Whilst fake B&B calendars float around B&B changing rooms (the trees and the tables) (see http://pacificjules.typepad.com/pacific-jules/2014/11/2111-1.html )
and Lips continues to spout and pout (just as he did on that fateful date with the bluebottle)about that Snorkles on the cover (of the official B&B calendar that is) and such like, I thought I'd share a swimming story, mine!
Roll back to 2012 and before I was a 'pink capper' I wore an orange one! Can Too taught me this stroke called freestyle (or front crawl as I had known it for years back in freezing cold swimming lessons in the UK). I had to also learn how to swim in BIG, SCARY WAVES.
Before orange cap wearing, I hated swimming, with a passion! I was lucky if I could doggy paddle for 100m, and yet I was an avid diver? I loved the underwater scenes which played out in front of me, you wouldn't believe how many names I've given fish and their quirky ways! (Note: I'm not mad, it's just too much seawater)
So after my goal event, the Cole classic....I had seen the 'pink caps' and decided 'I want one!'
On 25 April 2012, I became not only a bold and beautiful swimmer, but an original 'blog tart' too. My first swim AND my first blog appearance !
Seen above behind the grey '!!' It is me!
On my first day, I decided to have breakfast which seemed popular with the swimmers, and met the queen of BnB Jules. I also met some great people, who would become my friends and inspire me to swim more often, Nigel, Jules and Corinne.
Very soon, we were sending emails to each other (actually I was sending to the other three) photos of us in the blog, no matter how small!
14th August and it was my birthday, it was truly my favourite start to the day. Several folks shivering but singing happy birthday to me at 7:20am! "Let's go" and we did!
Going into Winter I was determined to swim all the way through and turning up to swim, was "all about the badge". Well it wasn't really, it was more then that! Smiles in the morning, texts to each other to check we were swimming, grey days and the buoyancy (and speed) from wearing a wetsuit! But eventually we all gained our first coveted swim badge!
Blog appearances became a sport and the fictious 'blog spreddy' became a household name.
The spreddy became so competitive, some would even doctor photos before placing them on the blog, so that points couldn't be awarded for that appearance!
It was about this time, I met this man (centre) ......I had to join forces, he wasn't shy or retiring and he had the uncanny way of being in too many photos. If you can't beat them, join them, so, I did!
By joining forces we would dream up ways we could get both of us in the blog! Weekly meetings were held and planning on what to do when, became the norm.
Still those underwater shots needed practice!
About this time, I was also introduced to a shy Elaine and before I knew it we were being blasted round peoples homes from our favourite corner of Australia on morning TV!
Blog tarting got so competitive, people would do anything to try and keep us hidden!
But try as they might, we would still appear!
Christmas 2012, meant we could enjoy a social event dressed up! And dress up we did!
It also meant we took part in a night swim. Imagine swimming with your B&B buddies IN THE DARK! Rainer was grateful for my handy day glo accessories.
Management can we do another one purlease? I reckon if I was timed for that swim it would have been my quickest!
Shy retiring. We are not. Christmas just gave us more of a chance to fool around. Jules (founder of B&B) looked on in despair but enjoyed the frivolity!
....and so we entered 2013, and the real blog spreddy became a live document. Enter Sarah......she became one to watch.....pert 2 to follow.......
Meanwhile Let's go to today's swim!
Lots of smiley happy Sunday swimmers filter down the catwalk.
The next photo, gives you the before(lady ducking down) , the during (two guys in the wave)and after (colourful swim suit on the right) a true wave experience.
A couple of legs went swimming today.
...coupled with a back, and one foot. Hopefully they found their rightful owners at Shelly.
Family shot as a wave is just about to break.
Oops! Wave broken.
Some just stand very tall through the sets.
Err, it's not that kind of wave we're interested in!
Shelly beach and normality resumes, lovely to see Alyson with us.
Plenty of paparazzi in the water today, although these two look confused by the different settings on their cameras .... Meanwhile their models wait patiently on.
I spoke too soon Shaun (also self named 'the dolphin whisperer') was trying to tempt LSA with seaweed, he heard that dolphins like it. That's dolphins Shaun, not mammals called Sarah.
The reason for the blog .........you have to get one of these with that fantastic photo on the front!
On sale NOW!!
The B&B Calendar is the perfect item for the ‘hard to buy for’ person in your life. You can pick one up at the swim from Ian (cash only), or online - Click here - with an option to have it posted or collected from Ian.
Summer Swims
It is that time again! 007, or Mr November 2015, has announced the proposed date for the first summer 10K swim challenge is Saturday 13 December 2014. Watch this space for updates.
Staying safe
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
Stats:
245 swimmers
23 newbies
21.6 degrees
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