05/04/2013 – is for the living

This week is the last one in morning darkness for a while. It can be a challenge to tip that sorry old bod out of bed and try not to make too much noise because you don’t want to wake up the birds.

But it’s been said before (and yes I’ll say it again); you never regret coming down to the beach, even when it’s pitch black. Myself, I had it on good authority that the surfing conditions were ideal for a beginner like me, so enjoyed half an hour in velvety, warm waves and managed to stand up for a total of two seconds (divided between the two times I got up). Life is not for cowards and pessimists, it’s for the living.

And these lively characters were all well pleased to be alive this morning. Some apparently had already had their coffee, judging by their bright outlook.

And some apparently not. Whassup Greg?

While others were on something entirely different. Whassup Andy?

Calendar boys.

Today’s marine life pic brings us 1 x Crimsonbanded Wrasse and 1 x Estuary Catfish.

Selection of Smiling Sunrise Swimmers next.

A couple that swims together, stays together.

“Race ya to Shelley Beach”, says Ian and takes off into the sunrise. “Finally some room to move”, Pauline is heard muttering behind him.

Nick Crikey Dawkins, aka Saturday’s blogger enjoyed the serenity of Shelly Beach, but it was just the calm before the storm.

Jenny and Lesley are fired up about something.

The Dutchman and the German had a scuffle.

Ok break it up. What has unnerved and rattled these middle aged people to the degree they’re ready to pick a fight with anyone who so much as takes a sideways glance at them?

An imposter in the shape of a Bluebottle stinger was identified as agent provocateur and instigator of the brawl. It was duly escorted out of the area by our highly authoritative Mrs Knapman, with the aid of a menacing rubber flipper.

And then the people of the bay lived happily ever after, dancing and making merry as only these people can.

Another beautiful swim under our belts, and Sue McGregor is keen to tell Libby, using some intricate mathematical technique, that she now only has to swim every single day for an entire year in order to receive the coveted 1,000km Pacific Challenge Badge. Way to go Sue.

And Jenny M was overheard asking ever so politely if this man on the sand needed any first aid help.

These two fabulous blokes are the ones keeping the wheels turning in the B&B engine room. Johnny and Ian, always with a smile to spare.

Is there life before coffee? Well the answer is clearly a resounding YES, but at the Table of Knowledge it is a well established fact that post-swim coffee enhances quality of life even further.

For more socialising and merrymaking, don’t miss the next B&B Bluewater dinner on Tuesday 9th April.  Great value at just $20 for two courses with $5 drinks. To register your attendance, follow the link Bluewater Monthly Dinner.

Staying safe

NEW water safety tips courtesy of champion Ironman Craig ‘Riddo’ Riddington. It’s a great read and can help keep you safe in the surf.  To read and even download click here.

Swimmers: 83

Newbies: 1

Double dippers: 3

Water temp 23.5

Air Temp: 16 to 23

Low tide 11.34am

High Tide 5.44pm

Sunrise 7.10am

Sunset: 6.44pm

We have received an inspiring letter from our own long distance swimmer James Goins, which I have included in its entirety. Have a read below about the amazing Helen Conway and what she plans to do this weekend.

Signing out with one of her most flattering photos is your Girl Friday blogger Anna.

Hello, B & B swim friends!

This a very big weekend for open water swimmers!

Tomorrow, April 6, commencing around midday, Sydney marathon swimmer and honorary “Frosty Nut” Helen Conway will attempt to become the first person (that we know of) to “Swim Sydney”: that is, the entire Sydney ocean front Palm Beach in Sydney’s northern outskirts down to Bundeena at the southern tip of the city’s boundaries. The distance is approximately 60-65 kilometres and Helen looks to complete it in 24-28 hours. This will include swimming into and out of the entire overnight period from Saturday to Sunday.

Needless to say, Helen has been in training for quite some time for this swim. Her 2010 English Channel Crossing, itself a major achievement, has proved to be but one of the many vital steps of personal affirmation which have brought her to this stage as an open water swimmer.

Making history is one thing, but making a difference is much more important to Helen. Therefore, she has nominated this swim as a fundraising event for the Inspire Foundation, which runs programs to tackle youth suicide and mental health issues in teenagers and young adults, particularly through its websites such as www.reachout.com.

We sincerely ask that you rally behind Helen on this occasion. She’ll be working very hard out there this weekend. As ocean swimmers yourselves, you can appreciate that fact. If you can find a few dollars to donate, the Inspire Foundation, Helen and our support team would all be very thankful: http://personalchallenge.gofundraise.com.au/page/SwimSydney

There are other ways of getting behind Helen. The entire swim will be carried live on twitter (@Swim_Sydney), which will place you right out along the Sydney Coast with Helen’s support team as we all join to rally behind her in privileged amazement. The twitter feeds have already begun so you may now begin to ‘follow along’ as we go through our final days of preparation. Although Helen is almost certain to start at Palm Beach, final determination of the direction of the swim will be made at 6 pm tonight, and then carried on the twitter site. If you are new to twitter, the web address is www.twitter.com/Swim_Sydney

During the swim, the team will carry along a GPS Spot Tracker which will allow you to follow Helen’s progress.

You can access the tracker using this link:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=06o4DOyB0Fqpq1YnQcqA9jMutW79rMNg4

Once Helen has begun, we’ll turn the tracker on and the link will start to work for you. Make a note of this link now, although we’ll be tweeting this and all the other aforementioned links shortly before the swim commences. For now, you can start to “follow us” on Twitter at @Swim_Sydney. During the swim, we’ll be looking out for any of your twitter feedback and passing it directly to Helen during feeds. This may be particularly helpful during the nighttime section, so why not stay up with us?

You can also follow Helen’s blog at http://helenswims.blogspot.com/

On behalf of Helen, the team sincerely hopes you will get behind us and follow along. For those of you already on board, a huge note of gratitude for your support.

Thank you on behalf of @Swim_Sydney

James Goins