Pacific Jules

31/12/19

Hugo keeping an eye out to sea

 

Drinks briefing the 6.30 crew on conditions. Messy, been a few rescues recently, if you're not confident walk to Shelly etc.

 

John and Sam who both made it out of the water safely!

 

Pink v white

 

 

 

 

Rogue waves well past the point

 

 

 

 

A bit calmer the closer to Shelly we got

 

 

 

Temp: 20

Swimmers: ?

Newbies ?

 

Cole Classic

Manly Life Saving Club -COLE CLASSIC Christmas Offer for Bold & Beautiful swimmers.
Missed the COLE CLASSIC early bird discount?
The following promotion code BBCOLE will save you 20% until the 31st December.
sunruncoleclassic.com.au
**Exclusively for B & B swimmers, your family/friends**
John Thomson MLSC Events [email protected]

Monday 30th December 2019 - BBCOLE, Dunnies, NYE, Harbour Swim.

Special Offer for B&B 

Manly Life Saving Club - COLE CLASSIC Christmas Offer for Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

Missed the COLE CLASSIC early bird discount?

The following promotion code BBCOLE will save you 20% until the 3 January.

sunruncoleclassic.com.au

**Exclusively for B & B swimmers, your family/friends**

John Thomson MLSC Events [email protected]

—//////———//////////—————////////

I arrived early to an empty club and messy surf.

So went to the calmer waters of the harbour.

 

Ali & Brett we’re doing parallel beach laps.

Sue & Greg also opted for calmer waters.

Manly NYE fireworks will be ok, the dunnies arrived this morning.

 

I swam with these guys - Return Manly Cove to Quarantine via Little Manly, Collins Flat & Store beaches - 5 beaches 6kms in 2 hrs.



Meanwhile Mary & Rainer reported another busy swim.

Enrol with fans.


Double King Peter.

A team bench.


Nat & Luke both swam faster than Sterling.

Manly LSC spokesman Hasko said “take the B&B Cole Classic Deal”.


I enjoyed hot choc at Hakans with Richard, Danny, Mel & Trish.

Have a great NYE 

regards until  2020

Simon

 

 

Rough water Sunday

Sunday dawned cloudy and smoky, with a choppy NorEast swell. It's Sydney summer time and this is what we get. Just 22 new swimmers today bringing our total to about 307  (seemed like 311) in 20.0 degree water.

I only just caught the Drinks Express heading out at 6:30

307 is still lots of people, even though there's no one in this photo

Rescuing a runaway ski

Carb loading before a challenging swim

A very candid shot of 2 swimmers pointing at something

Some of today's swimmers

Inga has been on the welcoming committee in the absence of senior management

Carolyn and blogger extraordinaire Elizabeth

If anything the conditions were bumpier than yesterday, and the Shelley announcement was made.

The crowd listened intently

Once again Andrew of the Drinks Express provided the Shower Scene and today I got his name right (Sorry bout yesterday!)

Experienced swimmers  who were up for the challenge started from the beach

There is no shame in going to Shelley

The view is lovely



And if you're lucky you get to see one of these

Half Way

Ran into these lovely ladies. One of these is Jo who hit the 2,000km milestone today. Amazing! Jo swims every day and then gets the ferry to work. And sometimes the delightful Colby stays with her. 

Some Shelley shots

Dave

Spotted these despite the suboptimal visibility

Fellow blogger Edwina kindly provided photos of Jo's traditional milestone celebration aka the tunnel

Another celebration was Gemma's 5th anniversary of swimming with the B&B. 5 years well spent, don't you think?

And now... a word from Management

Don't Miss the Big Swim!

The Big Swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach is on Australia Day next year (Jan 26). All proceeds from the swim will go to Project Change International, which is an Australian charity and social enterprise that empowers and enables women and girls in Cambodia to exit the poverty cycle independently.

Their main fundraiser is via the 2.5 km Palm Beach to WhaleBeach swim, and the organisers were hoping that lots of B&B swimmers would be participate in support of their charity. If you are interested in participating or donating, please go to https://project-change-big-swim-2020.raisely.com/

 

We need a blogger for January 3 and 10. Here's your chance to try out for the exclusive Creative arm of the B&B. Talk to Management before the swim.

 

What am I listening to? Let's try the amazing Marlon Williams again

Have a  great week!

How good is summer in Sydney?

Summer in Sydney can be lovely, and this morning rated pretty well (but spare a thought for Aussies in the bush while we enjoy the onshore summer breezes).

The NE summer swells will be with us for the next few days and that means choppy conditions and not so great visibility. Here is some of the 6:30 cohort heading out, together with some surf club members going for the early board paddle.

The welcoming committee. We had 43 newbies join us today. Hope you enjoyed yourselves.

Not many people. Not yet. Leonora pondering life, the universe and everything

A few newbies with Anne who is assuming upper management newbie-welcoming duties, and guess who, proving Germaine Greer right - she has said you're only young once but you can be immature forever. She's a mental giant (as is the owner of the fingers) so it must be true

Some more newbies, mixed in with regulars

Note the book title

This is Dave who racked up 1,000 km on Christmas Day and kept quiet about it. Congrats 

There was an announcement today. The ocean conditions were deemed quite challenging, and we were informed about the option of swimming from Shelley and all that that entails. 

A piercing whistle.

got everyone's attention

This is Pete of the Drinks express, providing today's Shower Scene

Some swam from the beach (always be conscious of your skill levels and choose your swim accordingly)

And others took the walk to Shelley including Jo and Sheila looking very lovely even in the early morning

Marije's arm. She copped a rather nasty bluebottle sting the other day. It's a relief to see it's improving.

On the path to Shelley

Ted and co chose to go in at half way

This mob was training in the Bower pool

Heading in to Shelley

Having a little break and photo shoot

The visibility under the surface was not great, but I saw this lot.

An old spouse - let's be politically correct here

Female groper - you never know what's really going on below

A strange looking jellyfish

Other stats - about 348 swimmers plus the 43 newbies. Water temp was 20.7 degrees

Management Notice

Don't Miss the Big Swim!

The Big Swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach is on Australia Day next year (Jan 26). All proceeds from the swim will go to Project Change International, which is an Australian charity and social enterprise that empowers and enables women and girls in Cambodia to exit the poverty cycle independently.

Their main fundraiser is via the 2.5 km Palm Beach to WhaleBeach swim, and the organisers were hoping that lots of B&B swimmers would be participate in support of their charity. If you are interested in participating or donating, please go to https://project-change-big-swim-2020.raisely.com/

 

We need a blogger for January 3 and 10. Here's your chance to try out for the exclusive Creative arm of the B&B. Talk to Management before the swim.

 

What am I listening to? A couple of weeks ago I went to Paul Kelly's Making Gravy Christmas concert in the Domain. One of the support acts was Marlon Williams. I hadn't heard of him but I'm now a fan.

 

 

 

Happy 11th birthday Bold and Beautiful

WOW what a day. Rolling out to the beach for a swim to recall that it is Friday 27th which means it is the 11th birthday of Bold and Beautiful swimmers. For some it is a continuation of a regular swim and for others it was their first swim. For William and Louise it was their birthday too!!!

Danny in a different location to usual

Apparently John Kelly met up with Julie in Perth recently but without a selfie we cannot know if it really happened. Discuss. Hi Julie 

* there is a separate photo of one of these swimmers below. Guess which one

How appealing is the sight of a man sweeping

More newbies

welcome Jason 

A champion swimmer who completed the Waikiki Roughwater this year. Respect

The fabulous early swimmers set off. We will quiz them about the rumours of blue bottles

So glad for the sand sweeping that happens after a busy day at the beach. It would be better if people did not leave garbage

Brendon providing a report from his swim to Queenscliff - the bluebottles are coming. He then went to finish his swim in the harbour. Here he is advising Marije who encountered bluebottles yesterday and got stung 

Anne was looking for evidence - Brendon's shoulder above for today and Marije's elbow for yesterday (are they targeting joints?)

The bold and beautiful swimmers move along for a 7 am start








 

Further consultation on blue bottles - to swim or not to swim

LOUISE, BIRTHDAY GRRL

I love the Woodstock T shirt. The two swimmers look great too

Visitor and swimmer checking out the conditions

and more are coming

Early swimmers coming back and 7 am swimmers going in. A sea of pink caps. Divine

The paddlers trained in the harbour because of the blue bottles so....

shark girl

what a sight! The pink caps enhance the seascape. If I see pink caps I always feel a bit calmer

Then off to Shelly Beach to sing Happy birthday to BB!!!!

Tony and Don at the furthest end of the beach 

 

If you look carefully at the swimmers you will work out why the group is called bold and beautiful and if you consider the conditions ie blue bottles today, you will work out why bold is in the name

The fabulous A team - great swimmers and good singers too. 

Margo's first swim

Swimmers at the heart of the BB:















And here John is a selfie with Inez. Shows we were there



Adrian Paul and Gunnar


Two swimmers one baby bump

Something about the fin so let's call this photo Le Fin of the blog

Happy birthday Louis, William and Bold and Beautiful

Numbers: 675

 

Temp: 22 degrees

 

 

What I have been reading: the Lady in Waiting book. A gift. Not too bad despite being about a topic I would not normally read. Also listening to podcast The Lighthouse about missing teenager Theo Haez. The police do not come out of it well, in part but the search goes on

 

 

 

Thursday 26 December – Boxing Day wrapping makes the present

Like you I’ve spent the last few days wrapping presents, unwrapping  presents, and watching presents unwrapped. And now I’ve got a different perspective on boxes and Boxing Day. I think of boxes we put presents in, the extra care we take to wrap a present for someone we care about, because we want to surprise them, with a little extra care. A wrapped present just works better for the giver and the receiver. I love watching a child unwrap a present they are obviously delighted with. It’s a little extra care people like Ian & John take to run the swim, with awesome ‘middle management’ like Anne & Shaun and countless others. The extra care looking after newbies, checking conditions, and warmly greeting us all. It’s how the B&B care.And attracts people that makes us the premier ocean swim group in the world. A little extra care that makes the present of our swim just more of a treasure. Here are some  of the lucky ones who enjoyed an ocean present this morning.

 

May your life unwrap like a treasured present...

Pete Anthony 

Stats 

Swimmers 383 (felt like 9675.89)

Newbies 31 (felt like 32)

Water temperature 21.5 (felt like 22.463786)

The Big Swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach is on Australia Day next year (Jan 26). All proceeds from the swim will go to Project Change International, which is an Australian charity and social enterprise that empowers and enables women and girls in Cambodia to exit the poverty cycle independently.

Their main fundraiser is via the 2.5 km Palm Beach to WhaleBeach swim, and the organisers were hoping that lots of B&B swimmers would be participate in support of their charity. If you are interested in participating or donating,please go to https://project-change-big-swim-2020.raisely.com/

 

Thursday 26 December – Boxing Day wrapping makes the present

Like you I’ve spent the last few days wrapping presents, unwrapping  presents, and watching presents unwrapped. And now I’ve got a different perspective on boxes and Boxing Day. I think of boxes we put presents in, the extra care we take to wrap a present for someone we care about, because we want to surprise them, with a little extra care. A wrapped present just works better for the giver and the receiver. I love watching a child unwrap a present they are obviously delighted with. It’s a little extra care people like Ian & John take to run the swim, with awesome ‘middle management’ like Anne & Shaun and countless others. The extra care looking after newbies, checking conditions, and warmly greeting us all. It’s how the B&B care.And attracts people that makes us the premier ocean swim group in the world. A little extra care that makes the present of our swim just more of a treasure. Here are some  of the lucky ones who enjoyed an ocean present this morning.

 

May your life unwrap like a treasured present...

Pete Anthony 

Stats 

Swimmers 383 (felt like 9675.89)

Newbies 31 (felt like 32)

Water temperature 21.5 (felt like 22.463786)

The Big Swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach is on Australia Day next year (Jan 26). All proceeds from the swim will go to Project Change International, which is an Australian charity and social enterprise that empowers and enables women and girls in Cambodia to exit the poverty cycle independently.

Their main fundraiser is via the 2.5 km Palm Beach to WhaleBeach swim, and the organisers were hoping that lots of B&B swimmers would be participate in support of their charity. If you are interested in participating or donating,please go to https://project-change-big-swim-2020.raisely.com/

 

25-12-2019 MERRY MERRY XMAS

 

A sense of excitement describes the mood

with animated chatter about family and food

That time of year has arrived again...

Love it or hate it - that fella' 'Jesus' is to blame! 

The masses descend upon the beach

From far and farther... as well as those in reach

In Christmas colours and costumes to boot..

This Christmas swim is one big hoot !

From newbies and oldies and all in between

The B&B Xmas gathering is one spectacular scene

From cool santa cozzies that are delightfully good...

To glasses of bucks fizz and serves of christmas pud.

(oh and Lainey's seedy nutty slice - but that doesn't rhyme!)

 

The chatter continues of presents and wine

and s**tloads of food on which people will dine

The veggies, the turkey, the prawns, the ham

Just make sure good ol' Aunt Ethel doesn't sneak in the spam!

From stretches and photobombs ...to beautiful poses

And cuddles and laughs without the red roses.

The B&B xmas swim is awash with cheer!

And the good thing about it is ....it happens each year!

Whether your from Finland or Scone or Timbuktu

This swim is for everyone....including you!

So pack your smile and big Aussie grin

And get yourself down to this fabulous swim

(well- its a bit late now cos its all over ..but there's always next xmas!)

It's not just for people, its for pets as well!

But if you spot a Council member, make sure you yell

"This dog is mine and that one too - in fact if you count them all up, I've got 22!'

So claim their all yours and Council will walk away ...and our precious little hounds will be safe for another day.

No matter your views on the whole 'Christmas day'

Whether stressful or fun or you just want to run away..!

There's no better way than starting with a B&B swim

Then filling your belly with good quality gin!

 

'So have a great Christmas and look after yourself!'

Said the cool, fit looking, smartly dressed elf

And don't forget ...what a fabulous way...

The B&B swim is to start your Xmas day!

Merry Christmas everyone! Have a safe and happy holiday.

Stats:

Swimmers: 610

Newbies: 57

Temp: 22 degrees

Management Notices....

Don't Miss the Big Swim!

 

The Big Swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach is on Australia Day next year (Jan 26). All proceeds from the swim will go to Project Change International, which is an Australian charity and social enterprise that empowers and enables women and girls in Cambodia to exit the poverty cycle independently.

Their main fundraiser is via the 2.5 km Palm Beach to WhaleBeach swim, and the organisers were hoping that lots of B&B swimmers would be participate in support of their charity. If you are interested in participating or donating, please go to https://project-change-big-swim-2020.raisely.com/

 

Festival of the Newbie

As the frantic lead-up to Christmas subsides, coming to the beach can be an opportunity to relax

Or look after yourself with a practice of self reflection

Or try something something new like the 51 brave souls who did this swim for the first time today. Here are some of them. 

From the Willoughby Swim Club

These 2 are all the way from Sweden!

All up, we had 510 swimmers today. An apology in advance - I met many people for the first time today today and have forgotten almost every name. Please forgive me.

Water temp continues its upward trajectory with very comfortable 21.6 degrees

Karen (I have met Karen before)

An old bag, a new bag and a fancy pair of tights

Shelley again with son Evan plus his lovely partner

John and Cheryl deep in conversation

Henrietta doing a fabulous job welcoming newbies

Kerry, Annie, Georgina and Rosemary - so much talent in 1 photo! An artist, a counsellor, an herbalist and a yogi. I am in awe.

Spotted - a Christmas elf

A few more new people

A boat anchored in OUR bay. Hmmmmm

A few of the multitudes at Shelley

Getting ready for the birthday splashes

Shortly after the Let's Go

People on the path admiring the intrepid swimmers (an assumption really - I have no idea what they were thinking)

Some more newbies on the way back

Here's a rather blurry shot of Ian, Monty and Lainey

The morning ritual

The lovely Dave provided a wonderful table of healthy treats and very yummy fruit cake guaranteed to get you a feature role on that RBT show

Management Notices....

Don't Miss the Big Swim!

The Big Swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach is on Australia Day next year (Jan 26). All proceeds from the swim will go to Project Change International, which is an Australian charity and social enterprise that empowers and enables women and girls in Cambodia to exit the poverty cycle independently.

Their main fundraiser is via the 2.5 km Palm Beach to WhaleBeach swim, and the organisers were hoping that lots of B&B swimmers would be participate in support of their charity. If you are interested in participating or donating, please go to https://project-change-big-swim-2020.raisely.com/

 

So it's Christmas Day tomorrow.  Have an excellent day! Here's Ron Sexsmith. 

Monday 23rd December 2019 - Two days before Christmas.

Water temp 20.6 degrees, 480 swimmers and 40 newbies including Clint who came with Erica.

 
Some of the 7.02am crowd.

David and Kara (who was unfortunately pushed onto the rocks by Vince in the  A-team sprint.)

Lucy & Brad with his sisters La & Hayley, brother-in-law Brett & nephews Tom & Luke visiting from South Africa for Christmas.

Shelly @7:17am.

Just as the 480 B&Bers arrived at Shelly a local running club finished their Christmas Biathlon ( Shelly-Fairy Bower return swim plus Shelly Queenscliff return Run. Gus and Aisling podiumed  @30.31mins.

 Post swim brekkie.

 

Lifeguard Wayne at the point overseeing the mass return of the B&B hoard.

 

Have a great Christmas.. .

 

Simon