One of life's luxuries as an ocean swimmer is the thinking time we get while in the water. No black line to follow, no laps to count, no conversations to be had while you're actually swimming. Sometimes I concentrate on my technique (reach..catch..high elbow..pull..finish stroke), sometimes I'm too busy racing and trying to catch the swimmer in front of me, but most of the time I just let my mind wander.
As it's my first blog, I spent some of my thinking time today pondering the use of the word 'maiden' in relation to first time stuff. It strikes me that this may no longer be a politically correct expression, given the word's dual use. Wanting to avoid provoking a futile debate, I quickly moved onto yesterday's major news topic - the climate strike.
This week The Economist has devoted an entire issue to the topic of climate change and I think the cover is a ripper. The stripes represent the world's average temperature every year since the 1850s. I also learned that in the 20th century the population doubled twice (almost) and GDP more than quadrupled. Neither had even doubled in previous centuries.
So I was thinking about that, and I also couldn't get the song 'Johnny run away', by Tones and I, out of my head. Good song to swim to though!
Now onto today's conditions which were, in a word, challenging. A solid NE swell combined with low tide made for a tough journey around the point, so many swimmers opted for a Shelly beach entrance.
The next few shots are also from the point capturing swimmers using the rip. I love that our rip is called "the escalator". On days like these the escalator is definitely our friend for getting through the waves!
Visibility not too great today given the conditions, but I did come across a rather large blue groper near Shelly beach.
I have newfound respect for my fellow bloggers that manage to take quality action shots while treading water. I was trying here to capture the size of the waves as they were breaking near the point. But I think you'll need to use your imagination a little...
I'm sure I'll be sent to blogger purgatory for not taking a photo of the board or collecting any stats whatsoever! But the water felt warm-ish (17 point something, I reckon) and there were plenty of swimmers braving today's less than perfect conditions!
Enjoy the weekend :)
Tim
Management 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 22nd 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 16th 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 [email protected], or buy Online Only on 16 October 2019(https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/shop).
The Monthly Dinner – 8th 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’.
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