Pacific Jules

I came, I saw, I left!

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE RISKS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19). IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE. 

Thank you for swimming at different times of the day and
please, please continue to maintain 1.5m distance - even in blog photos!

 

There was nothing appealing about the ocean today, except for bouncing around in the water. But then I saw Rusty, who informed me of the blue bottles, he was going for a run.

Some of the views as I walked to the club.

Some prep work being done by the lifeguards early in the morning

Then I went onto the beach to suss out the situation of the bluebottles

they stretched all the way up from south steyne to north steyne and further I imagine. Some wise early swimmers went to the harbour for the Vitamin Sea fix, wise people that they are. I went to the point and could see Shelley beach was empty. Only one person went in for a swim I"m told, a 20 min swim in a wetsuit.

Some people opted for a dip in the water, they'd come all this way.

Some hung around the club for a while and socialised.

Lightning was visible too , another good reason to stay dry. Went for a coffee instead with Jenny and saw the stream of people coming and going from the cafe. We saw Jenny Taylor, happy birthday to Jenny.

Stay safe everyone, maybe tomorrow is a nicer day. 

Friday 30 October 2020 Glaringly obvious - an excellent swim

It was a great day to swim today. Glaringly so. I was blinded by the glare in fact. This did not deter the huge number of swimmers though who were keen for the 17.6 waters and a great way to start the day. A bit of waves which were nice to swim through

So glad to get these fabulous early swimmers

 

Here are some swimmers with not-newbie Paul. 

A very enjoyable swim even though they were very fast and not in for as long as me!

Mark

Mother daughter swim team: lovely Sarah and Grace

Over the waves

Im impressed: earrings intact.

Elbow in the glare

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HER ROYAL KINDNESS PAULINE

I sought her here and with Chloe sought her at Shelly. I stopped every swimmer with a snorkel in case and even a swimmer with a blue rashie. No luck. did not get a photo but still wish her a very happy birthday

Luckily Elaine was in the right place

Thursday 29 October 2020: Let them Eat Cake Day

Di declared today "Let Them Eat Cake Day" and celebrated by making a Pumpkin Chiffon Cake to celebrate Halloween.  She was disappointed that it didn't turn out as well as she wanted - looks pretty good to me.

Speaking of celebrations - if you see Pauline (aka known as Ian's better half) be sure to wish her a very happy birthday.

Sarah found these googles in the waves so she has hung them on the hooks if they are yours.

Cake anyone?

Sarah had just got back form her swim and was happy to share a report about conditions.
Even though the weather was a little grey - its doesn't matter - we feel better after a swim in CTB.

and catching up with friends.

The Bishop failed in his attempt to "walk on water" - cutting the corner at the point a little too close.

Water today was 17.9 and reasonably clear considering recent weather.  Even the waves behaved this morning making for a very pleasant swim and a perfect way to get ready to face the day.

Have a good one everyone and Happy Birthday for tomorrow Pauline.

 

28-10-2020: calmer conditions & occasional clarity

After a few hair raising days of wind, rips, rain and swell it was great to return to calmer conditions and see the sun make an appearance briefly this morning!

This person was enjoying the serenity and contemplating the water clarity. If you didn't quite make it in, the water was beautifully clear going out and around the point but then without warning, you hit a murky wall of water which lasted pretty much to Shelly.  The water temp had dropped too. No lazing about in the water today 🥶

It's always good to be prepared no matter where you are or what you are doing. Just ask Clare.

As soon as she saw the blogger approach, she whipped out her lippy, coloured in her lips and voila - was photo ready in a flash!

Here's cheers to that !! Thanks Di and Oosty!

Buddy is making a b-line for the only man in the photo. Could it be that he wanted to give him male moral support or because he knew he was about to be taken on a fabulous dog walk? Let us know when you get a moment, Buddy!

Natalie, Di's wonderful daughter is doing a bit of dog whispering as well as stopping Maisy from falling off the wall! 

If you are missing a trolley, come and get it. Its under the tree. If no-one claims it then that's ok too, as it could make for a very comfortable spot to sit and watch the waves and world go by!

Happy hump day! Have a great week!

27/10/20 - Why do you swim?

The surfers are cheering because they are finally seeing some waves, but for the B&B crew there is a lot of "to swim or not to swim" taking place. 

As I swam this morning alongside Tony and the crew, I was thinking “hmmm what can I write about in today's blog”... considering that there was no chance of capturing any photos due to the poor visibility. 

As I peered up to the stormy sky every three breaths, I thought why do I do this swim? What compels hundreds of people to get into the water rain, hail or shine?

The obvious answer is the swim, but I would also like to challenge you to consider, is it the swim itself… or is it the swimmers? 

For me, the answer is the swimmers.
My journey in the water today involved the following interactions with the B&B community. 

I passed Andrew and received a big ‘hello’ from him. As I went to hang my towel, I gave a fellow B&B swimmer that look of ‘should I really do this or should I rug up and head back to bed’. He said “go on … you never regret a swim”. How true is that. 

I then walked to the water and was met with smiling and accomplished faces leaving the 17.1 degree water. 

At shelly… more smiles and community.

As I went to pick up my towel, groups of sandy footed B&B swimmers laughing and drinking their coffee.

Freddy to dog, happy as ever and great conversations all round. 

So again I ask… why do you swim? 

It is rare to find a strong community these days and I believe that it is often not prioritised. However, did you know that community and connection is actually the leading indicator to living a long and prosperous life. 

Keep doing what you’re doing everyone and keep connecting and building community. Above all, take a moment to stop and be thankful for the B&B team and everything that it stands for. 

 

Andrea McDowell

 

Winter Badge Collection 2020
Congratulations to all those who completed their Covid-19 winter swimming challenge. As we are expecting nearly 600 swimmers to qualify, the badge distribution this year will be different in order to maintain a Covid-safe environment for our volunteers. Unfortunately, only virtual handshakes and hugs from Ian, John, Anne and Pauline and contact-less distribution.

There are two ways you can obtain your badge(s)

1. Place self-addressed, stamped envelope in the box provided outside the surf club between 7 am and 8 am any during the week,  to Sunday 6th September, inclusive. Inside the envelope place cash for your badge/s - $10 per badge for the Covid Badge (if you completed 20 swims over winter) and an extra $10 for the Ice Cold Corona Badge if you did those swims without a wetsuit. Family members/friends sharing an envelope must clearly name each swimmer and badge achieved. Please check postage rates and size of envelope required for multiple badges.

2. Post a self-addressed, stamped envelope with payment and swimmer details, as above to Ian Forster, 6 Bligh St, Northbridge. 2063.
   
   

Badges will be posted as soon as they arrive. If you have any other badges that you are missing and wish to purchase, please include cash for those as well.

Please Note: We will place a New Swimmer sheet and pink caps with the collection box so that any would-be swimmers can sign up and collect a cap.

26/10/20 - Mollibus Extulit Vis

We lead with our thoughts, ‘we think therefore we are’. We like to believe that our conscious portion, that bit that floats above and looks out across the water, is the greater part of who we are.

After all, it remembers us from the past, it imagines us into the future, and discerns the direction to take us where we’d like to go.

Whilst working unseen beneath the water line, always in the present, the body, the unconscious mind, is diligently providing its buoyant force. We rarely pay it heed, until we feel we’re sinking.

Only to then resent it as a dragging anchor. But it’s more than just support. It’s the canvas upon which consciousness paints its horizons, the vehicle that allows you reach them and the feelings that lift you beyond.

 

 

With love,
Andrew Maher.
Foundation, NeuroStructural Chiropractic, Mona Vale (mention you swim with B&B)

STATS
Water temp: 17.5. Rain. High tide.
Swimmers: 54
Newbies: 0

 

 

Winter Badge Collection 2020
Congratulations to all those who completed their Covid-19 winter swimming challenge. As we are expecting nearly 600 swimmers to qualify, the badge distribution this year will be different in order to maintain a Covid-safe environment for our volunteers. Unfortunately, only virtual handshakes and hugs from Ian, John, Anne and Pauline and contact-less distribution.

There are two ways you can obtain your badge(s)

1. Place self-addressed, stamped envelope in the box provided outside the surf club between 7 am and 8 am any during the week,  to Sunday 6th September, inclusive. Inside the envelope place cash for your badge/s - $10 per badge for the Covid Badge (if you completed 20 swims over winter) and an extra $10 for the Ice Cold Corona Badge if you did those swims without a wetsuit. Family members/friends sharing an envelope must clearly name each swimmer and badge achieved. Please check postage rates and size of envelope required for multiple badges.

2. Post a self-addressed, stamped envelope with payment and swimmer details, as above to Ian Forster, 6 Bligh St, Northbridge. 2063.
   
   

Badges will be posted as soon as they arrive. If you have any other badges that you are missing and wish to purchase, please include cash for those as well.

Please Note: We will place a New Swimmer sheet and pink caps with the collection box so that any would-be swimmers can sign up and collect a cap.

 

If life gives you lemons 25/10/2020

It's wet
It's windy
It’s grey
It’s Sunday

But hang on  - what's this? Ugg boots at the end of October.

Those who ventured out into the cold breeze were treated to a fantastic swim.

So if life gives you lemons, what do you do?

Above: Suzie and Shanny can hear ocean music in those lemons. Suzie says, "If life gives you lemons, give them to your friends".  Shanny is thinking of that lemon in a gin and tonic sundowner.

 

Above: Drinksie is emphatic that life is never lemons if you swim at around 6.30am.

Above: We had to get a log into this blog and today's log kindly provided by Jim who lugs around this timber in order to limber up on the beach before his swim.  Inez is going to use her lemons to make apricot jam and we did a great exchange of lemons for jam.

 

Above: Roz broke into a tune about a lemon tree.

 

Above: Jim is also going slice up his lemon to go into his gin and tonic.

Above: Sarah is going to use that lemon to make a hot lemon and honey drink after her swim.

Other uses for lemons - Sarge uses lemon in his humus and Simon puts it on grated apple as part of his Swedish breakfast.

Above: Merlin asks “Are you kidding me- do you think I don’t know the difference between a lemon and tennis ball?”

 

Above: A big shout out to the legendary Errol who celebrates his Birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERROL.  We're sorry that Errol has been dealt the lemon of having to spend his Birthday in hospital but we look forward to seeing him down at the beach soon to celebrate. This photo was taken a few weeks ago.

 

Above: Today's weather stats. Yesterday's water temp was 18.8 so it was a lot cooler.

 

Above: Swimmer numbers were edging up slowly through the day.

Above:  This intrepid trio – Keith, Inge and Kierin – missed out on my last blog and have reminded me of this ever since. They threatened to pelt me with lemons if I didn't run this - so here is a pic from sunnier days. 

 

Thank you for swimming at different times of the day and please, please continue to maintain 1.5m distance.

Stay safe and remember it ain’t over till it’s over.

Oosty

Wild and woolly today

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE RISKS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19). IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE. 

Thank you for swimming at different times of the day and
please, please continue to maintain 1.5m distance - even in blog photos!

It just started to rain as I arrived today, plus it was overcast, windy and rough looking seas. It wasn't particularly encouraging and there weren't alot of people turning up to swim. Once I saw this group of people meditating it calmed me a bit, the group has grown and it's such a lovely idea.

Water temp was 18. something, this is how the beginning of my swim looked

From there it all went downhill. The current didn't necessarily pull me out to the point as expected, but swirled me around like a ragdoll, which I"m not! I still managed to get to the point safely, where I found some early crew friends who started at Shelly.

This is literally all I could see between the point and half way

Allan and a few other swimmers at Shelly, note how uncrowded it is on days like today

I had the grey nurse shark swim right before me in fairly shallow water, but by the time I took my camera out it had gone into murky water, today wasn't the day to follow wildlife for a photo.

I saw this lovely PJ or Crested Horn Shark today.

Then this pretty ray amonst many.

Halfway and Manly had plenty of waves and action, a great day for the surfers.

One swimmer-

became two swimmers-

became three swimmers-

Happy people post swim

The sign says it all, always swim within your limits and preferable not alone.

Have a safe weekend everyone, Edwina.

Friday 23 October 2020 Looking for the laboradors of the sea

Approximately 2,789.34 swimmers were at the beach today and the buzz was all about the sharks. The people came to see the laboradors of the sea, the grey nurse sharks. Also, it is a lovely day and the water is hot hot hot - 19.3 - almost too hot!

in amongst all the swimmers and swimming traffic, I found Hattie and she agreed to pose for a blog photo! Finally !

One person preparing to swim and one possibly hiphop dancing. perhaps

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA

CAN THERE BE A BETTER CAKE THAN PINEAPPLE UPSIDE CAKE? 

More triathletes headed for cake. Better be quick

The swim was good. A bit of a wave and enjoyable. A lot of seaweed and a bit of plastic. 

 

Lauren's elbow. 

Lauren herself

Greetings for family and friends (while searching for the grey nurse shark): 

Here are the GNS spotters. It was too murky and my photo did not come out but I did see it!!
  

Thanks for pointing it out!!!

Tony with swim pals - HSC is underway and each exam completed is a relief. For students and also families. Take care all

the sun

A-team swimmer spotted the shark!

Carol can see so many fish 

WOWs

Henrietta saw 5 GNS yesterday. 5

Tony did not mind I was in the way. I think

Richard


Some wave action modelled by some gorgeous swimmers

Karen - a wave angel

Thursday, 22 October 2020 - Life Down Under (deep) - SoMo changes

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE RISKS OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19). IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE. 

Thank you for swimming at different times of the day and
please, please continue to maintain 1.5m distance - even in blog photos!

SSDD = Same Sea, Different Day

Have a great day!

Water temp:  18.6