160 swimmers braved the surf today, 15 of which were brand spankin’ new to Bold & Beauuuutiful Swim Squad. Welcome!
This ‘little’ community group of people who turn up at 7am every day to swim together is now well established as a people’s movement on steroids. We’ve forgotten who founded it, but for those with better memory than myself claim that it was started by a man called Michael with a little occasional help from his lady friend whatsername. I believe Manly Council is planning to erect a statue in his honour which will take pride of place right at the top of the ramp.
Ok lame joke. We all know who founded this group, and she has set it up so cleverly, she is now able to delegate the jobs involved in running the show. The daily blogs are now in the custody of various swimmers. The only day still not allocated is Sundays, which is why I temporarily have stepped in today. If anyone feels like taking ownership of Sunday blog posts, let Julie know asap.
Personally, I would nominate this deceptively innocent looking girl pictured below as she was regaling us with her latest adventures. Save it for the blog, Libby, I say.
And these two ladies are also seriously considering it, as you can see.
There were some big-ish sets today, providing a fun challenge for those of us who were feeling bold.
Here’s the lovely Norm, who has come all the way from New York for a holiday with his equally sweet wife Gale. They’re visiting Gale’s niece Lori (one of our fastest and best looking swimmers), and I think they’re ready to join the B&B very soon. Eh, Norm?
We were also watched by Channel 7 this morning. They must’ve heard we’re most likely holders of a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest daily open water swimming group.
A few of us took the half-way option, but I wonder if it was less of a challenge than getting in at the beach, what with the high tide making the waves smash the sea wall and providing us with our daily dose of drama.
At Shelly Beach, we had the usual suspects.
Aaah, the serenity. Spot the loudmouth.
But the rest of us put on brave smiles and ignored her as best we could.
A baby Wobbegong was hiding in the seagrass and a baby scuba flitted away, too shy for the camera.
And finally, as a result of a brave rescue whereby this anonymous Surf Lifesaver threw herself onto submerged and very sharp rocks, she sustained irreparable mental scars. And a few scratches on her pins. “The waves came crashing down on us but I knew that if I didn’t make the leap there and then, the 20 year old rather fit looking male swimmer in distress would have had to be washed up on shore all by himself”, said Libby (not her real name) before getting changed and picked up by her waiting carers.
No earlies or Boulderdashers reported today, but 6 people did a double Shelly return.
Over and out from Anna A, blogging today (9 Dec) on what, according to Swedish calendars, is Anna’s Name Day. Congratulations to all Annas out there 🙂
Some fantastic birds eye view photos taken by Ann Cameron this morning:
You can see the B&B logging team (John B and others) salvaging a mega plank of wood as part of their swim
Some housekeeping details:
B&B CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES:
- Christmas Party –
Wed, 12th Dec from 6.30pm in the downstairs section of The Steyne Hotel (as you enter from the Rope &
Anchor). Please RSVP here
now !! It’s Retro theme so dress up and come and boogie the night
away. It will be a great night. DJ and nibbles are provided, drinks
can be purchased from behind the bar throughout the night. Don’t miss
it ! - Adventure Swim – Night swim with glow sticks, torches, changed to 8.30pm so it’s dark enough 🙂 Thursday 20th December. Regular B&B swim, Manly to Shelly and back !
- Gold coin donation BBQ Breakfast at Royal Far West on Sat 22nd Dec, to kick off our exciting new
partnership with them. Everyone is welcome, so please come along and get to know more about the wonderful work they do there on
Sat 22nd Dec straight after the swim. - Christmas DAY !!! 7am Swim to Manly return as usual followed by BBQ Breakfast, byo and share at Shelly Beach as soon as you wish after the swim.
- B&B’s 4th Birthday Party Swim, Thursday 27th December
we might be celebrating 4000 swimmers and a world record too… we
currently have a submission in with the Guinness World Records for the
worlds largest daily open water swimming group !!
Water Temperature 20.9
Air Temperature Not sure but it’s going to be 25
Sunrise 5.37am
Sunset 7.57pm
Low Tide: 11.26am
High Tide: 5.22pm
To read Michael’s tips on how to stay safe in the surf please click here
19 comments
Little Sarah Abbott
09/12/2012 at 12:13 pm
Great job Anna! Your’re temporarily doing a great job every week until any mystery blogger comes to your aid:-)
After a lovely welcome back of calm seas for a week, this morning’s surf out and back was a real wake-up call!
Highlight of the morning was helping Jules to sign up Nick D to Sat blogs. Well done, Nick – signed, sealed and witnessed:-))) You’ll be great.
Tim, about time you started occasionally swimming (or at least faking it) and b’fasting again, so that you’re ready for FRIDAYS!!
"Snorkles"
09/12/2012 at 12:41 pm
So good to be back in the water after my steroid injection (no little Sarah didnt supply this one!) although it was all a bit bumpy and a bit seawater swigging today for those who started at half way (with snorkels)! Lovely walk back with the baby minder Alyson 🙂
Lips – I think my neck is looking as big as your lips these days!
..oh and ELane keeps asking me about that blog thing……happy to guest blog author on my return from UK 😉 if the need is there!
Slowest Shaun – did I tell you about my TV appearance???
Anyone doing the Santa Sunday session this afternoon?? I’m going as Santa’s Little Helper!!!
Slow Ian
09/12/2012 at 12:41 pm
I agree with LSA, Anna you’re doing a great job. Perhaps too good. I think we will ask you to stay on for a while…please?
By the way, Paige, are you out there? We miss you. Last time we saw you, you were not feeling that well. Hope you are OK. Come back soon.
Alyson
09/12/2012 at 1:05 pm
Great blog Anna! Another top swim today, and thanks to John for saving us from the big log!! Jane (not her real name ) had a dramatic exit with a bleeding nose… Hope you recovered ok, and yes, we are all looking forward to seeing you again Paige!
john S
09/12/2012 at 1:12 pm
Anna, congrats on the blog, your obvious higher education shines through with superior jokes, images and spelling! Love to see you with the permanent – regular blog, if your time permits.
Very pretty and intelligent!
😉
Calling Paige, where are you?
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
09/12/2012 at 1:27 pm
Yeah yeah, steroid injection. Pretty impressive. No jimble scar though..
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
09/12/2012 at 1:30 pm
Quote of the day: “Did you see me walking out with that massive piece of timber?”
(John B in the men’s changing room.. followed by a few seconds of awkward silence)
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
09/12/2012 at 1:33 pm
Agree. AA is doing way too good a job to relieve her from blog duty any time soon!!!
Laney-Loo formerly known as E-lane
09/12/2012 at 2:12 pm
Another great blog Anna! Fantastic to see Tomas out swimming on his 4th swim with the rough conditions too!
I thought John Bond was very 007 ish handling that massive piece of timber and saving us all from crashing in to it! (Did he really word it like that in the changing rooms Lips?)
I swam flipperless both ways through the raging surf with Little Sarah and Lips and I think they are quicker than me. If any slowies want to Bolderdash at 5.40am on Tuesday come and join us! Little Sarah is spurring me on to get out of my comfort zone. I seriously think she will be doing an English Channel swim before long the way she is going!
Alyson
09/12/2012 at 2:48 pm
Ah-hum (cough) I know I didn’t make it the full way back but I joined the flipper less team on the way out/over to shelly… 😉 if conditions are good Tuesday I will join… If not I will cheer u on!
Paige
09/12/2012 at 2:51 pm
Ian, so nice of you to notice my absence! I have missed all of you, as well as the swimming, so much! I’ve actually been down for the count with vertigo (hence the dizziness when I saw you last) but am hoping to be back in action this week! See you soon…
Paige
09/12/2012 at 2:53 pm
Hola! How did your bronze medallion go? I’ve been sick with vertigo (of all things!) but am hoping to be back very soon!
Little Sarah Abbott
09/12/2012 at 3:06 pm
Paige, in my desperation for a 6k partner, I’d thought of your kind offer to help me along, but luckily (for you), you weren’t called on. Anyway, you’d inspired me:-)
Get well and back in the sea with us very soon – you can always join Lips and I:-))
Little Sarah Abbott
09/12/2012 at 3:10 pm
Pls do join us…. more flipperless slowies, more tea-breaks. Laney-Loo & Lips, I think it should be meet at 5.30, depart 5.35, now the fasties leave at 5.45. No pressure…
Laney-Loo formerly known as E-lane
09/12/2012 at 3:56 pm
I think you are making the earlier time for me Little Sarah, because I’m so slow. Come on fess up, that’s the truth isn’t it??!!
Anna Alvsdotter
09/12/2012 at 4:38 pm
Ok peeps, I don’t know how much this has cost Jules, but I must remind you all that bribery is one of the seven or so deadly sins. But thanks anyway for superior (if unjustified) praise.
John S in particular – if you work as a managing agent for freelance journos, you’re hired!
Alyson
09/12/2012 at 4:53 pm
I just realized I can’t make the Christmas dress up night on Wednesday as will be in Melbourne for work 🙁 hope you all have a great time! Can’t wait to see the pics of everyone’s costumes!!
john S
09/12/2012 at 5:25 pm
ss and i failed miserably yesterday but got through on a sympathy vote today!!
Vertigo, as in high places??? you lofty person you! get well quick, I think its high time that very buff and cut partner of yours came for a swim……
Little Sarah Abbott
09/12/2012 at 6:23 pm
Actually, we got a clap when we arrived last time, so would be nice to get in ahead of SS and give him the clap for a change:-)
Anyway, Lips is boss – he’ll probably turn up at the last minute, sign a few autographs, chat to the press and saunter down to the water at the usual time:-))