Pacific Jules

Thursday 30 November - Our own group of royalty

So this week the hype has been around the royal engagement and the upcoming spring wedding.  But when you think about it, Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad really has a lot of similarities to our what is happening on the other side of the globe.

Our queen is of course Julie Isbill who set up Bold and Beautiful as a free social group who like to swim every morning of the year, even in winter.  Her legacy includes the English Channel and the Triple Crown.  Although Julie is now based in Western Australia, she returns regularly to catch up with her adoring subjects.

We have the rest of the royal family - aka management. 

Ian, of course, is like Charles, turns up to all the functions, kisses all the girls etc while Sean is a bit like the Earl of Wessex - deep down he wants to be king, but the reality is that even he knows its never going to happen.

Mind you Ian could be in the running for the court jester and Pauline has her sights on the title of queen (sorry the image is on the side).

We have the regular court jester who loves to find a way into any photo.

And the royal guardsmen - the A team - they make sure everyone sticks to the rules and keeps in line - they maintain the royal passage around the rocks and into Manly no matter the conditions.

Megan may have a new Sparkle on her finger but Bold and Beautiful have their own, the beautiful Michelle - she's been practicing that royal wave (sorry about the image being on its side).

Bold and Beautiful have their own "Suits" - they come in the form of a budgie smuggler and pink cap.

For the girls its a pink cap and wetsuit or brightly coloured swimmers - the brighter and more visible the better in our royal clic.

Every morning we have our royal procession.

We even have our own knights and honours system for winter swims, summer swims and collective distances.

John Bond holds our highest honour.  Every morning takes the temperature for us and in summer runs the 6km and 10km swims. He is also number 1 on the Pacific Challenge having logged over 4000km with Bold and Beautiful - in B&B terms that makes him Sir John.

Fiona (right) is 2nd and our top lady swimmer with 3600km (photos stolen from earlier blogs), so surely she deserves the honour of Dame Fi.

Our show has plenty of stars as well.  There's Andrew (right) who runs the 6.30 Drinkey Express

.

This morning we had four new stars - first time swimmers (sorry I can't remember your names - one came along with his mate while the second photographed was swimming with B&B for the first time with her dad - sorry about the water blob on the lens).

Roger (second from left) is another star - doing many of the groovy graphics for our swims and parties.

Anyway have a "royally" good day, whatever that means.

Till next time

D from the Z's.

 

Management notices

This cossie was found yesterday - it doesn't fit Sean or Ian but believe me they tried to make it fit.  If you are its rightful owner contact management.

Today's stats:
Temperature:      20.1 degrees
Newbies:              4
Total swimmers:   214

Summer swims:

As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, management thought that it would be a good time to clarify what it takes to earn a badge. Three long distance swims are on offer:
· The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning generally starting with the 7 am swim. The first 6 km swim will be on Saturday 2nd December.
· There is a 10 km swim once a month over summer also generally starting with the 7 am swim. Dates for these will be announced in the blog. The first will be on December 16th.
· If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30 or 7 am.
You will earn a badge if you complete these swims and log them in iLog. The system will only record authorised 6K or 10K swims that are logged on the appropriate days. Badges will be presented at the Summer Badge Ceremony in March. If you are unsure of the routes and protocols for these swims, please ask at the desk before you swim. When swimming these longer distances, we request that, for safety reasons, you stay with the group. We also request that you do not swim in dangerous conditions. The quest for a little cloth badge is not worth putting your life at risk.
Enjoy your swimming.

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Donations wanted
As usual at the Xmas Party, we will be raising money for the Royal Far West as well as for B&B. This year RFW have some amazing prizes which will be auctioned on the night, including fantastic accommodation packages. We would also be grateful to have additional prizes to be auctioned, so if you have something special that you are happy to donate for the auction, please contact Ian ([email protected]).

 

 

 

Thursday 30 November - Our own group of royalty

So this week the hype has been around the royal engagement and the upcoming spring wedding.  But when you think about it, Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad really has a lot of similarities to our what is happening on the other side of the globe.

Our queen is of course Julie Isbill who set up Bold and Beautiful as a free social group who like to swim every morning of the year, even in winter.  Her legacy includes the English Channel and the Triple Crown.  Although Julie is now based in Western Australia, she returns regularly to catch up with her adoring subjects.

We have the rest of the royal family - aka management. 

Ian, of course, is like Charles, turns up to all the functions, kisses all the girls etc while Sean is a bit like the Earl of Wessex - deep down he wants to be king, but the reality is that even he knows its never going to happen.

Mind you Ian could be in the running for the court jester and Pauline has her sights on the title of queen (sorry the image is on the side).

We have the regular court jester who loves to find a way into any photo.

And the royal guardsmen - the A team - they make sure everyone sticks to the rules and keeps in line - they maintain the royal passage around the rocks and into Manly no matter the conditions.

Megan may have a new Sparkle on her finger but Bold and Beautiful have their own, the beautiful Michelle - she's been practicing that royal wave (sorry about the image being on its side).

Bold and Beautiful have their own "Suits" - they come in the form of a budgie smuggler and pink cap.

For the girls its a pink cap and wetsuit or brightly coloured swimmers - the brighter and more visible the better in our royal clic.

Every morning we have our royal procession.

We even have our own knights and honours system for winter swims, summer swims and collective distances.

John Bond holds our highest honour.  Every morning takes the temperature for us and in summer runs the 6km and 10km swims. He is also number 1 on the Pacific Challenge having logged over 4000km with Bold and Beautiful - in B&B terms that makes him Sir John.

Fiona (right) is 2nd and our top lady swimmer with 3600km (photos stolen from earlier blogs), so surely she deserves the honour of Dame Fi.

Our show has plenty of stars as well.  There's Andrew (right) who runs the 6.30 Drinkey Express

.

This morning we had four new stars - first time swimmers (sorry I can't remember your names - one came along with his mate while the second photographed was swimming with B&B for the first time with her dad - sorry about the water blob on the lens).

Roger (second from left) is another star - doing many of the groovy graphics for our swims and parties.

Anyway have a "royally" good day, whatever that means.

Till next time

D from the Z's.

 

Management notices

This cossie was found yesterday - it doesn't fit Sean or Ian but believe me they tried to make it fit.  If you are its rightful owner contact management.

Today's stats:
Temperature:      20.1 degrees
Newbies:              4
Total swimmers:   214

Summer swims:

As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, management thought that it would be a good time to clarify what it takes to earn a badge. Three long distance swims are on offer:
· The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning generally starting with the 7 am swim. The first 6 km swim will be on Saturday 2nd December.
· There is a 10 km swim once a month over summer also generally starting with the 7 am swim. Dates for these will be announced in the blog. The first will be on December 16th.
· If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30 or 7 am.
You will earn a badge if you complete these swims and log them in iLog. The system will only record authorised 6K or 10K swims that are logged on the appropriate days. Badges will be presented at the Summer Badge Ceremony in March. If you are unsure of the routes and protocols for these swims, please ask at the desk before you swim. When swimming these longer distances, we request that, for safety reasons, you stay with the group. We also request that you do not swim in dangerous conditions. The quest for a little cloth badge is not worth putting your life at risk.
Enjoy your swimming.

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Donations wanted
As usual at the Xmas Party, we will be raising money for the Royal Far West as well as for B&B. This year RFW have some amazing prizes which will be auctioned on the night, including fantastic accommodation packages. We would also be grateful to have additional prizes to be auctioned, so if you have something special that you are happy to donate for the auction, please contact Ian ([email protected]).

 

 

 

Wednesday 29/11/17: Thálatta! Thálatta! (‘The Sea! The Sea!’)

Perhaps you were excited to catch sight of the ocean first thing this morning?  I admit that after more than a couple of days without some saltwater over my gills I become quite irritable, so it is always with great excitement that I approach the top of the hill at Fairlight where I know I will get my first peek at the ocean on a ‘B&B day’.

(Above) A bit of fog around this morning, but it soon cleared.

If a day or two away from the ocean seems like an eternity to you too, imagine the longing that must have consumed the soldiers of the Greek mercenary army, known as the ‘Ten Thousand’, who became trapped deep in Persian territory after their failed campaign in the service of Cyrus the Younger.  The Greeks had fought successfully at Cunaxa in 401 BC, but when Cyrus was killed they found themselves stranded in Persia, their senior officers killed or captured, and the prospect of a march across barren deserts and snow-covered mountains back towards Greek settlements on the shores of the Black Sea before them.  The Greek soldier and writer Xenophon describes the moment when, finally, after more than two years of warring and marching, the first soldiers crested the top of Mt. Theches and caught a glimpse of Euxeinos Pontos (the Black Sea) beyond:

 

‘But as the shout kept getting louder and nearer, as the sucessive ranks that came up all began to run at full speed toward the ranks ahead that were one after another joining in the shout, and as the shout kept growing far louder as the number of men grew steadily greater, it became quite clear to Xenophon that here was something of unusual importance; so he mounted a horse, took with him Lycius and the cavalry, and pushed ahead to lend aid; and in a moment they heard the soldiers shouting, ‘The Sea! The Sea!’ and passing the word along.  Then all the troops of the rearguard likewise broke into a run, and the pack animals began racing ahead and the horses.’ 

    (Xen. Anab. 4.7.23-24) [trans. Brownson]

 

(Above): Some excited swimmers, raring to go.

I hope none the couple of hundred or so of us who swam this morning had such an arduous journey, but no doubt the excitement and relief at seeing the ocean after a period of absence (however long or short) will be familiar to you.

(Above): Jennifer and Georgina, of 'WOW' fame.

(Above): The not-quite-Ten-Thousand B&Bers make their way down to the big blue.

(Above): 'Double Trouble': some of our intrepid doublers this morning.

(Above): Inge, Ebony, and Ian post-swim. Ebony did her second swim with us this morning - she makes the trip all the way from Camden (a 2-hour drive)!

(Above): The Women of the Wall - always happy to pose for a pre- or post-swim photo.  Several people commented that Buddy (front row, right-hand side, black coat) was looking extra handsome this morning...

(Above): Have you lost this wetsuit? It was found in the ladies' change room this morning.  If it belongs to you, please contact management.

Recommended reading (bottom of the blog): As an unashamed Classics nerd, I live in hope that one day someone will ask me, ‘Alex, I would absolutely love to immerse myself in the world of ancient Greek and Roman literature - where should I start?’  Alas, it hasn’t happened yet, so I’m taking matters into my own hands and adding a ‘recommended reading’ section to the bottom of my monthly blog post.

N.B. You can find good translations of Classical texts by most of the major publishers (the Oxford World’s Classics editions are generally pretty good, as are most Penguin editions), or online through websites like the Perseus Digital Library, or theoi.com

This month: We started with Xenophon, so we might as well finish with him too. He was a Greek soldier and writer who accompanied the Ten Thousand on their disastrous Persian campaign.  The story is told in his most famous work, the Anabasis. It is essentially a work of military history, but don't let that dissuade you! It's a cracking tale of adventure and human endurance, and well worth a read; you'll laugh, you'll cry, and you may just develop a liking for Classical literature...

Valete omnes ('toodles all'),

Alexandra

__________________________________________________ 

SUMMER SWIMS with Bondy

First Six km Summer Swim

Next Saturday - 2nd Dec @ 7am.

Then most 6 kms will be Saturdays Dec to Feb.
Proposed 10km swim on Sat 16th Dec at 7am.
Note: Swimmers for 10km are required to bring their own food drink requirements to be left at Manly.
ALL swims are dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.

--------

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HEREnow! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Donations wanted
As usual at the Xmas Party, we will be raising money for the Royal Far West as well as for B&B. This year RFW have some amazing prizes which will be auctioned on the night, including fantastic accommodation packages. We would also be grateful to have additional prizes to be auctioned, so if you have something special that you are happy to donate for the auction, please contact Ian ([email protected]).

 

28/11/17 It took my breath away!

The temperature is playing tricks on us again, we were back to 17.9 degrees but it felt like 16 going around the point.

We needed to "double cap it" again today. (I did this and still got an "ice-cream headache")

The big rip was there again today to keep us on your toes on the way from the point to the surf club.

 

Stunning morning, a little bit misty...

Our Yogi's were enjoying the early morning rays of sunshine.

Pretty flat today, and low tide.

Freddy was on hand to keep an eye on all of us.

Beautiful in the water at Shelly.

Jeff and Michael looking happy and refreshed after their swim.

Stats:

219 swimmers
6  newbies
17.9 degrees

Stunning morning, enjoy your day.

Jenny :)

 

SUMMER SWIMS with Bondy

First Six km Summer Swim

Next Saturday - 2nd Dec @ 7am.

Then most 6 kms will be Saturdays Dec to Feb.
Proposed 10km swim on Sat 16th Dec at 7am.
Note: Swimmers for 10km are required to bring their own food drink requirements to be left at Manly.
ALL swims are dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.

--------

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HEREnow! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Donations wanted
As usual at the Xmas Party, we will be raising money for the Royal Far West as well as for B&B. This year RFW have some amazing prizes which will be auctioned on the night, including fantastic accommodation packages. We would also be grateful to have additional prizes to be auctioned, so if you have something special that you are happy to donate for the auction, please contact Ian ([email protected]).

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMER SWIMS with Bondy

First Six km Summer Swim

Next Saturday - 2nd Dec @ 7am.

Then most 6 kms will be Saturdays Dec to Feb.
Proposed 10km swim on Sat 16th Dec at 7am.
Note: Swimmers for 10km are required to bring their own food drink requirements to be left at Manly.
ALL swims are dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.

--------

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HEREnow! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Donations wanted
As usual at the Xmas Party, we will be raising money for the Royal Far West as well as for B&B. This year RFW have some amazing prizes which will be auctioned on the night, including fantastic accommodation packages. We would also be grateful to have additional prizes to be auctioned, so if you have something special that you are happy to donate for the auction, please contact Ian ([email protected]).

 

 

 

Monday 27th November 2017 - The Boy with the Dragon Tattoo

The dragon tattoo. 

 

 

Storchy said, "Did you see this pre-dawn shot on your way to the beach?"

 

Congratulations to Our Fifi for winning the Wedding Cake Island Swim yesterday!!!

 

Fifi's winner's towel.

 

Sarah, excited to still be swimming with her broken toe.

 

Louise and her Newbie nephew Ben - "The Boy with the Dragon Tattoo".

 

 

Our Julia, my favourite journalist.

 

 Red.

 

Royal family.

 

Just woke up.

 

Boys.

 

Jim squared.

 

More Boys.

 

Richard said, "don't leave us on the cutting floor".

 

Stats: Swimmers - 100+, Newbies - at least one tattoo. 

Temp: still coolish with a small warm patch 200m from Shelly.

 

Have a great week ahead

Simon

 

 

With Max, Tara & Leila - Tara's first swim.

Bring on the hazy days of summer

Good morning everyone, and Happy Sunday. It's really starting to feel like summer - the hazy humid air, the surf lifesaving season in full swing, nippers, blue sky and how nice is it to get out of the water and not be cold!

The early swimmers got a good start and missed the crowds.

  

Water temps on the upward trajectory, thanks JB and Huey.

We had a few (quite a few if you read the stats) newbies, welcome all, hope you enjoyed your first Bold and Beautiful swim. I can still remember the excitement of mine. This in one of the newbies, Ben, getting his photos taken and partaking in the induction program.

A Manly local enjoying some rays and wishing the tourists would just bugger off.

Some of the beautiful sights of Manly

  

The 7s head out and the earlies come back in
 

Heading out through the seaweed
 

Product placement

Some watery socialising while waiting for the let's go

At Shelley. Some more catching up, hanging out and chilling (although the water is not too cold and the air is balmy)

 

 
 
  

Doublers about to head back to Shelley

 

Shelley looks different without all of us. The day crowd is starting to appear. Much more fun than the mall.

Underwater visibility in the shallows of Shelley is pretty good.

In deeper water not so much, but the wildlings are still lurking. From the surface this wobbegong could have been anything

Heading back in to Manly

And now for the news.

SUMMER SWIMS with Bondy

First Six km Summer Swim

Next Saturday - 2nd Dec @ 7am.

Then most 6 kms will be Saturdays Dec to Feb.
Proposed 10km swim on Sat 16th Dec at 7am.
Note: Swimmers for 10km are required to bring their own food drink requirements to be left at Manly.
ALL swims are dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.

--------

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HEREnow! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Stats:

390 swimmers
20 (wait, what??) newbies
18.5 degrees

Have a happy day everyone

 

 

Sat 25th: Groundhog Day

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FIVE a.m. COFFEES - Available Here

When too much coffee is never enough; you too can join Guy Dunstan in the black of night.  Limit: Five piccolos per day

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DEVON DREAMING

"Waiting for Midge" segment

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Help country kids learn how to surf!

A 'Working with Children' check is required. 

 

Each Wednesday in November and Thursdays in December we are looking for volunteers to help Royal Far West’s country kids learn how to surf.  These children are from all over the state, for many of them it is their first time to Sydney and for most of them it will be the first time they have surfed! The age range is 9 years to 17 years. . The times are 4pm – 6pm once a week. If you can volunteer some afternoons in that time (it doesn’t have to be every week) please contact Anna Bowden on 89668597 or email [email protected]. --------------

FASHIONS and SALES

310 swimmers

16 newbies

18.3 degrees

 

Thanks to everyone for supporting Pauline's Gogglebox Sale, which raised $260 for Royal Far West

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BESPOKE MERCHANDISE

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Below: Ian Forster always buys the first coffee.

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DISTANCE SWIMMING

This lot left their cars at south Curl Curl and arrive by Cole bus.  Swimming to Mark Mallinson's mum's - for birthday champagne, eggs n bacon. (3.4 kms - which apparently is not far enough for Midwest Cheryl, who will promptly turn around and swim off south ... back towards Freshie!)

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NURTURE and SUPPORT

Are you swimming too hard?  Waking up with your togs on?

Do Triples seem too easy?  You may need to reach out 

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FREE READS - West of the Wall

West of the wall,  I'll wait for you
West of the wall,  our dreams can all come true
Though we're apart ... a little while
My heart will wait ... until we both can smile

- Toni Fisher 1962

(I know.  I know I know I know. WOW lays 450mm due south of wall)

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YOUR LOCAL SWIM RACE

Manly Beach 2018

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SUMMER SWIMS with Bondy

First Six km Summer Swim

Next Saturday - 2nd Dec @ 7am.

Then most 6 kms will be Saturdays Dec to Feb.
Proposed 10km swim on Sat 16th Dec at 7am.
Note: Swimmers for 10km are required to bring their own food drink requirements to be left at Manly.
ALL swims are dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.

--------

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Stats:

I had two flutes of champagne and two egg 'n' bacon rolls

- Roger (Nat's Blog)

Friday 24 November 2017 Amazing stuff

When I was in primary school and we had athletics carnivals, I was impressed by the children who ran fast and won races. However, I could run but not as quickly. The ones that amazed me were those who could high jump. There is no way in the world I could do that. Some people  do things that are just amazing and I am glad to witness their capability. There are swimmers in this BB group who are just amazing and do feats of swimming that I can only admire. One such feat is the crossing of the English Channel by Brendan Maher of BB. at the time of the swim, he kindly shared the crossing via social media which many of us followed. I share with you a link of the swim to enjoy and admire: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy15Se4nFNA&t=134s 

It says that the soundtrack is Je Suis a Rock Star but my internal spottify says not. And just imagine, the year before he completed a swim from Palm Beach to Shelly Beach.  Amazing enough but only a warm up - as it were - for the Channel.

Here are some other swimmers that I admire - one that lives closeby and came late today just like me (although I was held up by massive traffic on the Warringah Freeway)

early swimmers already showering!

 

Colin is combining dressing for work with stretching

Mum and dad photo bombing my shot of future swimmer Denali (beautiful Alaskan name)

 Alan - armspan too  wide for the shot

Gillian and Jonathan - also affected by the traffic but although we arrived late, the sea was still there for 'open water' swimming albeit not perhaps ocean swimming

narrowing the arm span

Robyn finishing a triple and Sam finishing 4th lap







 

 

What I have been reading

you will be thrilled to know I liked the David Sedaris book. Now reading The Shadow District by Indridason which is set in Rejkavik and so far is very enjoyable. I was put onto Indridason by Ali, a swimmer/reader. There are so many keen swimmers who read. I would be pleased to get more recommendations because they are so good 

Management Notices

Swimmers

Newbies

B&B’s "Gogglebox" sale next Sat after the swim. Includes literally dozens of goggles($2 & $5) that have been handed in to B&B over the past 6 months and a dozen ladies cozzies($15) and miscellaneous swimming attire.

All proceeds to Royal Far West, supporting disadvantaged children. 

 

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12^th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2^nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18’s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Thursday 23rd November: Why this is the Einstein of Bay Swimming Groups

Malcolm Forbes says that diversity is 'the art of thinking independently together' and the B&B is the ocean swimming arm of his body of opinion. Although there are diverse opinions and some debate at the benches about whether we are ocean swimming because technically we are in a Bay adjacent to the Tasman Sea. We'd need to swim another 2486 kilometers from Manly around East Cape New Zealand to be ocean swimming in the Pacific Ocean. 

And  after several days of adverse and almost withering  feedback about the cold water John Bond finally got the mail and warmed up the  temperature to a balmy 18.7, although it must be said  it felt more like 17.93. He also dialed down the rip setting so we could get back to shore without going via the Queenscliff Flags. So the warm, ripless welcoming conditions beckoned the whole gamut of the diverse crowd of Bay swimmers. Of course we know there's wisdom in a well formed crowd and the more diverse the crowd the wiser it is. So if that's the case our diversity must make us the Einstein of Bay swim groups.

We welcomed Travis from Santa Cruz California:

And Steven celebrated his 50th birthday with a swim although he fooled us by wearing a 30 years shirt...

And of course the swim welcomed the usual diverse gang...

 

Thanks for being a great weird mob to swim with.

Pete Anthony

 

Today's Stats:

Water Temperature 18.7 (felt more like 17.93)

Swimmers 132

Newbies 7

Summer Swims

The first 6km summer swim will be on Saturday 2nd Dec at 7am. Then most Saturdays Dec to Feb.
Proposed 10km swim on Sat 16th Dec at 7am.
Note: Swimmers for 10km are required to bring their own food drink requirements to be left at Manly.
ALL swims are dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party
Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Help  country kids learn how to surf!

Each Wednesday in November and Thursdays in December we are looking for volunteers to help Royal Far West’s country kids learn how to surf.  These children are from all over the state, for many of them it is their first time to Sydney and for most of them it will be the first time they have surfed! The age range is 9 years to 17 years. . The times are 4pm – 6pm once a week. If you can volunteer some afternoons in that time (it doesn’t have to be every week) please contact Anna Bowden on 89668597 or email [email protected]. A working with children check is required

 

 

 

22/11/2017 - Swim Club/Book Club/Social Club/Music Club/Cupid Club/Whatever!

The first ever B&B Book Swap started today, on the wall of course as it was a Women of the Wall initiative! What a great group we are. At the B&B you can swim, drink coffee, choose a book, play with a goat etc or even meet the man/woman of your dreams!

I'm afraid Dorset is already taken, but what a lovely man he is. Here he is post swim showing his dazzling smile, (which you'd expect after working for 50 years for a toothpaste company ;-)

You can even brush up on your handstanding skills at the B&B. Anna is always happy to give tips!

and of course there's even a free Booty Camp pre-swim anyone can join in Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Here are the 6.30am swimmers heading out under sultry skies...

Here are some of the Wows with their books. We have to exercise our brains too of course!

Steve and Matt

Simon and John (looking a wee bit pastier...)

At 7am it's time for the main group to get in the ocean. We can all see where the freezing water hits Sam the first ;-) 

I love getting photos of you all getting hit by waves! (I usually lose a flipper in the process though.) Talking of which if anyone finds a mask Roz lost Martin's today and is very upset about it :-(

Now we're at Shelly and it's smiles all round :-)

This photo makes me laugh, Sue is little herself but dwarfs Janet as she jumps out of the water!

Michael and his new German friend Ralph, (sorry Rainer).

Fiona and Gayle, swimmers are grinners

The lovely Carole

It's 'Snap Sydney' day today so one of these photos could possibly appear in The Manly Daily on Friday!

It was 18.5 degrees in today, 3 newbies and around 179 of us!

Summer Swims
The first 6km summer swim will be on Saturday 2nd Dec at 7am. Then most Saturdays Dec to Feb.
Proposed 10km swim on Sat 16th Dec at 7am.
Note: Swimmers for 10km are required to bring their own food drink requirements to be left at Manly.
ALL swims are dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party
Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Help  country kids learn how to surf!

Each Wednesday in November and Thursdays in December we are looking for volunteers to help Royal Far West’s country kids learn how to surf.  These children are from all over the state, for many of them it is their first time to Sydney and for most of them it will be the first time they have surfed! The age range is 9 years to 17 years. . The times are 4pm – 6pm once a week. If you can volunteer some afternoons in that time (it doesn’t have to be every week) please contact Anna Bowden on 89668597 or email [email protected]. A working with children check is required

Have a great day

Lainey

(With Roz) We're planning a Christmas Art Show/ Party on Sunday 10th December open to all with a special appearance by the B&B ukelele band The Sandy Bottoms!
 

Summer Swims
The first 6km summer swim will be on Saturday 2nd Dec at 7am. Then most Saturdays Dec to Feb.
Proposed 10km swim on Sat 16th Dec at 7am.
Note: Swimmers for 10km are required to bring their own food drink requirements to be left at Manly.
ALL swims are dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party
Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Help  country kids learn how to surf!

Each Wednesday in November and Thursdays in December we are looking for volunteers to help Royal Far West’s country kids learn how to surf.  These children are from all over the state, for many of them it is their first time to Sydney and for most of them it will be the first time they have surfed! The age range is 9 years to 17 years. . The times are 4pm – 6pm once a week. If you can volunteer some afternoons in that time (it doesn’t have to be every week) please contact Anna Bowden on 89668597 or email [email protected]. A working with children check is required