Pacific Jules

We love a Christmas (in July) party!!

Last Saturday night was more festive than most at this time of the year 🎄It was so wonderful to get the B&B crew together to celebrate Christmas in July in partnership with Buffalo Pond - Lombok's first swimming school. 

It was an honour to spend the night with you all and share the news and momentum around Buffalo Pond. Our vision to reduce the drowning rates in Indonesia (approximately 13 per day) through swimming programs and education is something that is going to change and save lives. Thank you for being part of this journey and for the support you have shown. All fundraising efforts are going towards building Lombok's first community pool and last Saturday night we raised $10,000 towards this! Amazing!

 

Be sure to stay up to date with the Buffalo Pond news and developments here. If you feel called to contribute you can do so here. 

 

Thanks again and enjoy the photos which perfectly captured the night!!

 

The full folder can be found here 

 

Love Andrea 🐬

 

 

The full folder can be found here. 

Monday 31st July 2023 - DX Martin 3K Justus Colombia 2-1

DX @6:38

6:39 am sunrise

Masters Legends

Martin 3016kms with the B&B.

Justus 

Our Jo swam @6 

Picture for Tilly.

Enjoy the week, stay safe - Swim with a friend.

Simon

Last night we took Max & Matilda to see Columbia beat Germany 2-1.

Friday 28 July 2023 Better than staying in bed!

It was hard to get out of a warm bed today but I was glad I did. While it is the best time of year to swim because of the lovely clear conditions, it takes a long time to let the elbows get wet. It is a key strategy to getting in.

 

There were some lovely gentle waves today

Happy birthday Amanda! A turtle emerged to give her birthday wishes, arranged by Lucy - thank you as I got to see it too

When swimmers emerge from the sea with such lovely smiles, you know you made the right decision

Temperature guardians

Mark reported it was great in

with the sun in the right place

with the sun behind but showing the nice clouds

Lots more fun wave action

 

And so lovely to see people swimming

Some body surfing

 Our monthly (sort of) Tuesday night drinks and talk returns.

Tuesday 8^th August at 6:30 PM. Upstairs at Manly Surf Club.

Come along, the bar will be open. Bring some finger food, have some fun and learn a thing or two.

'Crayweed' (Phyllospora comosa) once formed dense beds on shallow reefs all along the Sydney coastline, but sometime during the 1980s it all disappeared. This has had severe repercussions for local fish, crayfish and marine biodiversity. For the last few years, Cabbage Tree Bay has been part of an experiment to reintroduce Crayweed. With extensive plantings coupled with the living seawall at Fairy Bower pool, enormous gains have been achieved. This month Prof. Adriana Verges, the lead researcher on Operation Crayweed will outline the success so far and how these measures are now being introduced in other areas of Sydney Harbour.  

We swim it every day and now you can get an in-depth look at what is blooming below the surface.  Please register using the link B&B Monthly Talk

Tuesday 25th July - ChatGPT

Happy birthday Lucy and thanks for the yummy cake.

Lainey working again and haven't received her photos so that's why there are so few. Rushing to finish so bad lay out. 

I've been curious how ChatGPT would go with the blog, previous attempts have been useless but thought it would be fun to include one.

My comments first, 16.3c was cold but viz pretty good. Beach closed sign went up afterwards but I'm not sure why. The massive surf from Sunday is gone and it was calm and flat across the bay. Didn't see the big 5 of the bay (not sure if there are 5 like on an African safari ) but early swimmers saw the big ray, the turtle and the grey nurse. Back on shore it was really cold and a long walk back due to the very low tide.

Xmas in July party on Saturday was a success and raised $10,000.

Here's what ChatGPT had to say. 

Today was an absolutely amazing day for a swim from Manly Beach to Shelley Beach! The conditions were near perfect, making it an enjoyable and memorable experience.

 

Weather and Water Conditions:

The day was sunny, but there was a cold breeze, so it was essential to have some extra layers when out of the water. The sea temperature was recorded at a comfortable 16.3 degrees Celsius, which was refreshing without being too cold. The small crowd on the beach made it even more special as we could truly immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature.

 

Marine Life Sightings:

The highlight of the swim was undoubtedly the incredible marine life we encountered along the way. We were lucky to spot several different species of fish, some in colorful schools swimming gracefully beneath us. Among the fish we saw were the strikingly patterned PJ's (Pyjama Cardinalfish) and the majestic Dusky Whaler Sharks. It's always a humbling experience to witness these creatures in their natural habitat, reminding us of the importance of protecting our oceans.

 

The Swim:

The swim from Manly Beach to Shelley Beach was a moderate challenge, but the excellent weather and calm waters made it easier and enjoyable. The distance between the two beaches is approximately 1.5 kilometers, providing a good workout for both seasoned and amateur swimmers. The clear waters allowed us to see the ocean floor and its inhabitants as we made our way through the waves.

 

Arriving at Shelley Beach:

As we reached Shelley Beach, we were welcomed by the stunning scenery and the serenity of the surroundings. The beach's tranquil ambiance and picturesque landscape made the effort entirely worth it. We took some time to relax, bask in the beauty of the coastline, and catch our breath after the invigorating swim.

 

Overall, today's swim from Manly Beach to Shelley Beach was a delightful experience. The good weather, comfortable sea temperature, and breathtaking marine life sightings made it an unforgettable adventure. If you're a nature enthusiast and enjoy open water swimming, this route should undoubtedly be on your bucket list. Remember to respect and protect the marine life and the environment so that future generations can also enjoy the wonders of the sea. Happy swimming!

Enjoy the sun.

Amanda 

 

The winter swim, a series of intimate portraits

G’day and Siyabona 

Today was described as a 10/10 swim by someone, beautiful crisp clear and sunny. 
The scene and the temperature (thank you to our arty wizard Guy) and the welcome ‘desk’ thanks Simone 

The really early crew at crazy o clock, Hugh, Dave aka Capless, Greg ( he drones on a bit), and Jo in an intimate warm up huddle. 

The 6.30 lot coming in 

Tertia comes in with the early crew. We met Tertia shortly after arriving in Aus. She famously told Jonny  to ‘man up’ and start winter swimming. A great inspiration thanks Tertia ! 

The 7 am group entering 

The gorgeous WOW duo Pinky and Amanda 

Some of the lovely Mers Petra, Trent, Tracy and Graham 

I caught some more intimate portraits inadvertently (she said pleading innocence)

Jeff helping Bruce with his wetsuit and seen again later hugging Lou - go Jeff you charmer 

Shanny and Andre, no words. Also no unders it turns out 

Bringing some decorum, the lovely Potgieter family in an intimate family picture Kerry, Suzie, Wally ( the fluffball) and Oom Justus. 

Good mates from way back, the Freshie crew in an intimate portrait with Andre the master baker. Squirrel, Coatsey, Andre, Pete, Chris and Shanny.

Shanny gives  Coatsey a hug. Shanny and Jeff were very affectionate today. Shanny also  below with Simon and Chris the driver. She was everywhere:) 

Drinky slightly dishevelled and the Guv. Arguably the tamest portrait ever of the Guv ever sans one shoe only. With the lovely Kara who had a birthday this week. Happy wishes Kara. 


Orange is the new black. Jon and Lainey our early bird reporters of conditions and fishies. 

One of the best moment captured was the boys and their  ‘kak praat’ (talking rubbish) and a portrait of our BnB swim mateship 

The WOW gang is spread far and wide. 
Amanda in Lake Argyle 

Georgina in Sardinia 

Paloma in the St Lawrence River 

Then there are the boys doing things their airborne way

Edward in WA, great pic and move Edward ! 

Paul in Canada 

A versatile and fabulous lot us BnB’ers. 

Last but not least our grandson Seth’s  indoctrination of ball sports has begun seen here at first soccer lesson aged 18 months 

Hambe Kahle ( go well) 

Di 

x
And from management 

 

 

Budgy Smuggler Random Swimmer of the Month

• The Budgy Smuggler Swimmer of the Month for June is Alison Blazey. Alison receives 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 need 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].

 

B&B Monthly Talk boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au

 Our monthly (sort of) Tuesday night drinks and talk returns.

Tuesday 8^th August at 6:30 PM. Upstairs at Manly Surf Club.

Come along, the bar will be open. Bring some finger food, have some fun and learn a thing or two.

'Crayweed' (Phyllospora comosa) once formed dense beds on shallow reefs all along the Sydney coastline, but sometime during the 1980s it all disappeared. This has had severe repercussions for local fish, crayfish and marine biodiversity. For the last few years, Cabbage Tree Bay has been part of an experiment to reintroduce Crayweed. With extensive plantings coupled with the living seawall at Fairy Bower pool, enormous gains have been achieved. This month Prof. Adriana Verges, the lead researcher on Operation Crayweed will outline the success so far and how these measures are now being introduced in other areas of Sydney Harbour.  

We swim it every day and now you can get an in-depth look at what is blooming below the surface.  Please register using the link B&B Monthly Talk

Tuesday 18th July - Changing plans

Lainey had to work today so I'm unexpectedly blogging. She gets all the photo credits, which includes one I'm in and I don't usually put myself in!! I'm just doing the text.

Another lovely morning and warmer sea temperatures than last week. It was 16.9c though I can't say I feel a big difference. 

As you can see there was actually a wave getting in, though small and harmless. Still pretty flat across the bay and an easy ride back in to shore. Viz is still good with loads of fish and although Lainey saw some pj's,  I didn't. I  did see a group of fish eating one of the big orange jellies so I'm happy they are useful for something. 

So as you can see,  another glorious day in paradise, especially once you get out of the water,  warm up and look back on it while drinking a hot cuppa !

Have a great day. 

Amanda

 

Monday 17th July 2023 - Michele’s 3000kms

Congratulations Michele “swimming 3000kms with the B&B “

6am

I swam at 6:09 am with this crew.

Warmer water

Hot coffee

Happy birthday 

Girls

The slight drizzle gave us a rainbow over my place.

Have a safe & enjoyable week.

 

Special B&B Event:

 

BOOK HERE NOW: https://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/christmas-in-july-2023.html

 

 

 

Friday 14 July 2023 Forget the Solstice - this is week 7 of winter

YES! this is the first week in winter 2023 when you could have completed 20 swims in 7 weeks to earn your badge. So exciting. It needs to be a public holiday. I hope you are on taregt to get your winter swim badge. 

There were about 10-ish swimmers at 6 am. It was quite dark. There were about 100 630 swimmers and I thought that there would not be many at 7 but there lots at 7 as well. 

This is Amy against the sunrise sky. 

As you know, the 630 swimmers are too fast to capture so here is a shot of them after their swim was completed. 

These girls went in for their swim later

I was doing underwater swim photos by stealth but this swimmer cottoned on to what what going on. Swimmers are so clever - that is why they swim!

The tri club gals. 

Ann has been travelling - Welcome back!!!

Todd

It was dark going in

And light ocming out

The 630 swimmers returning - so dark the flash went off

The flash made the water look different. I like it

My nuisance photos of people swimming 

Richard - heart of gold swimmer

Look at the effort Guy put into the Bastille Day temperature. The flag is battleworn. AS for Richard's sea/air temp, I am missing it. I look at the surf club for it but it is not there. I am therefore more ignorant than usual. Chloe explained that the thermometer is covered in sand and needs clearing. I hope it can happen soon

Bit of a wave. A nice wave




Delightful to see Daphne

 

Wednesday 12th July - Infusing the golden winter morning light: fuelling "happy hormones" - Endorphins, seratonin & Dopamine

Wednesday 12th July - another perfect winters day with the chill of the air slowly warming as the golden sunlight rises out of the ocean.    AND its week 7 for the Winter Swim badges  - will more neoprene make an appearance, I wonder?   

I came across this poem (by "anonymous") which I feel describes the winter mornings we have been blessed with for several weeks & fuelling calmness through warming, healing, golden light (seratonin), energised by the freshness of the air and water on our neoprene-less skin (endorphins) and motivated by the winter swimming badge challenges, especially winter without wetsuit! (dopamine):

"Day’s sweetest moments are at dawn;
Refreshed by his long sleep, the Light
Kisses the languid lips of Night,
Ere she can rise and hasten on …"

This mornings conditions, again, perfection:

Water temp:15.7 degrees

air temp: 4.1 degrees at 7am (brrrrr) 

conditions: flat, calm, perfect

vibe:  happiness & pure salty joy!

The Bold and Beautiful community represents swimmers and ocean lovers from coffee dippers to elite record holders.   Their swimming journeys all started with a "seed" or, possibly more appropriately, a drop of water.    Fuelled & energised by the endorphins the cold water generates, calmed by seratonin generated by exercise, healing golden sunlight and connecting with nature, and dopamine having completed the swim, dip, etc and one swim closer to a winter badge!

Sometimes the drop of water quickly turns into a puddle, a stream and an ocean as swimmers increase distance, or time in water, or face fears of waves, currents, rips ... and sometimes the journey is slower, taking time to infuse vitamin sea and vitamin D, wonder at natures beauty and the ever changing ocean and all she brings to us.

This morning Annette completed her first B&B swim having met WOW Claire on Lady Elliot Island during a free diving course. Here is Luke manning the Welcome desk, helping Annette log in & present her with the coveted pink cap!... pre swim...

...And afterwards, on a high from the endorphins from the cold water & golden energy of the sun, calmed by seratonin and motivated by the dopamine of completing her first swim, sharing the "sauna wall" with Jo, Louise & Clare!  I think Annette will be back!

Bruce was excited to lead the "Lets go"! 

Di and Amanda are on a time schedule and hope to see a few creatures, looking for seratonin as a calm way to start their day 

Fi & WOWs are looking forward to their endorphin rush and hope to see a repeat of yesterdays display of nature - port jackson sharks & cuttlefish intimately getting to know each other!

Davina is hoping to be energised to help her through another big day at work - seratonin for calmness & endorphins to energise her day

 

Lisa, Petra, Tania, Lyndall, Luke, Georgie & David fuelling serotonin , warming up after their endorphin explosion  into the golden light - and did you know that patting a dog is also a seratonin generator as well as sunlight?   

Boris the labrador made sure EVERYONE knew that :)

“Unidentified” (for the purposes of this blog) B&B swimmer, energised and calm,  found a perfect place for his morning meeting.... 

Wishing you calmness and positive energy to get through the day & week.  Its Kind July so stay kind, look out for one another and have a wonderful Wednesday!

Jocelyn

 

Reminder:  Xmas in July party & fundraiser!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 11th July - Endless Glory

How amazing have the conditions been this winter! I'm not sure if it's just because the last 2 winters weren't up to par or we've been exceptionally lucky. The tough part has only been the temperature, which at 15.7c today was painful to get in and stopped me going all the way in to arctic Shelley beach.

It has been so calm and clear along with seemingly endless low tides, which means getting around the corner to slightly warmer water a bit quicker.  

Ro, Lisa, Di (with her new English beanie that has a pompom as big as the hat itself ), Nikki and Clare not ready to disrobe. It was a cold morning at 8c.

Annie and Roz giving Michael a happy birthday cuddle. I'm sure he enjoyed his swim (and cuddle).

Warming up again post swim and Emma racing off to work.

Tam rocking her tracksuit with swim cap and googles, Minnie ready to go. 

Fi very pleased with herself as apart from all the fishies we saw, she saw 2 pj's mating followed by a cuttlefish eating a fish.

Martin and Michelle returning from a later(warmer?) swim.

Some final chatter before it's time to head home.

Roz, Terese, Fi and Clare.

Such a stunning day so I took one last photo on my way home.

Have a great day and don't forget the xmas in July party.

Amanda