This is my first and possibly my last blog as other duties prevail upon me (we do need a Saturday blogger though and I tell you that this effort only took15 minutes so get involved).
The photos below tell a multitude of stories and I will start by emphasizing the philosophy of the Bold and Beautiful; we are inclusive, we are social and we try to be as safe as possible. And now onto the photos.
The first is a photo of the point (I even left a bit of the corner telegraph pole to emphasize). The point is where all 3 parts of our philosophy come together. We should all wait there to be inclusive, social and to make sure that all swimmers are OK and safe (not just the ones who appear to approach the halfway mark as there own personal point). We don’t compete on the swim so there is no reason to creep forward. I am usually one of the last swimmers at Shelly and can vouch that embarrassment is not an issue when coming in last.
The second photo is what you should see when you are at the point. The clubhouse. If you can’t see it you’re not at the point….repeat after me.
About the start, please wait for the official let’s go (see philosophy again) and don’t be a rogue caller. The official let’s go happens about 7-8 minutes past 7am when all the swimmers are out or approaching.
The 3rd photo should be looked at long and hard as it’s going to disappear soon. What happens now is that one of the volunteers, but generally Ian, takes the books away and spends his own time entering all of the ticks into the system manually. By using the iLog system and electronically ticking, it means that the volunteers don’t have to spend that time needlessly, so please help us to help you keep the group going by getting on iLog. We value our time too.
The 4th photo shows 2 of management holding back the hordes from entering the water too early. What we find happens is that if swimmers get to the point too early, they drift past the point (please see earlier comments).
The last photo is of 3 of the management team (JK Jnr was drying her hair).
I trust that that was informative and not seen just as the musings of a tiring volunteer.
Statistics for today;
257 swimmers
14 newbies
22.3 degrees warm
See you all tomorrow, JK snr.
27 comments
Lesbubbles
12/04/2014 at 11:06 am
Love it!! Haha
Kari Baynes
12/04/2014 at 11:18 am
Well said!!!
The reasons you outlined above are all the reasons, why I get up at 5am, walk the dog, get in the car and cross the Harbour and Spit bridges to swim with the B&B. I feel safer with the group when we adhere to waiting at the point and swimming together and then waiting at Shelly for the return. It is not a race as you clearly said.
Thank you for posting this blog.
Robster
12/04/2014 at 11:19 am
Might have a crack at this “blogging” thing. I guess I need to actually make it to the swim though….
LSA aka HKTQ
12/04/2014 at 11:29 am
Good work and thanks for sorting out the JKs – never know which anyone is referring to but now we have it from the Management: JK Snr and JK Jnr. Assume JK Jnr has agreed to this official arrangement:-)
LSA aka HKTQ
12/04/2014 at 11:30 am
I think you need to do a regular blog to get you back swimming with us, Robbie…
John Kelly
12/04/2014 at 11:33 am
Yes Junior is very happy being Junior to me
Regards John Kelly
Lesbubbles
12/04/2014 at 11:37 am
I’m just pleased to have a decent photo of me for once on da blog! 😉
LSA aka HKTQ
12/04/2014 at 11:41 am
2 decent photos without even having to do any of those complicated underwater manoeuvres! You stole the show, Lesbubbles!
Slow Ian
12/04/2014 at 11:58 am
For those who stayed in bed due to the forecast massive swells and stingers, we had neither today. Conditions ideal (Photo 1). Bigger waves forecast for tomorrow, but hopefully not in our little corner of the world.
If you want to take John’s advice and become an I-logger, just email me (ugoboyo@gmail.com) and I will send you the necessary instructions.
Ianmck
12/04/2014 at 12:04 pm
For those who may have missed something in the blog here it is …
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203119952455637&set=pcb.10203119977816271&type=1&theater
Thanks Mary.
Danish Prince
12/04/2014 at 12:10 pm
And some more photos…. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152128845737638.1073741902.543327637&type=1&l=4c232da917
Rusrt
12/04/2014 at 12:17 pm
Hear hear JK. It’s all about the B+B philosophy!
Simon
12/04/2014 at 1:13 pm
“Like” – especially the inclusive point of the point ( from Belrose)
Deb H
12/04/2014 at 1:17 pm
We’ll put !!
Ban the books no log in electronically no log in !!
Pacific Jules
12/04/2014 at 2:00 pm
Great blog and well said JK Snr !
You’re a natural 😄 x
Elizabeth
12/04/2014 at 2:02 pm
I am torn. On the one hand I like to leave a bit early because unlike JK I am actually slow. But also I feel compelled to follow rules as very clearly outlined above….
Vanessa
12/04/2014 at 2:40 pm
Very offical JK!
Bernhard
12/04/2014 at 3:16 pm
Congrats to your 500k Elizabeth. Pity I couldn’t be there to give you a big hug. Lane Cove rocks.
LSA aka HKTQ
12/04/2014 at 3:24 pm
Well pointed out, Bernhard! Yes, congratulations, Elizabeth and look forward to another double together during the week before I leave. You’re an inspiration!
Nick Dawkins
12/04/2014 at 5:36 pm
I read that whole blog in a scouse accent
Lips
12/04/2014 at 6:14 pm
Here’s To The Crazy Ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The 6:59ers. The halfway drifters. The round pegs in the
square hole that is point etiquette.
They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. And while some may see them as non-inclusive, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can start swimming early – are the ones who DO.
John Kelly
12/04/2014 at 6:35 pm
What ????
Regards John Kelly
Sid Astbury
12/04/2014 at 7:06 pm
I leave early midweek because I’m a slow swimmer and I don’t like to keep people waiting at Shelley. I can keep up at weekends when there are lots of people but midweek the standard is much higher. Regards, Sid
Huw Gill
12/04/2014 at 7:13 pm
totally agree, well said JK
Elaine de Jager
13/04/2014 at 11:08 am
Hope your swim was Ok today (Sunday) Elizabeth. We were a bit worried as didn’t see you after the swim.
John Kelly
13/04/2014 at 11:25 am
I saw Elizabeth after she did her double. She was in good nick.
Regards John Kelly
DW
13/04/2014 at 12:07 pm
That was hilarious JK
Your a natural blogger.
🙂