02/03/2016 – Health, Happiness and Harmony with a B&B Swim!

How lucky have we been to swim with these beautiful Dusky Whaler sharks recently? There are so many this year and they are swimming in shallower water so we can get a good look at them! They are harmless as you know and are more timid than the Kingfish, Groper, Mullet and other fish so please don’t let me put you off swimming with us if you are scared of sharks. They are not interested in us! The title is courtesy of the inspirational swimmer Dorset, more about him below!

 

It’s the second day of Autumn… First light was at 6.18am and sunrise at 6.44am. This means we get to see the most gorgeous skies as we get down to Manly for our swims. Here are The Drinks Express entering the water. What’s more, the water is 23.5, the air temp around the same, there are no stingers and not too much swell. Perfect swimming conditions!155 of us logged on today and 6 newbies joined us.

 

The Drinks Express is so popular nowadays. Here they are about to go in 6.30am sharp!

 

Every day we meet inspiring people at the B&B. These brave swimmers  swam the 20km Rottnest Island swim at the weekend, Mark, Claire and Jackson. Claire even got hypothermia but pushed on and finished the massive swim. In true B&B humility she says, “we were lucky we got great conditions.”

 

The Drinks Express waiting at The Point under a golden sky…

 

Cabbage Tree Bay 6.40am

 

… and the beautiful one I asked Henrietta to take from her balcony a little higher. A little earlier too probably 6.20am…Thanks Henrietta.

 

Bush Turkeys on the beach!

 

 

Drinky and his team!

Now this amazing guy Dorset, set himself the goal of swimming 100kms in 30 days. He achieved it yesterday by swimming 3 Doubles. He actually did the 100kms in 22 days as he paddles twice a week. He says our swim gives you all you need to lead a great life, “The 3 H’s, Health, Happiness and Harmony!” Thanks Dorset you’ve given me the title of today’s blog!

 

 

We had our youngest B&Ber try and join the group this morning 🙂

 

Jim has bought some special webbed gloves to improve his stroke. (Or maybe he’s working on his bad boy look 😉 Go Jim!

 

l asked Sophie to jump but I didn’t think she’d go THAT high! Wow Sophie, I wouldn’t like to see you on a trampoline!

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I actually snuck the one above of Ian at The Point in from yesterday when I realised I hadn’t any at The Point. Top marks if you noticed this!

Billy, Melissa and Nicola in foreground.

Can Tooers know how to blog tart. Well done Amanda!

 

Hope you can spot yourself at Shelly!

 

This lovely couple Greg and Sue Marinan, have become hard core regulars since starting the swim a few weeks ago. I nagged Sue for 3 years when I’d see her at Manly West Scool to give it a go. Now she loves it has been doubling nearly every day. They study The Pacific Challenge and aspire to be in the top 1000. Greg has just made it to 999th!

 

Fiona comes along with me for a look at the fish and sharks on the way back. Here she is with the Yellowtail.

 

Speaking of Yellowtail I saw the ones above having a bit of a feeding frenzy with some plankton yesterday!

 

Then Fiona saw her first Dusky!

 

We swam over the flat pale rocks and dove down to the Old Wives.

 

 

I think this long stick like fish is a Flutemouth. He was hanging out with the Old Wives

Then there was another one with the Luderick and Blackfish

 

Fiona with Pomfret and Mados

 

Some more photos of Dusky Whalers from earlier in the week. There really does seem a large amount this year and as they are often to be seen closer to the rocks we can get a better look at them. Marije said she saw 10 in one go yesterday! This is a very short 7 second video I took a few days ago.click here

 

 

 

 

 

Wobbegong spotted yesterday over rocks near halfway.

I was lucky enough to see Shelly the turtle last week too. He was swimming with only 2 flippers but still swam quite well. Hope this video link works.
click here

The water is a lot clearer at the moment so if you want to come a snorkle with me wait at Shelly and we can go a tour!

 

2016 Summer Badge Ceremony – Sunday 13^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). B&B merchandise will also be on sale at the event. The venue is the Royal Far West Children’s Home (opposite the beach) on Sunday 13^th March, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and …. RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (bacon and egg sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Breakfast

All 2016 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.

 

 

Monthly Dinner Special Event – John Kelly’s Beer Tasting Dinner!

The next B&B monthly dinner is on Tuesday 8th March at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. For this event a FREE beer tasting is included for B&B members and their friends. Local business, Dial a Drink, has collaborated with northern beaches craft brewer Nomad to give the B&B the opportunity to participate in an exclusive FREE Craft Beer tasting and learning session. Discover the unique range that local brewery Nomad offers, and learn more about craft beer, the ingredients, taste profiles and some of the best brews. You will have the opportunity to purchase your favourite beers from the tasting, with Dial a Drink delivering your order straight to your door following the dinner.

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The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 a head, which includes the beer tasting plus shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). For those who are not partial to a cold beer, glasses of wine will also be available at the special price of only $5 each, so you can still come along and have a great time with all your B&B friends. Desserts will also be half price ($5 each). Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential: To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.

Pink Wednesdays at Whitewater Restaurant

From 2nd March, each and every Wednesday will be “PINK WEDNESDAY” at WHITEWATER RESTAURANT. B&B swimmers will receive a massive 50% discount on all food items when they present their “PINK WEDNESDAY” CARD.

In order to get your “PINK WEDNESDAY” CARD, which is only available for B&B members, send an E-mail to *Rebeka Zubac*, Functions & Event Coordinator at Whitewater Restaurant to *info@whitewaterrestaurant.com.au <info@whitewaterrestaurant.com.au>*. Please complete the form below and copy it into your email.

SUBJECT: PINK WEDNESDAY

First Name:

Last Name:

E-mail:

Mobile:

Gender:

Male Female

Date of Birth:

Month Of Anniversary:

Also remember, our friends at Manly Beach Health Club, who are again sponsoring the RED FEB event, are offering a FREE 30 min Personal Training session to our members. This is a great way to kick start your New Years health goals. Click here to download your FREE voucher.

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. Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.

Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.

Have a wonderful day folks and keep swimming. Autumn swimming is the best!

 Signing off

Lainey (here with the Ageing Fearlessly Manly Inflatable Boat Race Team!)