It’s always a pleasure waking up on a saturday morning – the whole weekend of fun ahead and spared the daily grind of a normal work day. This day was a special one for me, as it was my first Bold and Beautiful Blog day!! “Just write something personal…” I was told by the veteran bloggers… so I will.
I moved over to Manly after living most of my live in the East. Word had got out that you didn’t need to be a “member” of Icebergs to use the ocean pool (a well kept secret for a long time) and my monotonous morning pool laps were becoming less and less enjoyable as the crowd in the pool gathered … it was Pool Peak-Hour traffic! … sometimes waiting for five people at the end of the lane…Something had to change!
It was music to my ears to be told that a 100 or so people swim from Manly to Shelley beach EVERY morning – rain, hail or shine! Within three weeks of being told this, I upped my life, found an apartment one minute walk from the start of the swim and got initiated with a pink cap by Ian. Best move ever.
I’ve yet to meet a grumpy person! I’m actively looking to prove the point. I must admit it takes me awhile to fully wake up myself – minutes before the start, I crawl out of bed, do a rough teeth clean, drink of water, pop on the cozzie and some shorts, grab my oversized goggles and head down. I’m defintely no beam of sunshine at that hour – hair disheveled, eyes only partly open, sleep-crusts in the eyes – but I’ve never met one person who is not happy. It’s really is the nicest thing in the world. By the time everyone has done the swim, serotonin flying around, the energy is unreal. Everyone has a story, and I really love the large spectrum of all ages, a lot of great characters. And the women inspire me too, when I’m a little older, I want to be like them – amazing body, slim, fit and most importantly happy. There is no doubt that ocean swimming does that to you.
Being an ocean acitivist with Sea Shepherd, I love more than anything that we swim in a marine sanctuary. There is so much beautiful ocean marine wildlife. The fish seem to know they safe, and don’t even seem scared as you swim by. I saw an incredible ray last week and thought about it all day at the office.
Currently only 4% of NSW’s shoreline is protected by no-take marine sanctuaries .. and Barry O’Farrell, the NSW Premier, is now decided on whether to permanetly allow fishing from the shore in these special areas. http://nccnsw.org.au/take-action/marine. Our area is safe but signing the petition will be a great way to help other areas being protected so fish grow large to maturity and spawn.
Thank you for letting me blog today – and I hope you all have a fantastic Saturday ! How could you not?,,,, after a swim with the Bold and Beautiful crew!!
Fiona McCuaig
Stats:
Swimmers: 243
Newbies: 5
Water: 19 degrees
B&B Attendance Login App
BUY YOURS HERE NOW
13 comments
Jane
07/12/2013 at 12:43 pm
I left my baby thermos flask on the Table of Knowledge after a cuppa this morning – did anyone find it?
LSA aka HKTQ
07/12/2013 at 12:59 pm
Congratulations, Fiona, on a great 1st Blog! Clearly a “natural”!!
Fabulous 6K with a record turn-out for both the Super-leisurely and Regular groups! Well done all, especially 1st timers!
In the Super-leisurely group, we also celebrated Rainer’s 500K and Marijah has now set a record for the longest B&B swim breast-stroking every stroke of the way (with no wet-suit or fins). Well done all!
John
07/12/2013 at 1:14 pm
The conditions for the first 6km swim were not looking that favourable from the club with the surf up at Queenscliff and Freshwater. However it was better than it looked and we safely reached Freshie. The return trip was an enjoyable one.
A good start to the season and well done to any first timers. Next Saturday both the 6k and 10k swims are on.
Lips
07/12/2013 at 1:15 pm
Agree with Sarah.. fantastic blog post Fiona. Love the personal touch!
You need to work on your sign-off photo though. You look like James Partington. After another one of his Hammerhead sightings.
Great 6k swim everyone!
Michael [EX CI]
07/12/2013 at 1:18 pm
GREAT BLOG Fiona. Very personable photos! All interesting full face shots.
48 doing the 6km swim is AMAZING at this time of year. Well done all of you. I should mention [ahem] that I did 6km this morning also in Fremantle. So I was with you in spirit.
Simon Cowell
07/12/2013 at 2:21 pm
Hi Fiona
It is nice to hear a new voice, I really liked your first blog, thanks for sharing a little of your personal journey with us. Your observation is correct, there are no grumpies in B&B. I look forward to hearing your next blog.
ros
07/12/2013 at 2:31 pm
What a beautiful morning, and a beautiful day.
Congratulations Fiona, as Sarah says, you’re a natural blogger! And congratulations to all the 6-km-ers. Amazing achievement! I only managed 4.5km, before the COLD water forced my early retirement to the surf club and a thermos of tea. Looking forward to a 6km when the water gets over 20 degrees again.
Bernhard
07/12/2013 at 4:27 pm
I like your efficiency Rainer. 1swim = 2 badges (6k swim and 500 k pacific challenge). Congrats. Now you need to plan your 10k swim when you are at 995k or whereabouts in the PC later this summer. And Sarah, thanks for organizing our little group of (mostly) novice 6k swimmers. It was a great experience.
Lindsay
07/12/2013 at 5:38 pm
Great first blog Fiona, and I love all of the happy photos!
LSA aka HKTQ
07/12/2013 at 7:49 pm
Thx for joining us, Bernhard. See you next week for the slow 10K!
Lips
07/12/2013 at 8:04 pm
Haha! Yes Bernhard, not getting out of bed anymore for less that two badges..
CaroM
07/12/2013 at 10:44 pm
Hello Fiona. We guessed you were a new blogger as you asked so nicely before you took the photos and avoided those unflattering surprise full body shots, pulling off orca suit bent over shots, chicken wing arms going over waves shots, bum in the air diving through waves shots, generally unflattering saggy bit shots, the ” omg do I really look like that” shots, ” I really should have got to the beautician/ done some manscaping yesterday” shots, and the ” pretend it’s an action shot but actually just a fit young thing that will look good on the blog” shot. Welcome and it was a beautiful morning!
Debaru
08/12/2013 at 3:15 am
Well done, Fiona! I love how you simply decided to make a change and followed through! Way to be spontaneous! And, awesome job on the great photos of the Bold & Beautiful folks.