

Have a great day y'all. 

 

Fin Yoga xx

 

 

 

Monday 13 January 2020 - Simon’s clean sweep & The 6:30 Express.

Neil, Simon & Mick.

 

Simon’s clean sweep.

Three Simons.

Shane (left) swam with his mate Tim and sons Bailey & Ben.

 

Drinkless express meets on the ramp @6:29am.

 

I swam at 6:29am with Lucy & Shelley.

 

The lifeguards setup the flags@7:05am.



Ross pointed out Rob’s strapping.

 

Ava & Surfer Dad Rainer with neighbour Sarah.

Marco & Brian.

 

Peter & Jackie.

Dom & Lisa.

Swimmers: 150+, Newbies: 3, Water temp: 21.4 degrees C.

 

Have a great week ahead....

Simon 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, Jan 12 - the return of JK

A very slow start to the morning but there was a definite buzz building as people arrived.

Initially I thought it was the rare sighting of Rainer, king of the foamies,  our own version of Kelly Slater

 

However, today even he was outshone by a newbie by the name of Chloe McCardell.

Chloe apart from having swum the English Channel 35 times also holds the world record for the longest ever unassisted open-water swim, at 128 km.

It certainly puts my feeble double efforts to shame.

It was also day 2 of the cake stall in aid of bushfire relief. $800 worth of cakes sold yesterday with Roz keen to break a combined total of $1,400 today.

 

Sorry, I've just spent 2 hours uploading photos and text but Typepad has collapsed and I can't add any further photos to the blog.

Temp: 20.0

Newbies: lots

Swimmers; 434

 

 

Another Feisty Surf Swim

There's always lots going on here on  weekend days and today was no exception.

Roz organised one of the famous B&B cake stalls, this one to raise funds for the Red Cross Fire Appeal

Amelie did a fabulous work decorating these cup cakes

The cake-fest continues tomorrow, so as Joe the Gadget Man used to say, bring your money with you. Edible contributions to the stall will also be very welcome.

There was a bit of surf this morning

A reasonable sized crowd today, although down from the Christmas and New Year weeks

But still a few newbies

Shaun's Angels, Lisa and Bin

Jo's new puppy Ginger getting a big smoochy kissy kiss from Edwina. That is one cute hound




6:30 swimmers coming back, 7:00 swimmers heading out

Not the only photographer in the village

The waves were up a bit, but manageable

Shortly after the let's go at the Point

All swim styles are legal here

At Shelley

Chris (on the left with Greg, Sue and Daphne) is heading back to Hong Kong after 2 months in Sydney

Announcements for double, triple and 6km swims

Let's go!

The swimmers of multiple laps milling about the Point

A nice shot of Inge if I say so myself. Some of the 6km swimmers in the background, preparing for an anticipated rough passage

Doublers and triplers at Shelley. They say swimming is good for your mental health........

Some surf club action coming back in

And a surfer

Not as powerful as it looks, but coming in was a little bit of a challenge

We made it, though

No management notices that I can see

Newbies - quite a few

Swimmers - also quite a few

Water temp - over 21

What am I listening to?

This!

Flat Friday January 10: Day of the Newbie

Today’s water conditions were fabulously flat… perfect for a newbie and my goodness there were newbies (and regulars) galore – today’s blog is dedicated to them and congratulating them for joining one of the greatest swims ever. Hope you all get hooked.

Of course that is not detracting from the regulars – 161 attended the 6:30 session which meant that by the time the 7amers were getting in, the returning fleet was the only cause for commotion in the otherwise velvet like water.

 

Smooth sailing swimmers at the 6:30 start:

 

Let’s hear it for the Newbies:

This newbie joins us visiting from the UK as she unites with her swimming pal:

 

Moving to the regulars and some of this crew travel from Wahroonga to get here:

 

To say swimming conditions were optimal today would be an understatement. Here's some colourful crews as the 7am start:

 

Midswim marvel smiles:

 

Halfway point. Pals appreciating the view at Shelley:

 

Family fun:

 

And lastly a special birthday shout out to Luke today!

 

Stats:

Swimmers: 110 (currently on website, more like 400+)

Newbies: 28

Water temp: 21.6

Thursday January 9 :I'll see it when I believe it

You could call it a secret sauce, or the sizzle on the steak, or even the 11 herbs and spices. It’s about the accidental conversations we have post swim, and how they add the secret ingredient to a delicious swim. This morning we talked about growth mindset, the choice we make to think big, to feel optimistic, and to leave world better off as a result. Carol Dweck found 30 years ago that mindset is a choice. Here’s her Ted Talk Carol Dweck  We have no control over what thoughts come into our heads, but we have all the choices about what to do with them after they arrive. It turns out people with a growth mindset are happier, healthier, have better relationships, and change the world in a positive way. Its focusing on believing you can be better and the world around you can be better too. I’ve been working through some significant health challenges recently, and have learned the first step to recovery is believing its possible. When we are under stress, we default to a negative pessimistic way of thinking. And our beliefs take on a physical manifestation in our bodies. Thoughts become things and we can literally think ourselves into wellness and happiness.  Recent work on Neuro plasticity means we can literally change how our brain works. Turns out we are not born optimists and pessimists, rather we learned how to think and see things a certain way. And we can unlearn that thinking and relearn a more useful, Growth Mindset way of thinking.  It’s a choice worth taking. Some people say ‘I’ll believe it when I see it', I like to think ‘I’ll see it when I believe it.’

 

See it when you believe it,

 

Pete Anthony

Water Temperature 21.4 (felt like 28.529)

Swimmers 333 (felt like 334.987)

Newbies 17 (felt like 16.367)