Pacific Jules

Night Rain – Clear Morning

If you live in Manly you probably heard the down pour last night.  At 3 am it was really coming down and still quite heavy with lightning and loud thunder at 4am.  As has happened recently, I found that the rain stops right before I leave for my daily swim. When I arrived at the beach at 6, there were very few clouds – hard to believe it had been pouring and hour ago!

The conditions were better today than Monday and Tuesday. The water was clearer but still some Rhizostoma pulmo or barrel jellyfish. I counted 14 on my swim, they are more towards the middle, so stay on the scenic route near the walkway and you should be fine.

.

A photo of the other Dawn Crackers swimming at 6 am.

The conditions over the Easter long weekend were amazing, and the duskies have been everywhere! Below are a few photos from the last week, I was one of the fortunate to see the fever of rays on 2 days – such an amazing sight. 

Link to Dusky Video

link to fever of rays video

Hard to believe it was raining a few hours ago with these skies!

Have a great day!

 

adge Collection – plus Caps and New Swimmers sign-up

Missed out on the Badge Ceremony? Never fear, on Saturday 10^th April your B&B volunteer helpers will be at the benches (100 m north of the surf club, weather permitting) from 8 am until 9 am with all the Summer Badges for collection ($10 each – cash only).

We will also have the following items on the day:

• 2020 Winter badges for sale (Covid Challenge and Ice Cold Corona) at $10 each, distance badges (500 km, 1000 km, 2000 km) and last year's summer badges - $10 each (cash only please bring the correct money)
• silicone swimming caps ready for winter - $15 each (cash only please bring the correct money)
• latex caps (free) if you have broken/lost yours or have friends/family who have just started swimming

Any new swimmers who have started swimming over the summer period are invited to sign up on the day and receive their free B&B latex cap.

If you can’t make it on the 10^th you can get your badges by mail as follows:

1. Inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope place cash for your badge/s - $10 per badge for the Covid Summer Badge (if you completed 30 swims over Summer) and an extra $10 for the Corona Super Swimmer Badge (if you completed 50 swims). The Manly-Shelly Triple badge is also available for $10. Family members/friends sharing an envelope must clearly name each swimmer and badge achieved. Please check postage rates and size of envelope required for multiple badges.

1. Post this envelope in another envelope to Ian Forster, 6 Bligh St, Northbridge. 2063.

Night Rain – Clear Morning

If you live in Manly you probably heard the down pour last night.  At 3 am it was really coming down and still quite heavy with lightning and loud thunder at 4am.  As has happened recently, I found that the rain stops right before I leave for my daily swim. When I arrived at the beach at 6, there were very few clouds – hard to believe it had been pouring and hour ago!

The conditions were better today than Monday and Tuesday. The water was clearer but still some Rhizostoma pulmo or barrel jellyfish. I counted 14 on my swim, they are more towards the middle, so stay on the scenic route near the walkway and you should be fine.

.

A photo of the other Dawn Crackers swimming at 6 am.

The conditions over the Easter long weekend were amazing, and the duskies have been everywhere! Below are a few photos from the last week, I was one of the fortunate to see the fever of rays on 2 days – such an amazing sight. 

Link to Dusky Video

link to fever of rays video

Hard to believe it was raining a few hours ago with these skies!

Have a great day!

 

adge Collection – plus Caps and New Swimmers sign-up

Missed out on the Badge Ceremony? Never fear, on Saturday 10^th April your B&B volunteer helpers will be at the benches (100 m north of the surf club, weather permitting) from 8 am until 9 am with all the Summer Badges for collection ($10 each – cash only).

We will also have the following items on the day:

• 2020 Winter badges for sale (Covid Challenge and Ice Cold Corona) at $10 each, distance badges (500 km, 1000 km, 2000 km) and last year's summer badges - $10 each (cash only please bring the correct money)
• silicone swimming caps ready for winter - $15 each (cash only please bring the correct money)
• latex caps (free) if you have broken/lost yours or have friends/family who have just started swimming

Any new swimmers who have started swimming over the summer period are invited to sign up on the day and receive their free B&B latex cap.

If you can’t make it on the 10^th you can get your badges by mail as follows:

1. Inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope place cash for your badge/s - $10 per badge for the Covid Summer Badge (if you completed 30 swims over Summer) and an extra $10 for the Corona Super Swimmer Badge (if you completed 50 swims). The Manly-Shelly Triple badge is also available for $10. Family members/friends sharing an envelope must clearly name each swimmer and badge achieved. Please check postage rates and size of envelope required for multiple badges.

1. Post this envelope in another envelope to Ian Forster, 6 Bligh St, Northbridge. 2063.

Don't do it.....

But quite a few did. I thought I might swim from Shelly today but didn't even do that. Heavy rain with big waves and large swell everywhere turned me off. I had fun watching the surf skis working out early today plus the surfers and the odd group of swimmers.

I walked to the wall to take a pic of two people meditating in the rain and found myself standing in a puddle ankle deep. Aren't they dedicated to not be bothered at all.

Under the shelter of the surf club were a small group gathering. I was told Murray went out alone, and I caught him afterwards, " not that bad" was his report, and definitley not clear or clean. He was happy , but he knows he's capable of it , unlike some of us who need calmer conditions. He tried to avoid a photo but it's nice to give credit where it's due, he's got a lovely smile too :) 

I got soaking wet, unsurprisingly, walking to the point to watch a group head out through the rip and surf at the point. The dry group were having fun watching it all from land.

This group went to halfway, there's a newbie ( !!! ) called Levy and Suzanne came from Avalon, gosh people are good aren't they. Or something maybe....Levy is second on the left, Suzanne second on the right. 

Elaine took these pics from halfway and in the water. gosh and wow....

Happy Birthday for tomorrow Suzanne

Getting ready to head out

Off they go and yes they all came back

Then another group went, including a strong little lady.

They all returned too. This is what happened to the concrete where the temperature normally gets recorded:

The beach signs went up

Photos don't do it justice

Yesterday afternoon as I walked past

Not sure what their thoughts were afterwards, some said it was scary, some reported having to hold your breath waiting for the white wash to let you back up for air, some said brown water at Shelly, and others reported a big rip in the bay!

Found in male change rooms, not by me, please comment below if it's yours.

Notices:

2021 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 28^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 Old School Yard at  19-21 Sth Steyne  (opposite the beach) on Sunday 28^th March, at 8 am. 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:

 

Covid Summer Badge

Corona Super Swimmer Badge

Triple Badge

Ok, stay safe on the roads everyone and in the water. Swim to capabilities, Edwina.

Good Morning!

Today's blog is a dry blog as my skin is still healing from the chafing it got during a long swim last weekend. Feeling very vitamin sea deprived, I'm sure you can sympathise. 

Here is Lainey and Ted's sweet Tibetan Spaniel Freddy in canine anticipation of a treat

Scary close-up, glad Veena thinks it's funny

Veena with buff tattooed bloke in the middle ground

Discussing conditions with the lifeguard

Shelley, Jacqui and Roger

Bruce and co with new swimmer (Max?) on the right

This lovely lady and I had a blog off. Aren't you glad I'm blogging because then you get a photo of her and not me!

The A team

This started off as a photo of a couple of people......

My Yoga teacher would tell this man to rotate his upper arms inward to stop his shoulders from bunching, and to levelise his hips (he uses this word all the time and he's very articulate but I'm not convinced it's a word)

When auto focus doesn't work

Kara

Heading out

Close call

Some shots from the walkway

Exiting the water

Quite close to the rocks

I heard the exit was challenging

Elizabeth observing the arm

Jo made it out

So did Jacqui and Melise

Bindi waiting intently for Derek's return. They are on patrol at Manly this morning

And now...... a word from Management

Connecting Country Kids to Life-changing Care: Live Crowdfunding Event – FREE to register and attend. March 25^th

Join Royal Far West for an evening of storytelling, and help us raise $100,000 for country kids.

About this Event

Hosted by radio personality James Valentine, hear first hand from our frontline staff, teachers and families about the important work being done by Royal Far West to support country children and families

Link to register and more info : https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/connecting-country-kids-to-life-changing-care-live-crowdfunding-event-tickets-137356090765

 Have a lovely weekend!

Swimming Continuity Plans

My arrival at Manly at 6:20 was met with reports of bluebottles.  A quick walk to the water's edge and I saw and then heard the pop of bluebottles as someone ran past.  There was much discussion about where to swim.  Some people chose to swim north, others chose the harbour.  After some period of indecision, we chose the Bold and Beautiful Biathlon (A walk to shelly and a swim) as coined by Ian on our 'walk of shame' to Shelly.  The water was warm, the vis was great, shame about the blueys.

The 6:30 crew deciding where to swim...

This group's Swimming Continuity Plan meant going North (Stinger Special)

We made our way to Shelly.  On the way Petra retrieved a bottle from bay, not only removing plastic from our Sea, but also a blue bottle tail wrapped around it - 2 for 1!

Some Bluey's at Bower....The continuity plan of half way not looking good.

We decided to join these swimmers and swim around shelly.

It was Michele and Harvie's birthday today. Michele swam from Manly to Shelly and back, they had a little run in with a jimble or bluebottle, they weren't sure. Michelle did get a birthday gift of some Dusky sightings. 

 Despite the bluebottles today the conditions have been wonderful the last few days - with warm, clear water and a lot of dusky and cuttlefish sightings. I captured the below photos yesterday.  

 

Hope you had a good swim. Will you employ the same Swimming Continuity Plan next time? Or will you update it and try something different?    

 

 

A new day

I love sunrises. They are a reminder that each day is an opportunity it make a fresh start, to have a positive impact – to start something new.  A new year is similar – an opportunity to reflect on the year that has been and decide what your direction or goals will be for the new year.  When I reflect on what I was doing a year ago, I see how different things are now. COVID was just starting to have an impact on our lives and by April I was no longer working.  I took the opportunity of a break in employment to focus on my family and swimming. I decided to swim everyday in the ocean until I went back to work.  I made it to 101 consecutive days.  I know for many of you that is a drop in the bucket, but for me, an average week was 3 swims, a good week was 4. Even though I started a new job in September, I have kept swimming, I learned to carve out that time for me.  This year I plan to swim 1000 km, what are your swimming goals?

Today the conditions were beautiful, small swell and decent visibility. Below are some photos from the day.

The light was just right for this early ray

A Numb ray 

Here are five interesting facts about them:

1. These strange rays can grow up to 60 cm long, but are usually about 40 cm long.
2. They are ambush predators, hiding underneath the sand and attacking very quickly.  They electrocute their prey and then swallow it whole.  They are not considered dangerous to people, but if you touch one with your hand, the shock will make your hand go numb.
3. They are also called coffin rays as they are able to stretch their mouth to swallow very large prey.  When they have a large victim in their stomach it gives them a boxy look like a coffin.  They mostly eat fish, but have also been found with =rats and even little penguins in their stomach.  Sometimes, they try to eat prey so big that they choke on it.
4. At breeding time, females give birth to 4-8 live pups which are about 11 cm long.
5. Numb rays can be found in shallow water near the west, south and east coasts of Australia.

Have a beautiful day!

Alana

 

Covid has brought with it many changes for everyone all around the world and B&B is no exception.

Whilst we have lots to be extremely grateful for in Australia and within B&B, a number of our swimmers have been personally affected and are experiencing challenging times.

In response to this it was suggested that some swimmers might like to support their fellow swimmers, by utilising their skills where they could.  

As such, within our daily attendance software we have included a ‘profession section’.  Swimmers can now, should they choose, list their profession and location within their profile on our website.  This then allows anybody within our B&B community to: ‘Check with B&B First’ when looking for a resource / tradesperson to use.

If you would like to participate in this, please go to our B&B daily attendance website: webapp.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au 

Click on your name, top right.  Then click on ‘my profession’ and add your details.

To search if a fellow B&B swimmer has the skills you’re looking to use, click on your name, top right, then ‘Find a professional’.  

Don’t forget to keep on logging your swims too.

You don’t want to miss out on your Covid Summer Badge or your Corona Super Swimmer Summer Badge.  You might be awarded a Budgy Smuggler Voucher as the lucky recipient of random swimmer of the month or year.  Most importantly it’s lovely to see who has swim each day.  Don’t forget, if you can’t swim at Manly, you can still log a Covid Swim. 

Please keeping swimming, look after yourselves and stay connected.

Disclaimer:  

Bold & Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Manly Pty Ltd (“B&B”).  B&B allows members to record their names and photos on the B&B website. At the request of some of the swimmers B&B is permitting swimmers to record on its website their names and details of their occupations.

 

If anyone, after obtaining any swimmers details from the B&B website and uses those swimmers services or products, they do so without any endorsement or recommendation from B&B. Also they do so at their own risk and acknowledge that B&B has no responsibility for any products and services that might be provided by B&B swimmers.

Thursday 4 February - Blue Skies Shining on Me

A test for the competitive ones amongst us. What is missing from this photo? A little hint for the slower risers this morning. Swimmers. The few who ventured in were severely stung by bluebottles so most of us, like me, opted for coffee. While the more adventurous like Drinksy and the A team opted for the harbour.

Times like these remind me of Rumi from the Guest House.

‘Be grateful for whoever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.'

So, I ask, as you probably are, how can I be grateful for bluebottles and what message from beyond are they echoing? For me I am grateful for the company of Bruce and Bones Boylan in enjoying blueberries on my porridge at Bluewater– there are two blues there. And for the message? You can ask the same question and get different answers.

I like to think of answers that are happy for me and useful to others. When the Dalai Lama was asked ‘What is the secret to life?’ He answered, ‘Be happy and useful.’ No need for a retreat in Tibet to get the wisdom of that. Blue can mean feeling down and flat, or it can mean the boundless sky and ocean that you only have to open your eyes to enjoy. As Wayne Dyer said  ‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’

And blue reminds me too of my Dad’s favourite song, Blue Skies, I can hear Frank Sinatra now:

Blue skies smiling at me

Nothing but blue skies do I see

Blue birds singing a song

Nothing but blue skies from now on

Never saw the sun shining so bright

Never saw things going so right

 

When life gives you bluebottles, think blue skies.

Have a bright blue day folks.

Pete Anthony

The Cole Classic and Sun Run are back for 2021!
This year, if you’re taking part in the event, you can choose to fund raise for Royal Far West, our local charity, which is supported by Bold and the Beautiful throughout the year. By choosing Royal Far West, you’ll be helping to raise funds to help vulnerable country kids access the specialist developmental and mental healthcare services they urgently need.

To find out more or to register, visit: http://rfw.care/EZoP50Df76W
If running is more your thing, you can also fund raise for Royal Far West in the 10km Sun Run from Manly to Dee Why on Saturday 6 February.   
However you choose to fund raise, we’d love to have your support!

MAGIC MIKE MEETS MANLY

Click the link below for Sunday’s vlog 

 

 

Fabulous summertime conditions continue

We really have been blessed with superb conditions lately - despite some significant dumps of rain, the water in CTB has been very clear for summer with days of excellent visibility. The swell has some East in it today and this means less visibility on account of more chop and churning of the sand.



Still, no one can complain about the water temps

Here's aunty-niece duo Lisa and Alice in matching cossies designed by fellow WoW, Georgina

Lots going on in and on the water today

Here's some budgy smuggler product placement

A good time was being had by all

This is a slightly failed attempt at artiness - a photo of nothing in particular

Little fish at Manly Point

And a big blue groper at the Point. It blows my mind that this fish is over 20 years old (they transition to male at around 18 and just keep growing). Not the best shot in the milky water but I like the light on its fin

Went octopus searching and found my little mate. I like this occy lots but doubt the feeling's mutual

Each time I've seen it this fan bellied leatherjacket has been around. I wonder what the nature of the relationship is

This is another octopus from yesterday

Spotted an even bigger groper at the boulders. This one's been in a few battles it seems - so many scars

A few people were trying to give him pats. I told them why this was not a good idea. Beside the fact that we swim in a marine reserve where touching the wildlife is not allowed, here are some other reasons why we just shouldn't.

FIVE REASONS NOT TO TOUCH MARINE WILDLIFE

Looking at my watch I realised I had to get a move on if I wanted to get out of the car park before my 2 hours were up (I didn't make it ).

Spotted David C and my patrol captain Ian. We're on patrol at Dee Why tomorrow afternoon, come and say hi.

And finally here's Bindi with a cloud over her head. Hard night last night, girl or is it a thought bubble?

What am I reading? I  had the public holidays off the past few weeks but I still have a little way to go with Permanent Record (my holiday regime was heavy on naps, cricket and snacks), and have a very satisfying pile of books waiting for me after this one.

For a reason I just don't understand, this piece of music has become an ear worm for me

Stay safe, stay clean, swim between the flags and put on sunscreen

Cloudy, humid, rumours of blueys - it must be summer.

Quite muggy this morning, a change from yesterday's sunshine - it seems the weather person is getting it right.

Shaun and Veena - Veena said there was so much seaweed in the shallows that she struggled to get her flippers off. Note to self, there seems to be less weed at the flags. Speaking of which, it's good to see that the flags are up again. Just an aged clubby perspective - the presence of the flags is minimising the risk of swimmer-boardrider collisions and ensuing injury.

Our very own red dog Bindi ,with Freddy lurking in the background

Lainey and Ros

Beautiful Helen happily demonstrating a correct sunscreen application procedure 

Shelley looking stunning

Martin, Michele and Annie

In the water

It's OK, he could stand

Carolyn and Ruth

They'd heard of blueys near the pool and had swum very wide. 

Carolyn said they were this big

Not drowning, waving

A kind stranger offered to take my photo

Very little to see under water today so here's something I prepared earlier

Here's the lovely Cath and lovely daughter Ruby about to brave the blueys - hope they didn't get you!

Back on shore with Lyndall, Mary, Rainer and part of Lyndall's doggo

 

What am I reading?

Cath lent me Permanent Record by Edward Snowden back in July. Well written and thought provoking. I have a very satisfying backlog of books for when I've finished this one. I'm about to get back into it now, with the cricket in the background.

Here's something a bit different to listen to

Management notices

SUMMER BADGES - Summer: 1st Dec - 28th Feb

Due to government restrictions, this summer we will not be organising 6km or 10km swims or badges. Instead... we are offering the following badges:

• Triple Manly to Shelly- swim 3x laps of Manly to Shelly Beach and back, any day during summer - distance 3.5km
• Covid Summer Challenge- swim 30 times over 7 different weeks of summer
• Corona Super Swimmer- swim 50 times over summer

You will earn and be eligible for any / all of these badge if you complete these swims and log them in i-Log

As for the winter swims, you can swim anywhere at any time to qualify, but if you don’t swim at Manly, you must log a Covid Challenge Swim

A taste of summer

Hot already at 7.30 - the water might be the place to hang out today.  Many people had already swum or were about to. Water temp was 20.8 but felt like 21

I don't think Colby was getting a swim but he was excited to see all his friends.

 

Inez and friends. The one in a dress whose name I unfortunately can't remember has come all the way from Mudgee

The gathering of the wows

Shower scene

 

Lots of happy blog tarts

including some merfolk. The inability to remember names continues

and other swimmers

product placement

guess who

The visibility was so poor I was reduced to photographing seaweed. Can you spot the seahorse in the photo?

Just when I thought all was lost I spotted six moonfish. They are everywhere if you know where to look

Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay safe today and tomorrow.

A couple of messages while you are here:

(Not so) Amazingly, our Christmas Dinner (8th December) has sold out in just one week. To be added to the waitlist, please email Ian at ugoboyo@gmail.com. 

 

New Swimmers sign-up, Caps and Badges

On Saturday 28th November your B&B volunteer helpers will be at the benches (100 m north of the surf club, weather permitting) from 8 am until 9 am with a sign-up sheet for anyone who wants to sign up and start logging their swims. Remember, to be eligible for the Summer Badges, you will need to log your swims. Any new swimmers who have started swimming over the winter period are invited to sign up and get their free B&B latex cap.

In addition, if you haven’t got your winter badges yet, we will have a supply of this year’s winter badges for sale (Covid Challenge and Ice Cold Corona) at $10 each. We will also have the following items: 

• Silicone swimming caps ready for winter - $15 each  (cash only please bring the correct money)

• Latex caps (free) if you have broken/lost yours or have friends/family who have just started swimming

 

Summer swims, caps and badges:

Due to government restrictions, this summer we will not be organising 6km or 10km swims or badges. Instead... we are offering the following badges:

• Triple Manly to Shelly - swim 3x laps of Manly to Shelly Beach and back, any day during summer - distance 3.5km

• Covid Summer Challenge - swim 30 times over 7 different weeks of summer 

• Corona Super Swimmer - swim 50 times over summer (check out the badge below)!

• I asked Ian this morning and he confirmed that any swim anywhere counts, but if it's a COVID swim you only clock up 19 metres

* Summer: 1st Dec - 28th Feb

You will earn and be eligible for any / all of these badges if you complete these swims and log them in i-Log

  

What am I listening to? Last night I watched American Utopia in a cinema. It's the footage of a David Byrne concert directed by him and Spike Lee. Here's a bit of it.

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Lt

 

You will earn and be eligible for any / all of these badges if you complete these swims and log them in i-Log

  

What am I listening to? Last night I watched American Utopia in a cinema. It's the footage of a David Byrne concert directed by him and Spike Lee. Here's a bit of it.