05/07/2014 – What winter?

What a stunning start to the weekend!

 

 

That must be why 170 mostly wet-suited B&B swimmers rocked up for today’s swim.  This is nudging the numbers seen in the slightly warmer months.  But really, the water temperature this week has gone from a low of 16.5 degrees early in the week, to a balmy 18.2 degrees today.

 

As we made our way down the ramp a very low tide greeted us along with waves just high enough to slap you in the face.

 

 

The water is remarkably clear.  We had an amazing view of the bottom of the bay as we crossed to Shelly.  The ripples in the sand were clearly visible.

With a mob this size, we totally occupied Shelly!

 

Now John tells me he started doing push-ups to stay warm, but it appears to have become part of the waiting ritual – and there is not even a badge for this! (yet).

Here we see Rusty putting on his best planking face.

 

And here is Robbie!!  Looks cold doesn’t he?  That is because he is doing Winter Without Wetsuit to raise funds for the Shepherd Centre.  If you would like to encourage Robbie’s madness then donate by following the link WWW for the Shepherd Centre.

 

JK is always one cool dude. . .

 

 

The anemone is still rolling around just off Shelly.

 

Here is a little Wobbegong that had the red carpet treatment while attempting to hide under a rock.  This is what happens when spotted by four people each carrying a camera!!

 

 

A little further on a Port Jackson stays very still as we act like a pack of crows diving to capture just one more shot.

 

If you want to know more about sharks do come along to the dinner on Tuesday to hear from the remarkable Valerie Taylor.  Places are filling, so make sure you book here now!

The aquarium was very lively today.

 

 

 

 

I’m not sure what these fish are doing, but they swim really fast then turn so that they slide their sides along the rock.  It appears like they are scratching their scales!!  Any fish behaviour experts out there?

   

 

 

 

You don’t need to venture too far from shore to encounter the beauty of the marine life.  These shots are in knee deep water just off Manly.

 

 

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Mary

 

 

Bottom of the Blog – the very useful stuff

Monthly Dinner – Bluewater Cafe, Tuesday 8th July at 6.30 pm

In her early life Valerie Taylor was a champion spearfisher.  She switched from killing sharks to filming them when along with husband Ron, she became fascinated with marine life. Ron and Valerie were the first people to film great white sharks without the protection of a cage or anything else during the making of the series Blue Wilderness in 1992. Valerie became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010 for service to conservation and the environment as an advocate for the protection and preservation of marine wildlife and habitats. Valerie will give a talk about her various experiences with sharks over the years. She will also show a short film on the marine world in Indonesia and how it has changed.

The cost will be only $20 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of main to choose (incl a vegetarian option) and free corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff.

All beers, wine and deserts are an optional extra at the special price of only $5 each!!
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL, so book here now!!

 

Week 6 of the Winter Badge season.

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!!  Make sure you use the i-Log to register your without wetsuit for the WWW badge.

B&B i-Log

The B&B i-Log is the best way to capture your swims!!  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

There may not be any waves just at the moment, but are you prepared for their return? 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:  170

Newbie:  4

Temp:   18.2 degrees

Sunrise:  7.00 am

Sunset:  4.59 pm