On Tuesday I attended the Sydney Swans Champions Dinner and it left interesting thoughts with me about how our words and deeds can be the thing that inspires another to greatness. Dane Rampe, who took out the Bob Skilton medal recounted how, in his early days at the club, it was Nick Smith who quietly on the side one day told him he had the ability to be far better than him and how those few words had inspired him to knuckle down and get stuck into training and focus on the job at hand. His final words to his young teammates was something along the lines of don't wait for things to happen, make things happen for yourself!! If you have time check out the Sydney Swans website and listen to his acceptance speech.
The main reason I love swimming with Bold and Beautiful is that we have plenty of our own heroes and people that inspire. I know that no matter the day of the week, rain, sun, small waves, big waves and everything in between, at some stage of the early morning people will be swimming.
So while yesterday I looked out my window and saw a sea of whitewash near the Queenscliff end of the beach, today it wasn't quite so bad and looking towards the Bower I couldn't see waves crashing up and over the path to Shelly Beach.
And I wasn't disappointed. Ian and Anne are always there bright and early on Thursdays to welcome nervous swimmers like me and offer comforting words that leave you feeling like its all going to be okay.
I love that there are always familiar faces to chat to and no one cares whether you swim half way, the full way, with a snorkel, flippers, breaststroke and everything in between. We are all just happy to be out enjoying the ocean and the perfect start to any day.
Annie hasn't talked Peter in to swimming yet, but he goes for a walk while Annie embraces the swim.
Penny and Peter are also regular swimmers. Penny at the weekend was one of our many swimmers who took part in the Sydney Running Festival with distances including a 3k bridge walk, 10k bridge run, 21.1k half marathon and 42.2k full marathon. Penny was happy with her time at the weekend - well done.
Greg and Sue are another inspirational couple. Sue is kind of a little nuts - but a good nuts - she is a regular doubler, tripler - sometimes on the same morning!!! Makes me tired just thinking about it - but still a legend of our group.
As I was getting ready to get in this morning drinking and his 6.30 mob were just getting back and reassured me that it was fabulous this morning - I reckon he'd say that even if conditions were not great, such is his excitement for the swim and being in the water in the morning.
More 6.30 speeedsters getting back!!!
The A-team seldom miss a day!!!
Lainey is always so full of life and joyous in the mornings. She often runs then does booty camp before swimming - another inspiration!!!
We have so many inspiring and kind people in our group - so don't make excuses about the weather, just get our and join us for a swim - you're going to get wet anyway!!
Have a wonderful day.
Management notices:
Water temp: 17.2
Newbies/suckers: nil
Total swimmers/crazies: 57
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).
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