Straight after the Balmoral fundraising swim this morning Gaetan Guilhon, Iain McGregor, Michael Christie and myself, all in team cossies, set off for a little adventure swim from Balmoral Beach to Manly Aquarium.
James Goins kindly took our photo as we set off just in case it was the last… He also took our clothes as souvenirs but thankfully we survived and James and Nicolee found us back at Manly, thanks very much guys 🙂
With a fair amount of anxiety and trepidation (mainly from me I might add) we set off, but within about three strokes we were in the groove and busy enjoying the experience, with Iain holding the left and looking right for traffic and myself holding the right and looking left for traffic we all swam in a line for Grotto point.
After only a couple of stops to patiently let vessels pass before us and whilst seeing the bottom all the way across we were soon on the beautiful rock shelf at Grotto point, which we followed all the way to the point just before Reef Beach. The water was superb; warm and clear and the view was spectacular; a super sized wobbegong, a large puffer fish, rocks covered in flowing sea grass, the occasional jelly blubber (not of the stingy variety) and the odd naked body on the shore as we passed Cobblers Beach… Lots of fishing boats and two outriggers who wished us well after stopping to ask us of our route 🙂
That then left us in sight of home and with the final boat lane to cross which just happened to be beautifully lined with yachts enjoying what appeared to be some kind of circuit race. Uhmm, very pretty to watch but not quite so entertaining if you’re wanting to swim right through the middle of it ! But as luck would have it as we were half way across and a couple of teams chats later, as we discussed different options, a motor boat started to collect their course buoys, they had finished – sweet ! So we enjoyed a clear swim straight through to Manly Aquarium.
It was a truly great swim full of fun and adventure, a truly ‘Bold & Beautiful’ swim 🙂
Thanks for making us do it Iain !
5 comments
Sheri Deacon
April 10, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Well done guys, great effort 🙂
You are definately BOLD and Beautiful xxx
Gaétan
April 10, 2011 at 6:23 pm
I think we need to create a new badge 🙂 Or maybe we can do Spit to Manly badge.
Anyway it was indeed a great swim, and as usual like any swim in the harbour we had some concerns about large toothed fish (forgot what they are called :-)) and boats, but it all went so well and it was so pleasant.
Thanks Iain for the invite, and thanks to you and Jules for waiting for Michael and I, next time I suggest you bring a waterproof book 🙂
This 4.5km swim felt like a 10 really… need to resume Bolderdash to get some more practice 🙂
richard a
April 10, 2011 at 6:31 pm
well done guys, i even spotted julie and michael working at the bbq in front of the club. you guys are amazing!!
Iain
April 10, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Thank you very much guys.
Really enjoyed that swim as it was something I have dreamed of doing every time I walk the Manly to Spit and look down at the ocean from above.
Happy to go again if anyone is keen!
Collie Dog
April 10, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Magnifico