The Manly Daily got it wrong today... Murray and his Babewatch group got on front page and page 9! But...it was mentioned that 'Babewatch is billed as an alternative to Manly's popular Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad'. How dare they! As founder Murray told me today, they are an integral part of the B&B and he credits this amazing swimming community for helping him and others with anxiety and depression!
Here are some of the Babewatch crew including 2 newbies. Murray and his friends will swim alongside slower swimmers so everyone is welcome whatever their speed or fitness.
Front page of the Manly Daily... beating turtle rescues, fevers of cow nose rays, Grey Nurse Shark appearances and even the legendary Wilf Deck!
They really have started a great group so if any of you know anyone who would benefit from joining Babewatch and coming down for a swim, get them to like the Babewatch Facebook or Instagram page and come on down!
Lisa and Roz try and sign up for Babewatch!
It was a dullish morning today but perfect weather for a swim. The water was warm and silky, the crowds were down and it was actually quite peaceful! I didn't expect to blog today so not many photos of the swim but I can rustle up a few!
Swimming around the corner a few of us bumped in to some swimmers looking in wonder at a huge Eagle Ray swimming below...
Even though the water is still a bit murky, he wasn't very deep so we could see him clearly.
If you swim over The Bower you can often see Gary the Groper even on days like today...
The often forgotten green, female Groper is also a lovely sight to see. Here's one with a trail of Mados...
No photos of Shelly today I'm afraid but I have got this one from yesterday when amazing Nat swam with us. Here she is with Louise and I.
In the last few months this inspiring lass has had a cancer diagnosis, lost a boob, undergone chemo, gone bald and had to share all this with her hubby and 5 (yes 5!) sons. She does all this with a huge smile and incredible positivity. She won't mind me telling you all this at all because in her kind and caring way she hopes to help others. Give Nat a big smile when you see her down the swim even if you don't know her. She really is one in a million.
Lovely Bob Hayter's funeral is next Wednesday if any B&Bers can make it. (More details at end of blog). He really was such a character. Here he is with Julie Isbill who loved him dearly.
We need a fun picture next, so what about a Sophie Coombes joy jump!
As i'm a bit short on photos today I'll pull out my favourite marine life photos/sightings from 2017, starting with The Dancing Cuttlefish
Fever of Cow-nose Rays. Incidentally Derek and co saw them yesterday, so they are still around!
The Giant Cuttlefish with a blue Groper in it's mouth! Still amazed by this!
I saw my first Grey Nurse Shark last year and was lucky enough to catch him in great light swimming slowly over Yellowtail one morning.
The Cormorant chasing these tiny fish was pretty special too!
That's all for today folks. Numbers were really low compared to recently maybe only 250 altogether with 3 newbies and 22.2 water temp (all guesses!)
Lainey loo
(With my son Charlie, who swam with us again today toowit toowoo!)
Summer 10km swim
The proposed date for the next 10km swim is Saturday 10 February at 7 am.
Swimmers are required to bring their own food/drink requirements which can be left at Manly.
The swim is dependent on suitable ocean/weather conditions.
Remember to be sensible as no badge is worth putting yourself and others in danger
Monthly Dinner – 13th February 2018 – Guest Speakers
The first B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 13th February at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. The guest speakers on the night will be Dr Ezequiel “Ziggy” Marzinelli and Dr Adriana Verges from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science(SIMS). SIMS, in partnership with Dorset Sutton and Jenny Lim Sutton and the Manly community, propose to undertake Operation Crayweed Manly, a project to restore lost underwater forests in Manly, in particular a type of seaweed called Crayweed, which provides critical habitat for crayfish (Eastern Rock Lobster) and abalone. Ideally the restoration would take place in Cabbage Tree Bay, as an iconic and beloved place under the watchful gaze of a community of custodians who care and love this exceptional marine environment. However this will depend on gaining community support and approval from NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) due to Cabbage Tree Bay’s status as an Aquatic Reserve. The project team are keen to talk with the B&B community, as people who love and use Cabbage Tree Bay, to hear your thoughts and seek your support for this project.
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 HERE.
- Note from John re Bob's funeral.
Bob Hayter’s Funeral is in the Magnolia Chapel, Macquarie Park Cemetery & Crematorium at 11am on Wednesday, 7th February.
It is with great sadness that I wish to advise members of the passing of Bob Hayter this morning (Saturday 27th). Bob was 79.
Bob swam at Northbridge baths today, returned to his favourite bench near lane 1 and passed away peacefully.
Bob has swum with the Northbridge Swimming Club for a long time as well as being a regular at the Manly Bold and Beautiful swim squad. He swam up to 5 times per week.
A couple of years ago he said that "I swim to stay alive." Bob loved the water and loved the baths.
I would like to thank all those involved this morning for being so calm and controlled during such a traumatic event.
This afternoon I became aware that Bob very recently signed an order that he not be resuscitated in the event of an adverse occurrence.
Club members have visited Bob's wife Judith and daughter Elizabeth today. They are grateful that Bob did not suffer and passed surrounded by so many swimming mates.
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