Pacific Jules: March 2022

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March 2022

Monday, 14 March 2022

Monday 14th March 2022 - Beachwatch & Matisse - The swimmer in the Tank

Bootycamp got wet but also took time to collect rubbish.

The Doctor said , “the water turned my white swimmers brown”.

The Trooper said the water at Shelly was NOT clear.

Linda has suspended her ocean Goodswim school until further notice.

Shaun Veena & Martin took the coffee option.

I spent yesterday afternoon on patrol, removing scores of branches and logs from the beach also strewn with dead bream & leather jacket fish.

On Friday I visited the Matisse exhibition and like “Swimmer in the Tank” I’ve opted to swim at the Andrew Boy Charlton (ABC) pool until Beachwatch gives us a green light water rating.

The Matisse show also featured his swimming themed paper cutouts:

Blue nude (cut in 15 minutes).

and a video of Matisse cutting his “Polynesia, Sea” - with seaweed, coral & jimbles

Today I swam in the Tank with the 5:30 am crew.

Stay safe.

Simon

(longing for the clear water to return)

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Posted by Simon Cowell at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Saturday, 12 March 2022

In Thanks of Sunshine

So glad the scary week is over!

This photo is a bit of a cheat - it's from the end of my street this morning.

Coffee time for early swimmers

These 2 said it was ok but the viz was not great (as in awful)

Getting cooler but still very tolerable (not that I would know, not ready to test the immune system yet)

Visitor from Melbourne

The Wows celebrated Alex's birthday which was actually last Tuesday

Not only is Alex pulchritudinally blessed, she is also a scholar of the Classics

Some more stunning beauty

Snap

Loads of action on the water today

Budgie Smuggler Swimmer of the Month

The Budgie Smuggler Swimmer of the Month for February is .. (drum roll ...Fiona Johnson. Fiona will receive a voucher for a new pair of Budgy Smugglers from the Budgy Smuggler shop. To be in the running for Swimmer of the Month, all you have to do is log your swims. The winner is selected randomly from all those who have swum at least once during the month. The more times you swim the more chances you have to win the prize. So start logging now. If you don't know how, just email Ian, [email protected]

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

You’ve done the hard yards and got your Summer 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 ceremony will be held at the Royal Far West’s Centre for Country Kids at 14-18 Wentworth St (opposite Rialto Square) on Sunday 27^th March, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 per person 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 NOW https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/2021-summer-badge-ceremony.html

All 2021 summer 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 winter badges...

To find out if you have qualified, go to the Daily View page on the Log-in site and click on the relevant badges. Or Click on the links below:

Summer Badge

Summer Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

6 km Badge

10 km Badge

What am I listening to? New track of the upcoming album of one of my favourite bands Belle & Sebastian

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Posted by Anne at 01:51 PM in Bold & Beautiful, Manly Life Saving Club, Ocean Swimming | Permalink | Comments (2)

Friday, 11 March 2022

Friday 11 March 2022 Living the dream

Manly is tidying itself up for the swim. Sea and sand looked manageable today. FFFs were out and some people were swimming

Enjoy your day.

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Posted by Elizabeth Stewart at 07:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, 10 March 2022

222 Thursday

With the water warm, but days of rain, I decided not to swim in the Ocean today. As I approached Manly I saw these 2 on the bench,

and then saw the temp of 22.2 and only 2 entering at 7am. Appears to be a day of 2s!

On my walk to Shelly I happened by Anne E., the 2 of us walked to shelly enjoying the rainbow of Skis ready for the 'Let's Go', a bit different from the 'Let's go' we are used to.

20220310_070938

The sky was beautiful this morning and it looks like we'll see the sun again today!

It's been 11 days since I last swam in the Ocean, I won't swim tomorrow either and that will be the longest break I've had in 2 years! I have been swimming a few days a week with a few of you at Andrew Boy Charlton pool in Manly to keep me sane. I am so desperate for a clean Ocean swim I'm heading to WA this weekend... Hoping the rest of you are coping with the wet weather and lack of vitamin Sea (and D).

A few dry-land photos from today.

Notices:

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Posted by Alana Abercrombie at 02:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, 09 March 2022

9-03-2022: Calm after crazy storm

After a crazy, wild day across Greater Sydney yesterday, in particular Manly & Northern Beaches, where roads were underwater & cars were floating past school classrooms - today you wouldn’t have thought we were in the same city! All looked calm on the outside & clean up was well under way!

The beach was closed due to pollution rather than wild surf!

Dave was off for a surf 🏄🏻‍♂️

Doug had just been in for a swim! He swam to the pool and back. Didn’t feel the need to swim to Shelly today, he said. He usually swims around 9.30 each day and has been doing so for about 15 years!

Ned wouldn’t get out of the way of the temperature sign! He rather fancies his left side in photos.

I distracted him with a stick & managed to get the full picture! 23.2 today!

Richard had just finished a balderdash! I asked him to send me proof but it still hasn’t come through yet! 🤔

The storm water from the drain at Fairy Bower was strong enough to lift the cement slab! Anyone want to volunteer to put it back before someone falls in?

Still a bit of cleaning up to do! Anyone lost a bin?

The footpath outside the BoatHouse at Shelly Beach has eroded away in parts! You might need to bend your neck for this one!

Maisy was wondering what she’d done wrong this time! I said that for the first time in her life she had done nothing wrong & that the sign said ‘Bloody Mary’ not ‘Bloody Maisy’!
While some of the cafes along the water were closed, the Boathouse wasn’t going to let a wild river of debris & murky water running past its front door yesterday stop them from opening today & celebrate with a Bloody Mary or two!! Go BH!!

This little guy was a bit wet & bedraggled but felt lucky to be alive!

And just in time, Richard came through with proof of his balderdash route !! Well done Richard 😉

And last but not least at least these guys have finally got some actual water to scuba dive in!

Stay safe everyone and here’s hoping we’ve seen the back of this crazy weather for awhile! 🤞

Lucy

Notices:

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Posted by Lucy Crook at 01:35 PM in Bold & Beautiful, Pacific Jules | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tuesday, 08 March 2022

08/03/2022 - You never regret a swim!

I wasn't expecting this happy vibe when I got down to the Surf Club this morning. It was raining, cool and miserable but I thought I'd better make the effort. I was well rewarded. It's always a great start to a day even if you don't swim! 23.3 water temp.

Michele had just come out of the water and reported that' it doesn't taste bad actually.' If our Emergency Dr was going in...so was !

Jo never misses a day although there have been a few missed lately...

The lovely Nicci was going in and we swam to the shed and back. It was so good swimming in the rain!

There was a rip coming in but nothing like the rips and waves we've had the last week.

Dave never lets waves or rips deter him...

These are pics (not mine) of the Turtles that have been seen in Cabbage Tree Bay in Jan and Feb

If you get a chance go to Narooma and book a trip to Montague Island to swim with seals! These were taken 3 weeks ago.

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

To find out if you have qualified, go to the Daily View page on the Log-in site and click on the relevant badges. Or Click on the links below:

Summer Badge

Summer Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

6 km Badge

10 km Badge

Stay safe guys with all this rain. Bluewater dinner postponed.

Duncan's talk last night was very good by the way at Malibu Gym.

Better get this blog posted!

Lainey

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Posted by Lainey Loo at 05:43 PM in Bold & Beautiful, Pacific Jules | Permalink | Comments (1)

Monday, 07 March 2022

Monday, 7 March 2022 - Seeking comments, how do you 'branch out' on a rainy day?

Chatting this morning looking at the waves crashing in, we were extra appreciative of what we have as the B&B swim is temporarily on a (weather driven) hiatus. Today’s conditions were again grey sky, rough sea and murky water. Locals are predicting the water could clear as soon as Wednesday, may it be true.

When the B&B swim is temporarily too treacherous, what are your substitute activities?

Share some ideas with the B&B family in the comments section below, keen to hear how you ‘branch out’ when we cannot swim.

When you cannot get across to Shelly, what do the B&B family and friends do to 'branch out'? Would love to get your comments (below) on substitute activities during rainy & rough water days.

Rain, hail, shine or closed beach - Guy delivers, with warm water (23.3) waiting our return soon.

Lorraine, Bonnie & Jo still making the most of the slice of paradise we call Manly. When swimming isn't an option:

(1) Lorraine can be found practicing yoga and is always happy to offer free Pilates on the grass every Tuesday;

(2) Bonnie focuses her downtime on refining her Jiu-jitsu;

(3) Jo has made B&B a stable part of her life for a year+, with no plans to change her morning routine. When swimming isn't an option, a social coffee at Vini's helps fill the gap.

Petra & Sven wont let rain stop them from reaching Shelly, always keen to chase the morning sun (even if swimming isn't an option).

Always a friendly face at South Steyne, do say hi and get involved in the community. Ian and the team welcomed a newcomer (Mariella on the left) to the B&B crew and presented her with a new B&B cap - Welcome! When the team isn't welcoming new members, time for a coffee and catch up was a popular pastime.

The Booty crew managed to find a gap in the weather for a workout, everyone was in great form today!

One of the more experienced swimmers went for a dip to check conditions. Lone ranger confirmed our suspicions, uncharacteristically brown water (even browner than yesterday). On the upside, it is warm and the surf is starting to flatten.

Can you pick the bold and beautiful? Locals swapping a swim for a run and social coffee.

Some locals took the need to branch out rather seriously...

A chance for an extended catch up, walk to shelly and coffee were among some of the preferred options.

Stay safe,

Lyndall & Scott

-----------

Announcement:

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

To find out if you have qualified, go to the Daily View page on the Log-in site and click on the relevant badges. Or Click on the links below:

Summer Badge

Summer Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

6 km Badge

10 km Badge

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Posted by Scott Russell at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sunday, 06 March 2022

Sunday 6th March: Standing at the limit of an endless ocean....

Manly seems like an extension of the ocean at the moment. Mother nature has unleashed again and decided that its not quite time to return to a "new"' normal. She is testing our resilience and patience and community spirit. Many of our amazing community are selflessly involved in volunteer emergency services in the flood zones, some far from home, or organising donations and assistance. What a great community we have.

And our fabulous life guards & life savers keeping the beaches safe, especially in current conditions . Please respect the lifeguards when they advise not to swim. Even if you are, think you are, strong enough to brave the conditions, remember that others (who may not be as strong or capable) see you and may get a false sense of safety & follow you in & get into trouble …. We will be able to swim again when this confuddled weather settles down ..

Todays stat thingys:

Water temp: had washed off!

air temp: hot and muggy … pool swim day today !

conditions: great if you want to catch a mysterious disease as an excuse not to go into the office

vibe: a bit of frustration and a bit of awe at mother nature’s power

i cant get the Icehouse song "great southern land" out of my head....

Standing at the limit of an endless ocean

stranded like a runaway lost at sea

city on a rainy day down in the harbour

watching as the grey clouds shadow the bay

looking everywere cause i had to find you

this is not the way I remember it here

anyone will tell you its a prisoner island

hidden in the summer for a million years

.... and its still our piece of paradise... to nurture and enjoy

stay safe, stay dry, be kind and look out for each other,

Jocelyn

Announcement:

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

To find out if you have qualified, go to the Daily View page on the Log-in site and click on the relevant badges. Or Click on the links below:

Summer Badge

Summer Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

6 km Badge

10 km Badge

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Posted by Jocelyn Webb at 12:57 PM in Bold & Beautiful, Ocean Swimming | Permalink | Comments (3)

Saturday, 05 March 2022

A cause for cautious optimism?

A stunning rainbow was on view this morning, and after more than an hour at Manly and Shelly here was NO RAIN (the forecast is the weather will hurl a little more abuse at us tomorrow and Monday and then the rain will gradually let up.)

Izzy, Belinda, Willow and Sylvie's butt

That's better, Sylvie!

Dry blog today following the removal of a benign skin thingy, but plenty of things to see regardless

We're still getting some big surf and challenging conditions, with few swimmers venturing out from Manly. The word from the lifeguard is don't.

Jacqui and I saw one of the 2 bodysurfers having a post swim shower outside and he said the conditions were difficult. Even with flippers he felt underpowered, with the current trying to send him to Shelly.

Shelley, Roz and Melise said Shelly was OK, as did Jo. Non swimmers Willow, Sylvie, Belinda and Jacqui posing nicely (although Jacqui later challenged her immune system with a foray into the Shelly stuff)

Being the weekend, the lifesavers are on duty, and on this morning B&B swimmers Kate and Shaun are looking after us

Another patrol member checking the conditions

Ski paddler at the Bower

Shelly

Dave C says don't get distracted while getting out at half way in these conditions

Because.....

Like I said, still messy but lovely

Still, there was some wildlife to be seen.

A condescending glance

The surfers were having the best of it

And a little blogger indulgence

A good day for the spider, for the Black Jezebel butterfly not so much

Management notices

B&B monthly dinner – 8^th March 2022

Coming up at our next B&B dinner on March 8^th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, we keep things close to home, with our beloved Cabbage Tree Bay once again being the centre of attention. This month John Michael (Thommo) Thomson, our guest speaker, and the lead organiser of the Cole Classic, takes us below the surface for an in-depth view of the Cole. Each year so many B&Bers volunteer on the day and this is a major contribution to the community involvement required to organise such an event. Over the last three years more than $400,000 has been raised for a whole range of projects including marine conservation in CTB. Funding from the Cole Classic can be a vehicle of change to further enhance the CTB environment. Come along to hear about what has been done as well as provide input into what you think needs to be done.

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $30 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 27^th March

To find out if you have qualified, go to the Daily View page on the Log-in site and click on the relevant badges. Or Click on the links below:

Summer Badge

Summer Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

6 km Badge

10 km Badge

What am I listening to while doing this blog? I enjoyed it, maybe you will too.

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Posted by Anne at 05:05 PM in Bold & Beautiful, Manly Life Saving Club, Ocean Swimming, Pacific Jules, Sports | Permalink | Comments (3)

Friday, 04 March 2022

There's a light that never goes out

Deserted car parks, desolate streets. A combination of menacing conditions kept many from Manly.

I pace the lonely streets and sand towards the bunker. War has been declared on the Manly beachfront. Pollution. Disappearing sand. A 4m shark rumoured to be lurking, waiting at the point.

This week's we've seen life guards eagerly printing signs that show different ways to die. But nothing stops Dave Panton, who punches through the waves, 2 mates in tow. No jet ski rescue required with these iron men.

Nothing stops the irrepressible Guy as well. Temperature slightly dropping, still felt pretty good for my tea bag dip.

Guy brightens our day ahead

Drinks Express have taken up a new hobby in the era of a perilous ocean

A long time grey yields to some colour

Queensie has been washed off the map

A few have wondered about these weird looking concrete saucers

The East Coast low has caused extreme erosion and the old Manly Life Saving Club deck pylons have reappeared

Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people
And I want to see life

The council's yellow sign factory has gone into over drive. 2 more fatal pastimes added today - the danger surf conditions locking up the path to Shelley, along with the rock fall above the path (wasn't me walking that path officer!)