Pacific Jules

Wednesday 24th July - the return of the Upwelling!

Wednesday 24th July - the week the upwelling made a triumphant return to Manly after a year or so away  - testing our resilience, our mind set, and our bravery (or craziness)... also, upwelling sounds a little like a horror movie, and for some, it probably felt like it as we battled through gritted teeth, numb limbs (and other body parts) and "ice cream" headaches to achieve the coveted Winter Without Wetsuit badge... that said, a few more "blue stars" are appearing in the daily attendance...   the upwelling has, perhaps, influenced decisions to finally feel the need for Neoprene..

todays conditions:

water temperature:  a balmy 15 degrees  - has the "downwelling" started already?  

air temperature at 7am: 5.9 degrees

conditions:  flat, liquid gold as the sun made its daily appearance

vibe:  to neoprene or not to neoprene?

What causes upwelling?   Guy summarised it beautifully on yesterdays temperature story.   Aside from the persistent (and on saturday Pesky) strong howling North (ish) Westerlies, here are a few more fun facts (courtesy of the inter web unaffected by Crowdstrike, corroborated with other interweb information from sources such as CSIRO, national geographic and the NOAA):

• The deflection of water to the left of the wind (in the southern hemisphere) away from the shoreline is due to the Coriolis effect, and "objects" travelling in a straight line appear to curve, or deflect, due to the rotation of the Earth
• the water rising to the surface during upwelling is rich in nutrients, having travelled all the way from the deep sea floor.  Therefore we can expect an abundance of sea life feasting on the buffet from the deep (and associated food chains)!
• the East Coast of Australia is known "upwelling zone", near the separation point of the East Coast Current
• northwards migration patterns of whales (and tuna!) normally match the timing of upwelling events (ie in winter when cold westerlies/ north westerlies/south westerlies prevail)
• the most predictable region for Upwelling in Australia is the Bonney coast - between Cape Jaffa in SA and Portland in VIC
• the west coast of Australia rarely experiences upwelling due to the south pole bound Leeuwin current 
• Peru has one of the most fertile ecosystems (25,900 square km of coastline) thanks to persistent upwelling, and one of the richest fishing grounds in the world as a result (which in itself causes other issues around over fishing, however thats not for this blog)
• the famous sea fog in san francisco is caused by seasonal (summer) upwelling, where cold water cools the air, creating the spectacular sea fog, and chilly summer mornings!  
• the opposite of upwelling is of course downwelling, where breeze pushes warmer water onto the shore, relegating the cold, oxygen and nutrient rich water back to the deep to feed other creatures and matter of the deep

The benefits of cold water immersion have been shared widely on various B&B pages... so, enter the water with a huge smile, dive into the liquid gold, rich, energising ocean, enjoy the invigorating, energising cold water therapy with the incentive of a hot shower (its only 20c - plus membership of course :) !), hot coffee (or tea or beverage of choice), fireball and the warmth of the friendship and cameraderie of our wonderful adventurous community!

swimmers today were all smiles after diving, sans neoprene, into the liquid gold for an infusion of vitamin sea:

Even Buddy was sans "overcoat" today, peferring to soak up the apricity..

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

jocelyn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love is the Answer

Orange, blue, sharp lines, gathering crowds. The boys on the bench chatter.

if you choose, choose to be happy....

Cold hands, warm hearts today. I'm sure it's warmer in the water than when Guy measures at 2am.

The 6am crazies. Flashes of Phosphorescence from the point. Clear skies still full of stars. We talk nautical dawn, an optimistic take on a pitch black night.

Frangi picks out his beanie based on the emerging sky colour. Or is it the other way around. With his hand suspiciously in his bag, he tried to convince everyone that the waves are 2-4 foot. I'm petitioning Sarah from Sales to admit Jon as a badge caring Sales Team member with his optimistic mindset.

Caroline's pitch report

Clear horizon, stunning views. 2 weeks ago we were at 17.2C. We still got in. Swimmers ask if it's warm around the point. we all think it is, but we also can't feel our toes. Sightings of a grey nurse around the shed. Viz is actually quite good, can see the entire way. 

My favourite folk guitarist, the Fonz, has admitted Sunday night Music with the Fonz may be coming back. Lara looks on in disbelief at this exceptional news. 

The baker does a little dance. The terminator has something funny in his hot water flask. 

I've lost my swim buddy, one of the usually reliable Machine Men (most of us, including me, are like a madman in a porcelain shop so reliability is not that high) who has disappeared and deflected and talks of holding his breath for 5 minutes. 7am regroup lads Saturday. Messages of Deadmans adventures. Half of them are probably battling Crowdstrike blue screens, being masters of the universe. oh... and just in, Faahany reports a massive wobby on the boulders and PJs off the shed. Who swims at 8am Faahany? seriously I'm reporting you to your boss in Holland ....

l

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

 

Rusty the Fish & carolinebythebeach

and now it's 4pm Friday afternoon, the week is almost over, the night is yet young, a song to get you into the groove, and for some of the special people on the wall I've found the answer to life's hiccups. Turn this up, take a couple of deep breaths and take a leap of faith...

 

Fri 5th - Only shooting stars break the mold

2 weeks on from the greatest swim of the year, we return to Shelly. A roaring southerly wind whips us, glad we're not naked this time. No pagan orgy either. I forget my towel. The 6am swimming headlights head back to Manly as we arrive. Still dark, no-one here, (didn't the dinghys get removed?), and we are missing the Capless cafe.....

Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming

Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running

I correspond with Guy. His thermometer is definitely broken. He assures me that 'it felt positively balmy on my legs this morning..15s are still a way off' ... yeah 600m off, it's like Tasmania at Shelly

Hey, now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play

Hey, now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid

Caroline's Pitch Report:
17.2 it's cloudy. It's dark. South Steyne is heaving. Take your pick. Plenty of swimmers about. Water movement all over the bay. Frangi says his standard 2-4 foot waves. Can't see anything in the dark.

Fingerbone has a romantic moment in the shower with some Drinks Express legends

and today's controversy ... Caroline has been caught artificially enhancing her speed by shoving lots of small fish down her bathers. Fast ones too. Didn't actually ask where they went, but word on the street is that a special DX committee meeting may be needed to sort out. I've offered to supply some homemade rum for the spectacle. 

Two the potential judges, Sneaky and Perky, do a deal. Caroline may be back to the bog roll swim for a period of time (hope that bull shark we saw Caroline has moved on!)

The baker pours his water off the wall. He rarely checks if anyone is sitting below, but softens the blow by offering cake.

The reward... a very large coffee and a fire...

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

Rusty the Fish & Carolinebythebeach & The Waffler

 

Meanwhile down in Tasmania, a real Machine Men moment. Stealthy has a refreshing swim  after torturing one of his children by trekking across Tasmania in the snow. (note Machine Men don't wear wetsuits, we're tough.. except for Faahany who's soft... and Rubberman but he's has an excuse he's English)

this song is for you Stealthy:

 

 

Wednesday 3rd July - Orange and black: orange skies and the black puffer!

Wednesday 3rd July -   Few swimmers dragged themselves (or was that joyfully leapt?) out of warm beds today - however those who braved the arctic vortex were rewarded.  After a cold, rainy, wintery pre dawn, the clouds parted as though on cue at 7am to reveal a bright orange ball of light and energy, painting the clouds fifty shades of orange.   

water temp: 17.4 degrees

air temp at 7am:  a balmy 7.7 degrees!  

conditions:   the ocean slightly stirring, milky, perhaps giving our cuttlefish and Port Jackson sharks some rare privacy whilst they continue their "familiarisation" underwater.... 

Vibe:  chilled... literally! 

Today the farshun garment of choice appeared to be a black puffer jacket (of course the odd splash of colour could be seen!).  Perhaps a result of the end of financial year sale bargains?  Perhaps because black matches pretty much everything?     Or, perhaps to warm up those brave souls who brave the ocean in winter, with or without a wetsuit (its week 6 for those counting the weeks until they complete 20 swims in 7 weeks, bag the coveted WWW badge and shimmy back into neoprene!).     

If you ARE on the hunt for a puffer jacket, bargains galore to be found.  A few helpful hints:

1)    Synthetic (ideally recycled) zips withstand the salty seaside air and water much better than alternatives, even stainless steel needs a good clean every now and again. 

2) warm hand pockets, ideally located near the hips, are essential for those  who forget or dont wear gloves, or a handy place to hide those handwarmers! 

3) syhthetic (ideally recycled like Patagonia brand) insulation these days is as warm as down, and withstands exposure to salty air and water a lot better.   Ideally some water repellancy or water proofing on the jacket fabric will help you stay dry whilst you are waiting in the coffee line!

4) hoods not only keep your head warm (in the absence of a beanie); they protect against unwanted "swim cap hair" photos!

Here are some of the high farshun on display today:  warm, dry and stylish!

Rebels in colour!   Helen (visiting for the first time!) saw a Port Jackson Shark straight away!  

Coco and walter preferred colours today - kind of matching the shades of sky? 

Its hump day - mid week in (nearly) mid winter.  Stay warm, look out for and after each other, spread kindness always and have a wonderful wednesday! 

Jocelyn

 

PSA - if you havent seen the ad on the B&B facebook page, check out the new hoodies, and also details of the next B&B Tuesday night gathering!  and a new monthly event at the wharf bar, details below:

NEW EVENT - B&B Meat Raffle at The Wharf Bar

Felons Brewing - the new owners of the Wharf Bar have generously offered to run a monthly meat raffle at the Wharfy every first Sunday at 12 noon to 2.30 pm. All proceeds of the raffle will be donated to the B&B to assist with our ongoing operating costs and fundraising program.

So, we are inviting all B&B swimmers to assemble at the Wharf Bar every first Sunday to meet and mingle with your fellow swimmers in a very pleasant social setting. And don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets and support the B&B. Next raffle is on Sunday 7 July. Hope to see you all there. Please drink responsibly. 

 

 

Monday 1st July 2024 Jen liked this photo on a sunny but cold morning

Jen said, “I like this shot”.

( Typepad still not working so I’ve posted the blog on the B&B Facebook page)

Facebook B&B blog

B&B Blog 

Monday 1st July 2024 Jen liked this photo on a sunny but cold morning 

 

( Typepad still not working so I’ve posted the blog on the B&B Facebook page)

Jen said she like this photo.

So I’ll add three more Jen shots.

5.53 stars.

I swam north coach Brett’s 6.01 squad.

(Session - sprints to the trident& return counting our strokes 200, 150, 100, 50, 200, 150, 100, 50).

[email protected].

B&B management & 6.45.

Hot & cold bootie.

Andre’s socks.

Robbie & Jo warmed up@ roller door 

Kylie & Charlie.

Gary Kara & big sister.

3 wise men.

Keeping warm.

Barb & friend Post-swim smiles.

On her phone.

4 wet-suit carriers.

More post-swim smiles.

16.9 degrees (mostly cold with a few warm patches).

A Louise hug.

 

Enjoy. Stay safe.

 

Simon