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Great conditions to finish off 2023 today. No appearance of the turtle so that is the whole of 2023 without me seeing it but so glad that others saw it. Well maybe not "so" glad. I'll give it another chance next year.
Jules, Kate, Niels and Pierre. Fab four among the many fab swimmers I found today
What a holiday time. So much goings on - enough to try any ordinary person BUT we are swimming in the Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad at Manly - give or take a few tribes either side of 7 am - and we may be collecitng swims for a badge. As Anne said this morning - it is for the badge, Madge.
Today there was red algae close to Shelly Beach, lots of seal lice, orange jelly blubbers and also some jimbles. At the knee of the legends of the swim we were always told that jimbles come out in winter, that they avoid the waves. Well, jimbles have overheard and they are in waves. They are out and it is summer. Do they have the wrong hemisphere perhaps?
At least the water is a high 22.8. I saw some squid but they evaded my camera.
Big news today is that it is GEOFF THORSEN'S 80th birthday. Apart form being a great triathlete and member of the superb Warringah Tri tribe, he also has a great sense of humour (ie it aligns with mine). His gorgeous group of friends sang "Happy Birthday" heartily and there was chocloate cake. All the best Geoff. One can only hope to follow in Geoff's footsteps - great swimmer and triathlete and a lovely person worthy of a great tribute on his birthday from friends.
And that is another swim ticked
Bit of orange blubber presence
Such cheery swimsuits aboud!
I was trying to photograph squid near the point but got Ian instead - fair substitution, I would say.
Santa Dave
Santa Gareth
Warm ocean
Christmas B&B welcome
Santa Lainey
I caught 17 waves @6:15 with Brett, Ali, Capless, Kenny & Santa Kombi Mark
Simon & Chris raced back with the 630 Drinks Express just before 7.
Over 200 B&Bers @7am.
Many in Chrissy Cossies
Many young old & familiar faces
Have a safe & enjoyable Christmas
Simon
Proud Pa to Matilda 10, Max 12, Tara 6 & Leila 14 (born 20 mths after I joined the B&B)
Here I go out to sea again. The sunshine fills my hair
Rusty's Pitch Report: The mighty Machine Men, take a sip of their orange juice?, before celebrating the Summer Solstice with a liberating, nude swim to Shelly. The 'dismount', a coordinated maneuver where budgies are removed and hoisted around the neck whilst walking in, was interrupted by a dude wanting his wetsuit zipped up. A stretch out to the boulders, where a rogue wave and some barnacles came close to spoiling the fun. The return leg also posed some problems, where an erratic member swam straight through the 7am group, causing chaotic scenes. We went discretely wide.
There's magic everywhere
Santa appeared at the FFF, we just want 1 wave this year!. Will he be bringing them gifts or a sackful of coal?
No need to run and hide. It's a wonderful, wonderful life
Caroline's Pitch Report
20.1 out there, flat and beautiful. Sarah from Sales describes it as delightful. Gladly chose not to swim with the Machine Men today. Festivities are upon us, many strutting and parading along the promenade. Andre wins swimmer of the month, and promises another fashion show.
Royalty on the wall. The Queen, DC and 007 rocks Christmas in style.
Merman strikes at the perfect moment...
Merry Christmas to the brightest spark on the beach, the irrepressible, the amazing, Queen of the sales floor, Sarah from Sales!
Chippo's Solstice wiki: some people choose to participate in events like the 'World Naked Bike Ride' or skinny-dipping during the solstice as a form of self=expression or to connect with nature. Shedding old energies and celebrating the renewal of the sun. A festive and spiritual adventure, the rum (oops orange juice) helped.
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON TO YOU ALL! Remember don't let your true love run cold!
Rusty the Fish, Carolinebythebeach & Chippo AI
ps. the Machine Men noticed a drone at the point this morning, possibly recording the first ever sighting of the rare 'bum dolphin' fish that popped up for their viewing pleasure. Was it you Greg Cole? Looking forward to the next youtube epic post from you...
Light winds and a moderate southerly swell with a shortish period brings relative water clarity which makes swimmers, divers, snorkellers, photographers and beginner surfers happy.
Lots to see under water but first here's some swimmers coming in as I was going out (late again but wha hey I'm semi retired)
I spent quite a bit of time watching this cormorant hunting for a feed.
The usual suspects
And last but not least
What am I listening to? This is very early Skyhooks from a concert at the Sydney Opera House in 1974. This is one of the 6 songs from their first album, Living in the Seventies that was banned from radio airplay. Enjoy.
We're definitely back to the time of year where it's great one day, messy the next and for me it was not the conditions I enjoy most. With waves breaking beyond the point I headed for Shelley. We heard, then saw, that half way, at the bower wasn't a great option either.
Nice and calm at Shelley. Viz was okay, bit better than expected.
Quite a crew of us chose the Shelley option.
Lindsay, Cath, Danae, Edwina, Paloma and Monica.
Dylan and Aiden, 9 years old, swimming for the first time and said they'd be back! Good to hear.
All water shots thanks to Edwina. I did see this fiddler ray and the wobby.
Tam and Ro pleased to be out, they said it was hairer than they anticipated and Deb below ready to start the rest of her day!
Temperature was lovely, quite swelly in the bay but no bities or jellies so good on that front. All a bit rushed as I had to leave early. Then later I had to drive round to Shelley as I left my cap and googles on one of the boats, still there so safer than Manly at the moment ! I also managed to accidentally post this before I was finished so a mess all round today !
Stay cool.
Amanda
I am taking advantage of being the blogger to give feedback to swimmers who offer to help. Don't hesitateto offer help to another person if you think something is awry. I am probably a person that has had most offers of help - sometimes I am frozen in panic and sometimes I am practising aquarobics moves and it all looks the same. But I have had help from people lots of times and really appreciate it. When I don't need help I just say so and when I do need help I gratefully accept it. So, my opinion is never hesitate to offer help to someone as it is a nice thing to do
I saw these bold and beautiful swimmers
Morning and Siyabona
High temperatures in and out the water
Thanks Guy who captured this well. Beautiful Lainey and Anna show the way
14 year old Chloe on her second BnB swim flanked by BnB friends Ian, Ing, Alistair and Sally. Welcome Chloe just fantastic to have you join us !
Suzie, Clare, Penny, Brad and Derek before the swim. Particularly nice to have Brad back. He, Lucy and kids now live in S’pore. We miss the Edwards family ! His nickname is ‘One Way’ can’t think why.
Two Saffer lovelies Derek Grys Baard ( grey beard) and Kara
Some going in some coming out Bruce, Jo, Brian, Mikey and a very gorgeous happy lady whose name I don’t have sorry!
Lisa and her son Alistair out visiting from the UK. Welcome Alistair, Mum hasn’t stopped purring
Another proud and happy Mum is Ro Scog, her son Andrew ( also a swimmer and doctor at NBH ) has just completed his first iron man in WA raising funds for street medics). Well done Andrew we are in awe of this huge feat and proud of you.
And some kak praat pictures ( general chat)
First off the DX mob Coatsey,Penny, Drinks, Millie, Tim, Suzie, Chris, Kara, Kerry and Charl with flurries Wally and Rolly
Jimmy and Jon in deep reflection. Also Jimmy you busted :)
A fly past in his version of a broom stick, the lovely Capless
My bestie, beautiful Bindi
and some of my bestie WOW buddies
Edward ( Robyn’s son), Lisa, Amandakins, Mum and daughter Clare and Mon and Sooz. With Atticus the hound
Kai swam to the point today with swimming coach Linda. Kai is 11 years old. A big welcome Kai we loved seeing you and Chloe take it away for next gen swimmers !
A great swim today calm waters, bitey sea lice aside.
Overheard at the Xmas party ‘ I asked what does it take to join the WOW mob, someone said they only swim to half way’
I don’t have enough rolled eye emojis to deal out but for the record it’s just a matter of putting your bag on the wall … join in … some swim WOWs to Shelley some swim to the tree some to the pool and some dip. Depends on commitment and energy . We have all age groups. You will always have a buddy to swim with.
My heartfelt thanks to the DX and Mers for nominating Mum
for Mum as their charity for the Coles classic. We are so incredibly delighted ! We open on the NB’s so this is an exciting chapter for us and we able to support more Mums. Talking of next gen.
Have a good week and Hambe Kahle ( go well)
Di
x
Morning and Siyabona
High temperatures in and out the water
Thanks Guy who captured this well. Beautiful Lainey and Anna show the way
14 year old Chloe on her second BnB swim flanked by BnB friends Ian, Ing, Alistair and Sally. Welcome Chloe just fantastic to have you join us !
Suzie, Clare, Penny, Brad and Derek before the swim. Particularly nice to have Brad back. He, Lucy and kids now live in S’pore. We miss the Edwards family ! His nickname is ‘One Way’ can’t think why.
Two Saffer lovelies Derek Grys Baard ( grey beard) and Kara
Some going in some coming out Bruce, Jo, Brian, Mikey and a very gorgeous happy lady whose name I don’t have sorry!
Lisa and her son Alistair out visiting from the UK. Welcome Alistair, Mum hasn’t stopped purring
Another proud and happy Mum is Ro Scog, her son Andrew ( also a swimmer and doctor at NBH ) has just completed his first iron man in WA raising funds for street medics). Well done Andrew we are in awe of this huge feat and proud of you.
And some kak praat pictures ( general chat)
First off the DX mob Coatsey,Penny, Drinks, Millie, Tim, Suzie, Chris, Kara, Kerry and Charl with flurries Wally and Rolly
Jimmy and Jon in deep reflection. Also Jimmy you busted :)
A fly past in his version of a broom stick, the lovely Capless
My bestie, beautiful Bindi
and some of my bestie WOW buddies
Edward ( Robyn’s son), Lisa, Amandakins, Mum and daughter Clare and Mon and Sooz. With Atticus the hound
Kai swam to the point today with swimming coach Linda. Kai is 11 years old. A big welcome Kai we loved seeing you and Chloe take it away for next gen swimmers !
A great swim today calm waters, bitey sea lice aside.
Overheard at the Xmas party ‘ I asked what does it take to join the WOW mob, someone said they only swim to half way’
I don’t have enough rolled eye emojis to deal out but for the record it’s just a matter of putting your bag on the wall … join in … some swim WOWs to Shelley some swim to the tree some to the pool and some dip. Depends on commitment and energy . We have all age groups. You will always have a buddy to swim with.
My heartfelt thanks to the DX and Mers for nominating Mum
for Mum as their charity for the Coles classic. We are so incredibly delighted ! We open on the NB’s so this is an exciting chapter for us and we able to support more Mums. Talking of next gen.
Have a good week and Hambe Kahle ( go well)
Di
x
Another amazing B&B Christmas party was enjoyed by about 250 of us last night at Bucketys Brewery. Thanks to organisers Ian and Pauline Forster and John Kelly. Lots of money raised for Royal Far West too!
Hels, Chrissy and friends
Derek, Mark and Roger
Our ladies on the door, Ann, Pauline and Dea
Some of Drinks Express
The Gov,Alana, Victoria and Frangi
Duncan pretending to be a bouncer on the left and Tatchi and I in our sparkly dresses!
Happy Christmas everyone. Typepad playing up so sorry for late blog!
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