Wednesday 3rd March - yes March already! I hope you've all managed to achieve the badges you wanted over summer and its Autumn already although we wouldnt know it!
Fun facts for 3rd March:
- in 1956 the mens 100m freestyle world record which had held for 20 years was broken by Dutch swimmer Cockie Gastelaars (1:04.2) - current record held by Cesar Cielo 46:91!!
- in 1931 the Star Spangled Banner became officially the USA National Anthem
- On March 3rd 1986 the Australia Act was enacted and proclaimed by Queen Elizabeth II. This made Australia a sovereign, independent (from the UK) and federal nation;
- [a few years ago] B&B swimmers today Andre & Jenny were born!
water temp: 23.3 degrees! tropical!
air temp: 18 degrees at 7am
tide - really low!
water conditions - a pristine, clear lake!
Australians are resilient - have been for thousands of years. Over the last few weeks Mother Nature has really tested our reslience where ocean swimming is concerned - swells, storms, wind, bluebottles - rinse & repeat .... with the occasional reprieve of sublime swimming conditions .... she has tested our patience - our urge to "get in there & give it a go" no matter what vs the sensible option of swimming to the conditions & within our limits. I have been reading Ross Edgleys "The Art of Reslilience" - Ross swam, yes, swam (with a support yacht) around Great Britain - all 1780 miles in 157 days through swarms of stinging Jellyfish, alongside enormous Basking Sharks & playful seals & dolphins, through whirlpools, North Sea storms, meanwhile suffering from raw wounds, "salt mouth" & and all along the way collecting a growing group of supporters offering him local treats (supplementing his 647 bananas!) & encouragement. In demonstrating possibly unprecedented mental and physical endurance & resilience, he described a number of factors or "lessons" - drawing on science, medicine & history - that contributed to his resilience. One of the lessons in his book (#14 FYI) theorises that when faced with an unpredictable external force, "some days you might need your dancing shoes whereas on others you might have to wear your boxing gloves. For things you cannot change, adopt a noble spirit, bear up bravely and tune in to natures will".. ie - listen to & connect with nature. this has certainly been the case over the last few weeks, as we have navigated Mother Nature's unpredictability!
On the theme of resilience I asked swimmers what keeps them going in the water..... and especially in tough conditions. For me, especially swimming out and in through waves (my weak spot & fear), its concentrating on being in the moment.... i am told that the water talks to you if you will listen, and thats what I focus on...
Today we needed our dancing shoes and just as well because its Manmaid Andre's birthday! Andre is part of Manly LSC volunteer patrol as he can sometimes be seen flying out through the rip & butterflying all the way to Shelly! Happy birthday Andre and enjoy the day! Melissa made a delicious chocolate cake - breakfast of champions! Andre draws his resilience from the feel of the water and all the fish.... he got the "the water talks to you" message!
DIanne and Kathy swam with Drinks Express today, they saw a grey nurse! Both Dianne and Kathy live in the inner west and they swim because "Heaven can wait"...
Speaking of "Drinks Express" their fearless Leader Drinks himself will need to develop some resilience to avoid swimming as today was his last swim for 3 months - thats 90 days without swimming as he undertakes surgery today (insert agonised face emoji)! We agreed that swimming was addictive, so without swimming & "ocean therapy", he feels like he will be the worlds worst husband, and needs to think about what activity he will "temporarily replace" swimming with to avoid said title of worlds worst husband! We suggested yoga, which was immediately discounted as being "too caught up in yourself" (isnt that the idea? :) )... apparently Golf is out too, so perhaps something outside the box like Darts? Cooking classes? baking for the B&B swimmers each morning? Drinks, we wish you the very best and look forward to seeing you back in the water in 90 days, and hopefully on the beachfront for coffee (and home made freshly baked delicious goodies???) in the meantime! Capless Dave and Driver were in moral support....
and another birthday! Jenny (today) and Charles (2 days ago) with birthday swims! they swim to "cleanse the aura", and saw some rays today....
Roslyn, Jan and Lou find resilience in "because we can, we do" - Lou is also an accomplished sailor having completed 14 (I hope I have that correct) Sydney - hobart yacht races, which can be some of the toughest sailing around, and which definitely take some resilience!
Jeanette, Xena and Liz have been part of Can-too programs - raising money to cure cancer. the resilience cancer patience demonstrate in the face of so many challenges is inspiring and the motivation for all of us in the Can-too programs to keep on going, as a tough ocean swim is nothing compared to going through treatment (and why I also joined can-too). Xena is also a great photographer, finding joy in capturing many magical moments!
Kate, Anita and Jaden ... Kate completed the Huski triathlon (Olympic distance) over the weekend and this is her recovery swim. She finds resilience in focusing on having fun whilst competing. Her goal is to complete, to finish, not focused on time, to become a better version of herself. She competes and swims for pleasure not struggle, even through the tough bits of the race when the lactic acid kicks in - i love that line, and perhaps i'll steal it!
and a blog wouldnt be complete without our canine buddies. Here's Popcorn the puppy showing remarkable resilience as her ears flap in the breeze & focusing on looking cute in the hope that she will receive a treat (it worked).
and finally Peanut.... looking cute definitely works!
Enjoy your day everyone & i highly recommend "The Art Of Resilience" if you are looking for a good read and some inspiration!
Jocelyn
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