06/02/14 – Jumping for Joy at the B&B!

 The temperature has dropped but our enthusiasm for swimming with the B&B hasn’t, as you can see with these swimmers! 

Before I go on with today’s swim, Ian has asked me to mention there are only 10 places left for the B&B Bluewater dinner next Tuesday night so book in quick! (Details at bottom of blog.)

Now the morning started off a bit dull today. As Elizabeth and Anne said, ‘Where’s the sun, it’s Thursday, it’s always sunny for your blog Elaine?’ Still a lovely morning down in our special corner of the world though…As the Drinks Express entered the water, Greg joy jumped on demand and Robert continued his attempts at photobombing!

 The Drinks Express was down on numbers this morning, down by about 15 on last week I’d say but school is back and it must be hard for some of you to get down with kids at home.

The 7amers start to arrive with Ian, Lesbubbles, John and Anne the first to greet newbies and help with attendance. Please use the ilog folks, it makes their job so much easier! Can’t remember what JK is saying here, probably, ‘Yer’ve got two chances eever log on yer phone or… I’m giving yer name to Stephen Coulter for the Sydney Skinny Swim.’

 Bella was at the Boatshed last night drinking shots and is unsure if this swim will clear her head or make it worse…(She definitely looks better in a later shot!)

 Alan is our latest blog tart but Roz is a bit shy for some reason this morning.

It’s a longer walk to the swim today with these exceptionally low tides we’ve been having…

 Lovely Dr Cath Coleman, (here below with Richard), is training for the Coastrek  50km walk in aid of the Fred hollows Foundation along with her sister, myself and Renae. Elaine Kindred is generously organising a fundraising cake stall on Saturday morning just after the swim. Please come with a few gold coins to buy a yummy treat or 2 and help us raise money for this fantastic cause. Thank you so much to those of you baking. Please feel free to bring something along too if you can.

Cath and Richard demonstrate how clear the water is today! Woop woop!

 I had to admire the legs on this lady swimmer…(whoops on closer inspection it’s Lips aka Rainer getting on the blog again!)

The water is so clear today and there are loads of fish. I love it like this when you feel you are swimming in an aquarium! This fiddler ray swam below me, look at the patterns!

 The old wives swim quite deep but this one was a bit closer to the surface over the rocks.

A numbfish with a stingray photobomb 🙂

lsn’t it just awesome swimming through the schools of yellowtail?

And of course it’s awesome swimming with such a happy bunch of people! Some of the lovely ladies baking for Fred Hollows and the B&B Coastrek team are below!

 Sorry the photos at Shelly are a bit dark, I left my camera on underwater setting by mistake!

Joey the Joy Jumper/ Ultra Marathon runner who heads up Manly Running Club has bought down some of his runners, Anita, Kelly and Charlie. Charlie loves the ocean and calls it ‘Happy Juice’!

 

A bit brighter over the Eastern side of Shelly…and Bella’s recovered!

Here we can clearly see Dreamboat Dave getting a head start back as he attempts to be first back to the Surf Club. JK has barely finished his ‘Let’s Go’!

I swim back marvelling at the beautiful marine life with Marije. After a couple of weeks of cloudy water it’s great to see the blue gropers and mados again.

There is always the excitement of seeing a fish you haven’t seen before too. Anyone know the name of this beautiful fella?

This is the spot where you usually see loads of fish. Marije even stands on a rock for a rest. She has a room for rent if anyone is interested, in a lovely 2 bed apartment on Ashburner Street. Please comment on blog comments if interested.

Look how clear!

Pretty lucky to see Daddy, Mummy and baby stingray!

It’s always amazing to stop for a minute and look back at this magical environment we swim in too. All the swimmers have gone, only me here!

A quick stop for a catfish and wrasse and through the gentle waves to…

Wilf, Sarah, Turbo and Sparkles!

One last photo and I’m done. My Mum and Dad hear Joey’s humble but inspiring stories of 69 hour long runs and cycling from Budapest to Madrid at the tables of knowledge!

If you can’t make the cake stall and do feel like supporting the B&B Treckers and helping restore eyesight to people in the poorest parts of the world. Please click on the link below.

Click here

Bottom of blog:

 128 swimmers inc 3 Bolderdashers. Water Temp 20.5. 9 Newbies. 66 iloggers!

Red Cap Swim

Donations throughout the month can be made here: https://redfebrelay.everydayhero.com/au/bold-beautiful-swim-squad-manly

 

B&B Monthly Dinner is back! – WITH SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER!

GUEST SPEAKER is Belinda Curley, a Marine Ecologist based at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science at Chowder Bay. Much of Belinda’s research has been concentrated in our very own Cabbage Tree Bay. Belinda will present a short talk at the dinner about the importance of marine reserves for conservation, and will highlight the ‘four seasons of marine organisms in Cabbage Tree Bay’ – what we know about the creatures that live there, including dusky whalers, tropical and temperate fish recruits, jellyfish, port jackson sharks, giant cuttlefish and more.

This month’s dinner will be on Tuesday 11th February at 6.30 pm. The cost is only $20 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of mains to choose (including a vegetarian option), corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff. Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential:

To secure your spot please BOOK HERE NOW. This event will sell out, so please book ASAP to avoid disappointment.

B&B i-log

Now that the new work year has kicked in, save time and be ever so efficient, by using the B&B i-log.  It’s a smart phone friendly website so no need to download, just bookmark it.  There are so many good reasons to use the B&B Login – like no queues, no need for glasses to find your name, never missing the 7am call, and you can do it on the bus or ferry on the way to work.

Log your swim ANYTIME that day for an 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

Summer badge swims

Every Saturday during summer there will be a 6km swim – usual route is to Freshwater and back; then once a month there is a 10km swim – this is to South Curl Curl and back.  However, the final route depends on conditions that day so it is a good idea to arrive a little early to have a briefing from the designated swim leader.  Both swims kick off at 7am.

The proposed date for the next 10km swim is 15 February depending on conditions.   This date will depend on final confirmation of local surf carnivals so keep checking the blog for updates.

Bolderdash

This daily swim to Queenscliff and back DEPARTS the surf club at 5.50am.  As these are generally intimate groups, please WAIT for everyone in the water before heading off.  Do buddy up with someone – great to be with someone who has the same pace – that way everyone is ‘accounted for’ at Queenscliff.

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.

Have a great day everyone!

Lainey loo aka Elaine (with Miguel this week, sorry Tedley)