26/01/2012 – Happy Australia Day !!

366 Bold & Beautiful swimmers that ticked, so it would be well over 400 !!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY EVERYONE !!!

What a fantastic start to the day !  Despite the grey skies and decent surf we still had a fantastic turnout, a wonderful swim and a tremendous morning together in true Aussie style.  All sticking together, looking out for each other and most importantly having fun together.

A massive thank you to Greg McDonagh who did a tremendous job starting us off and getting us into the spirit with a fantastic rendition on the trumpet, of which we all heartily joined in, of Advance Australia Fair before we launched into the water for our swim.

Our fancy dress swimmers were a sensation, we had Pete the Pavlova, Brendan the Vegemite on toast, Yasmin the Lamington and Stephen the fairy bread.  Brilliant !!!  You guys went down a treat… I’m sure the fish appreciated the contribution too 😉

The majority of people swam out through the surf but due to conditions a fair number took the peaceful option and walked around to half way beach to start their swim, all coming together at Shelly Beach.

We were joined by our local member Mike Baird and Team Aidan who are swimming in the Cole Classic next weekend to raise money for the Kids’ Cancer Project.  If you’d like to support team Aidan and this great cause please click here

Thank you to everyone who joined in this morning and especially to all of our swimmers who chose to join in on craft, helping to make the swim such a relaxed and pleasant occasion for everyone.

I must extend a special mention however, to Greg Bennett and Mark Kelly who joined in especially again this year with neighbours and friends on their stand-up paddle boards just as they did last year.

It was wonderful to have such a vast age range from, I think, 7 was the youngest to our most senior participant, Bruce Paterson who turns 83 in a few days

Thank you also to Manly Wine who put on a superb brekkie for us all after the swim.

As you are aware Jenny Knapman and myself had to rush straight off to Manly Council for the Australia Day Ceremony.

I am extremely proud and honoured to have been awarded as the inaugural ‘Manly Sportsperson Of The Year’ for the Bold & Beautiful.

Thank you so much to Jenny Knapman for being the accidental reason B&B ever began.  To Jenny, Anita Keelan, Cynthia Alley & Deb Hanson for swimming on that first day just over 3 years ago and for nominating me along with others for this award.  To every single person who has ever swum with B&B, embraced us and supported us.  To Michael who helps out with everything behind the scenes but always slides under the recognition radar, as do many other wonderful friends.  Without you all B&B would never be.  A sincere and heartfelt thank you to you all !!

Thank you also Jenny, for making the first ever speech of your life on this occasion today, you were brilliant !  If you missed it you can enjoy it here courtesy of Stephen Coulter.

It was so lovely to see so many of you at the ceremony and especially Jonny Schaffer who was in the audience in his pink cap 🙂  Thanks guys !!

I am so proud to be a part of B&B, to know you all and to be the recipient of this Australia Day award.  Thank you !!!

Long may B&B continue and here’s to many more swims and many many more wonderful friends !!

Happy Australia Day everyone and congratulations to everyone who became Australian today !!  What a damn good choice 🙂

Last but not least…. a very happy birthday to Charlie Camphin today too !! 🙂

Water Temperature 24.0
Air Temperature 21.5
Sunrise 6.10am
Sunset 8.05pm
High Tide: 11.11am
Low Tide: 5.37pm