04/06/14 – So this is Winter…

It’s an amazing feeling coming eye to eye with a brilliant blue groper and yet… it’s one of the things that happens to us swimmers almost daily… 140 B&B swimmers must have felt very grateful this morning to be swimming on the 4th day of Winter in stunning conditions across Cabbage Tree Bay Marine Reserve

Air temp was a little cooler at 14 degrees and  water temp had gone down to 20.0, but apparently water temp is still 2 or 3 degrees above average for this time of year. If you warm yourself up before with Storchy’s Booty Camp you barely notice the freshness of the water. John took us through a bit of soccer training this morning with World Cup approaching.

The Drinks Express is getting almost as popular as the 7am swim with around 45 doing it today!

We don’t even have to get up early to see sunrise at this time of year. Beautiful glowing sky as the 7amers head out…

These 2 friendly gents Ian M and Tayls are probably happier than they’ve ever been judging by their big grins every morning. They must be so glad they found out about this amazing group as we all are. It’s a hard life being a retiree!

This was the 4th attempt at an underwater photo as I hadn’t put on the underwater setting. Sorry you were late for the ‘Let’s Go’ folks! (And thanks so much for lending me a flipper Fiona.)

A few people were underwater looking at this interesting specimen when I got to Shelly. The Ausmus tells me it’s a ‘Wandering Anemone’. Ian McKnight wanted to eat it 😉

A welcome back for Izzy today!

These fish were HUGE as we swam off from Shelly. The Duskies are getting bigger too!

Looking out for cuttlefish again today. The one with tentacles growing back is usually near the palm trees 200 metres from Shelly. Stephen found him nearer the pool. I have a cuttlefish addiction so it was satisfied today! I’m sure this one recognises me now!

So nice to have the visibility back!

I’m last one of the 7am swimmers out as usual and pretty cold from all the diving down. Great seeing the Doublers as they get out though. They always seem to be exceptionally happy as if double the time in the ocean has doubled the amount of endorphins flowing through their bodies. Judge for yourself!

Two exeedingly happy swimmers even did a Triple today! Well done Tayls and Lyndall!!!

 So Winter swimming? What do you think? We can do it YES WE CAN! 

Bottom of the Blog – the very useful stuff

Monthly Dinner – Bluewater Cafe, Tuesday 10th June at 6.30 pm

This month’s guest speaker, Chris Miller, is a freelance cameraman who worked on the TV program Getaway for 20 years. Chris has travelled to many exotic locations where he has filmed both above and below the water. Chris will talk about his experiences swimming with Whale Sharks in Western Australia and cage diving with Great White Sharks in South Australia.

The cost will be only $20 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of main to choose (incl a vegetarian option) and corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff.  All beers (including four pines beers!), wine and deserts an optional extra at the special price of only $5 each. BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL, so book here now!! 

Winter Badge season kicked off 1 June.

You know you want one!  There are 14 weeks in the winter season.  To qualify for the prized Cold & Bold Badge you simply need to swim 20 times within the season ensuring you have swum in a minimum of 7 different weeks.  So, attempting to do it all in the first few weeks does not count!! 

The Biggest Morning Tea ever

Help B&B regular Miguel Maestre (aka the Crazy Bull) fight cancer this May and June, and make this year’s Biggest Morning Tea the biggest ever!  Please share his video or maybe even organise one with as many friends as possible. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqn8zLeMJZk&list=UUoqsI4BQjKoFanMQOy5VEIw

B&B i-Log

Really if you haven’t been using the B&B i-Log then you must be new!!  Almost 75% 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 (This is not a link so please copy and paste into your email). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.

Staying safe

We have had seen the return of some serious waves and rips this past week!  Were you prepared? 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:  140 and counting

Newbie:  7

Temp:   20.0 degrees

Sunrise: 6.53 am

Sunset: 4.53 pm

Have a wonderful day folks!

Lainey Loo aka Elaine