Once again, we are reporting from the post-Mardi Gras ocean swim festivities at Manly’s iconic South Steyne.
The 5th Pink Pride parade has been developed around the theme Kaleidoscope, to reflect the idea that people come in different shapes, colours and forms.
5th Pink Pride Parade: The numbers
- Water temp: 21.5
- 6 floats (mostly foam boards)
- 154 people in parade
- 400 kilograms of glitter
- 5th anniversary
- 7am kick off
- 0 people received medical treatment in 2014
- 0 charged with drug possession at 2014 after party
- 0 people arrested in 2014
- 0 arrests in 2013, 0 in 2012, 0 in 2011, 0 in 2010
A lot of progress has been made since the first Pink Pride parade in 2009. Back then, wearing pink budgy smugglers in public required a lot of courage. Ocean swimming was a fringe movement and commonly frowned upon to say the least.
Here’s an original photo from the first B&B Pink Pride in 2009:
Ocean Swimming has come a long way since those days. Today, it is widely acccepted for proud men and women to wear their pink swimwear in and out of the water. Swimmers have been seen doing their grocery shopping in pink B&B budgies and cozzies.
Back to today’s parade. The festivities started early. With the end of summer, the sun is rising noticably later now and it feels increasingly dark for the early swimmers. Undeterred, the 6:30 Drinks Express was soldiering on. Glow sticks and all.
The new 1:30am lockout rules at Kings Cross meant even hardcore revellers like Sterling and Peter were able to make it to Manly in time for the 7:00am open water leg of the parade.
This year’s Pink Pride swim was celebrated with some of the most exuberant costumes and floats yet.
Here’s the John Kelly float, with a giant effigy of JK himself, reminding everyone to wait at the point.
The WAGS float – supportive wifes and girlfriends of regular BnB swimmers.
Even the Manly Beach Running Club came down to show their support for the ocean swimming movement.
It was great to see many of the regulars making a special effort for the occasion. Everyone was looking his / her best walking down the ramp..
Welcome back Margot – all the way from the Blue Mountains!
The Cunningham’s turn up as a family squad – with dog and all!
The iconic rainbow boat ramp is being recreated on the same spot it was painted for last year’s parade. Unfortunately, the paint was quickly washed away by the incoming tide.
You can feel the love as revellers finally enter the ocean leg of the parade..
Waiting at the point – most of us…
I overheard someone say “sky looks a bit gloomy today”.. i beg to differ!
Now, this is new for me. Underwater shots. I usually have Nick, Elaine, Stephen or some other proficient underwater photographer helping me with these shots. I decided to practice on bums and legs waiting at Shelly first..
Much easier – crowd shots at Shelly. Everyone loves to spot themselves on the blog..
Ed checking out James’ legs..
I’m glad to report, no illegal substances were found in Ed’s Haribo bag.
Mark’s supportive parents float..
The splashing-legs float..
And, of course, the blog tart / tardis float..
It was Matt’s birthday today. Being his usual shy self, he didnt say a word until the very last minute. Thus missing out on 154 swimmers singing Happy Birthday to him. What a shame!
The Jane float..
‘Where are the fish photos?’ I hear you say. Truth is, I struggled to get any decent ones. I’d like to blame it on the equipment. However, those fish were really camera shy. Compared to people that is. Anything I got turned out really blurry.. below the best I could get. You’ll have to wait for Mary’s, Elaines, Nick’s and Renae’s blogs this week if you want anything better than this.
Wilf striking a pose – another original at the annual Pink Pride..
Back on solid ground – Sarah ready for the after party.
Maureen and Anne E unusually camera shy – but i got a good shot.
Tom and Jane discussing which after party to go to..
What’s more Mardi Gras than two scantily clad men having a good old towel fight?
A round up of the Pink Pride after-party action..
The Cunningham’s at their post-swim family debrief.
Being his usual Playboy self, Greg was seen jumping back and forth between different after-parties until he was taken into custody for not wearing underpants on South Steyne..
That’s it swimmers. Another stunning Pink Pride swim with no major disturbances to report. Rest up and see you all tomorrow at 7am in your pink budgies and cozzies!
Signing off
Lips – today, in the spirit of celebrating diversity, with his favourite arch-nemesis and former Monday blogger Robbie plus (squeezing in) Marije, who is currently on sick leave due to ‘pirate eye’
Bottom of Blog:
2014 Summer Badge Ceremony
If you are in Byron Bay on the 9th March you can see the Bold and Beautiful movie there as well as that is where it will DEBUT!! It’s called Dr Salt and here’s a link to details:
B&B i-Log
Almost 50% of swimmers are now using the B&B i-Log. Log your swim ANYTIME of day using this really efficient and easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster (ugoboyo@gmail.com). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.
Staying safe
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
The Stats
Regulars: 154
Newbie: (tbc)
Temp: 21.5 degrees
Sunrise: 6.43am
Sunset: 7.30pm
17 comments
Lesbubbles
02/03/2014 at 1:30 pm
Hehehehehe I giggled all the way thru that blog!!
Thanks Lips!!
There were also a lot of laughs this morning even tho the majority of last nights revellers weren’t there!!
Margot
02/03/2014 at 2:02 pm
A fantastic (and hilarious) blog! Well done, Lips! And yes, it was worth the pilgrimage from out west. I think we could all feel the love radiating from that group of swimmers this morning.
Jane
02/03/2014 at 2:13 pm
Lips – Comedy Blogger of the Year (at least while Robster is not blogging). LSA – Photobomber of the Day, Year or possibly even the Century……….
LSA aka HKTQ
02/03/2014 at 2:18 pm
Luv the Pink Pride and all:-)) Best way to be “outed”! We just laughed all the way through too…..
note to selfie: must blogtart a little harder next time:-))
Marije
02/03/2014 at 2:20 pm
Funny blog! Some great blog tarting from my 6.59ers. Well done. I should be back (without my pirate patch) sometime later during the week. Great to see that I made it in the blog without swimming. SEe you all soon.
Jane
02/03/2014 at 2:22 pm
Help! I swam today but am not on the attendance list – see Lips’s photographic evidence. I have to really push it now because Richard is hot on my heels only 1km behind 😱
Lainey aka E-laine
02/03/2014 at 2:33 pm
Very entertaining blog Lips brightening up a hungover Sunday! Love the JK float and WAGS float! Glad it was worth your trip from the Blue mountains Margot. See you all tomorrow!
Slow Ian
02/03/2014 at 2:46 pm
All fixed
JeffwithaJ
02/03/2014 at 2:58 pm
Thanks Lips for the laughs. Wonderfully politically correct and comical. You have a fine touch with the funny bone!
renae fowler
02/03/2014 at 3:10 pm
Fantastic blog rainer. It gave me a good laugh.
Simon
02/03/2014 at 3:28 pm
‘Like x 10/10’ (from Hoi An)
Louise Mackinlay
02/03/2014 at 3:33 pm
loved the blog, photos cant wait for next years parade!
Jane
02/03/2014 at 4:11 pm
Tx Ian. And while you’re at it, could you push Richard back a bit?
Bill McCaffeine
02/03/2014 at 4:29 pm
Well done on the blog mate !
By the way .. the Mardi Gras should be renamed Saturnalia
Why ? I’ll tell ye why !
“Mardi Gras”, “Mardi Gras season”, “‘Fat Tuesday'” and “Carnival season”, in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany or Kings day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday
Saturnalia
The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms: gambling was permitted, and masters provided table service for their slaves.[1] The poet Catullus called it “the best of days”
So both mean a knees up and pants down party………
BUT the main reason ………… Saturnalia is an anagram of Australian.
Robster
02/03/2014 at 5:10 pm
Blog saved at the finish with a pic of the blogster…
Lindsay
02/03/2014 at 5:27 pm
Hilarious!
Snorkles
02/03/2014 at 5:58 pm
Thanks for joining the Sunday dream team Lips! Fantastic as you managed to get all over Sydney coverage for the Parade!!
Must join the Nick D photography course for the fishy shots! Maybe they were all still out partying?