Pacific Jules

Monday 29th April 2024 - Jen’s sunrise shot

I swam @6am with Jen Sam & Trish

Trio

Riddo

James’ crew

Jeff

Tall


Smiles

Sarg

Fit

Magic


Bishop


Kylie x 2



I’m in Jen’s sunrise shot

Have a safe and enjoyable day

Simon

 

Her goodbyes sure were sweet

Taipan challenges everyone to breathe through your nose with your tongue out!

A rising sun just stole my girl away. A setting moon. Yellow tail off the shed

Reports of a gigantic swell, but really just a surge. Up the beach I found some parts of the promise.

No-one out a 6. An hour later a much different story.

Trooper back from the US. Blocky has taken his energy pill

No rubber allowed in the FFF. Where is rubberman Will today? Last saw him with a bottle of Captain Morgan after the ANZAC swim so maybe a late start?

Dr Shanny reads us men the riot act, even on crutches. A flasher was seen on the beach (Chippo?) and Shanny and Sarge relayed the inevitable conclusion.

A Rat victory. Guy holds out we will get them next time! A chill in the air. Puffers and rubber are out of the wardrobe.

Sarah from Sales pitch report:

Flat, fish and fine. Giant cuttlefish are in the bay. Loads of yellowtail. 

Faahany & Special K looped the bay, and finished with a caramel slice. 

Caroline's Pitch Report:

Rule of 3. Three Karas + Three Blondes. The Triplets. The Three Amigos. Powerpuff Girls. The Three Busketeers. Three Little Pigs. The Three Witches Plotting. Someone buy them coffee quick!

Heading to the South of France for the winter. Bon Voyage Nikki!

Happy birthday to Queen Vic and Jonothan! Congrats to Sue Marinan for breaking through 8000kms. 

Thanks for the swim & coffee & caramel slice Team. Remember don't let your true love run cold!

 

Cheers Carolinebythebeach & Rusty the Fish

and remember Stealthy don't wear your headband on upside down...

 

A Day To Remember

25 April is the day we officially remember the Australian and New Zealand humans who went to war. Starting with the original ANZACs sent to Gallipoli. We can keep the memories of the OGs (I don't think that is disrespectful) and the others alive by thinking of them at any time if we wish.

It got me wondering what prompted the ANZACs of WWI to go and whether they really knew what they were going to. Were they conscripted? Did they go for the pay? Out of patriotism? So as not to be thought a coward and to avoid the dreaded white feather? For adventure? That got me thinking of my old friend Mr Herbert Clarence Poulton, a lovely Cockney gentleman I knew in the late 60s and very early 70s. He was one of our neighbours and I walked his dog when I was a kid. He was a very patriotic Englishman as well as having adopted Australia as his home. He had enlisted in WWI in around 1916 and lied about his age. He was 15 years old - can you imagine? He had experiences he never would have if not for the war. He used to tell me about adventures and fun times in places like Paris and Vladivostok, but spared me stories about active combat. When I knew him I though he was Really Old but he would have been 70, maybe. That's just one story out of the multitudes. 

I personally am grateful to have never lived in an active war zones. Many of us have family who have (they tell us we're soft) and it's telling that mostly they won't talk about it.

 

Anne E rocked an Aussie Cossie to show respect for the occasion.

Shaun is smashing his recovery, surgeon is amazed.

Guy's magnificent contribution.

As is our tradition (can we call it that?) a short service / ceremony was held, with a huge attendance. 

Lainey prepping her gear

Viz was ordinary as you can see.

But I managed to see this lovely bloke and spent quite a bit of time in his company

Which meant I missed the majority of the returning swimmers.

And just like that things are back to normal, except for the hole in the wall cafe doing a roaring trade.

What am I listening to?

Here's an old bloke singing about love and war.

 

Wednesday 24th April - its all about the "Merch"!

Wednesday 24th April started with a brilliant sky show of shades of red, orange, yellow and calming, energising golden light....  and then the cloak of clouds morphed into 50 shades of grey.....  i wonder what the red sky in the morning will bring us today?  the old saying - red sky in the morning, sailors/swimmers/shepherds warning?  

Nothing could dampen the enthusiasm today - perhaps energised by all the golden light?

water temp:  21.4 degrees

air temp:  20.7 degrees (where is the autumn chill?)

Conditions: calm, a little cloudy

vibe:  enthusiastic!

speaking of enthusiastic, Merch was on full display today:

Drinks Express

Cole Classic

Bold & Beautiful 

Hayley rocking merch ! 

Gorgeous George plays with gorgeous Gertie, and, getting in on the "merch" act proudly wears his harness, made by an animal welfare charity in Victoria!

speaking of Merch, and ocean swims,  one of the final swims of the season is on this sunday, the South Curly Classic - im not sure if Merch will be available however the current forecast suggest the weather gods are on our side for a beautiful swim!  Linky thing here if you would like to enter and support a fellow Southern Northern beaches surf club!  And a fabulous opportunity to swim along the rock ledges between curly and freshie supported by water safety!  

https://oceanswims.com/event/south-curl-curl-ocean-swim/

 

 

And another reminder of Anzac day commemorations tomorrow, one of Australia and New Zealands most significant days of rememberance:    Lanterns will light up the ramp at dawn recognising & commemorating Manly Life Saving club members who have served/serve, a short commemoration at 7am for B&B, and a service at 9am in the Manly Surf lifesaving club.   Lest we forget.

as always, be safe, stay kind, look out for and after each other, have fun and have a wonderful Wednesday!

Jocelyn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23/04/2024 - Cuttlefish and a Turtle :-)

 

Such a magical swim today. It was calm and clear with so much marine life including mesmerising Giant Cuttlefish and Teddy the turtle!

Bibi, Robby and I stayed with this Cuttlefish for half an hour this morning watching it change colour and texture. The great thing about Cuttlefish is they seem completely unfazed by us swimmers! It's amazing when they swim over that greenest of green sea grass!

Teddy was in a different spot today and teased us by looking like he was going to swim to the surface but staying on the ocean floor...

Swimmers at Shelly

Get in the water if you can...sooo good at the moment!

Lainey  xx

Friday 19 April 2024 Siren Call

What calls you to the beach for a swim? The sight of the sky and wide horizon of the sea? The beautiful swim activity itself? Swimming with others or the underwater life? Whatever it is, it calls loudly to each one of us who showed up today.

Tully and Audrey on school holidays ! what better thing to do?  

I went in to the swim with the 630am. It was like a casual jumping in to the pool with Olympics racers. No problem, a few strokes and they were gone!

 

A couple of close ups

Summer Badge Collection 2024

Congratulations to all those who completed summer swimming challenges. If you missed the official Badge Ceremony on 24 March, there are still two ways you can obtain your badge(s)

1. See Ian at the desk any day of the week before 7 am with cash ($10 per badge).
2. Come along on Saturday 6^th April when Ian and Anne will be at the desk outside the surf club between 8 and 8.30 am with all the badges, including past summer and winter badges, and all distance badges. Cash or credit card will be accepted on this date.

If you missed out on your summer badges, start training now for the winter challenge, commencing 1^st June. Happy swimming.

 

Opaque, blurry and green with a touch of yellowtail and.......

Those were the words used to describe the conditions today. The swell was kinder than yesterday's but was still some fun / challenge to be had heading out

7 O'Clock!

Super athlete Merrilee back from The Aussies, missed a gold by a fingernail

Napoleon reasserting his top dog status after a holiday down the South Coast.

It rained briefly and we saw lightning on the horizon

The turtle wasn't coming up to the surface, so Merrilee gave him some technique tips. Lainey waited patiently and was and as always patience is its own reward.

This is an indication of the (lack of) clarity even near Shelly

Michelle, Banjo and Bowie are heading off for 6 months of van life today. Safe travels and have a fabulous time!!

What am I listening to? I think this is very apt - we are indeed lucky to be able to swim in this wonderful place. Have a good one!

Batty swim joy

Siyabona ( I see you) 

I love this greeting, a reminder to actually look at someone in the eyes and say hello, see them. 

Today is apparently bat appreciation day. We celebrate our lovely bat mates. I love anything that eats mozzies personally. And who isn’t just a tad batty. 



The early morning beach scene thanks Em 

The spectacular sunrise thanks Jonny 

Wendy Lisa and Clare with Bruce in the background getting ready for the 7 am swim - editorial skills limited so stretch like a bat for a side viewing of this delightful quartet and others below 

These lovely guys are part of the 6.30 swimmers were already home and dry, DX caps and all. 

Driver, Radox and Manus ( don’t ask me, ask Phinny about the nicknames or if you also want one #batty) 

Ian, Clare Hels and Sally 

Hels has a batty moment 

After swim chatty joy 

Deb GG and Em with Buddy 
Will and Matt

Dennis Hugh and Robbie 

Bowie is 6 months who can believe that, well done Mama Michelle and Hambe Kahle on your travels. 

Thanks to all the photographers who took pics for me today.

This is the last blog from Aus, the rest will be from our travels abroad. 
I’ll try to keep up with blogs from different locations and swims. 

Meanwhile we ‘gone fishing’ for a while. 

Hambe Kahle ( go well and safely) 

Di

x

See Ian at the welcome desk for badges in the am. Also for the latest Dad jokes. 

 

16/04/2024 - Some swam with Dolphins :-)

This was Silky, the lone dolphin who swam with us back in 2013 but... a lot of the Drinks Express swimmers swam this close to dolphins early this morning! Suzie said there were 5 of them including a Mum and bub. It was a stunning morning today with an amber, glowing sunrise and warm air and water temps :-)

A beautiful morning to be swimming, walking or doing free beach pilates or yoga too. How lucky are we living in Manly...

Some of the swimmers that swam with dolphins out near the Bower surf break at 6.45am

It was Fiona's birthday today and Di baked an amazing carrot cake and Lisa a delicious slice.

Happy Birthday Fi!

Visibility was much better over Shelly side of the bay and Teddy was munching on sea grass. I've cropped photos of Teddy as not this close.

Gary the Groper came very close to us though. I was out showing my brother Martin our amazing marine life :-)

Disappointing to see a boat anchored very close to the sea grass near the Bower surf break. According to divers they were anchored in less than 8 metre water which is illegal. Such a risk to our octopus gardens and turtle eating grounds too...

A bit blurry but the kindest guys in Manly before their swim, Derek and Sheena :-)

Have a great day folks x

Lainey

 

Monday 15th April 2024 / The sun rose twice

No words, Drinky!

I swam with this 6am crew

 

Welcome Roarke & Riley with mum Bronwen from Johannesburg.

Owing to the cloud layer on the horizon, the sun appeared rise twice.



Sally (right) and her swimming buddies.


Did Caroline beat Jon?

Roberto & Nick swam north.

Mary & her buddies

John & Bonnie

The boy from the Bush is back in town


Congratulations Jon on your silver podium swim

Stay save and enjoy you day

Simon 

(with my 6am crew)