12/10/2014 – Dreams Do Come True

Another stunning morning and huge turnout with over 150 swimmers here at Manly Beach. Lips and Lesbubbles reporting for blog duty.

 

After a wild night of music, wine, and debauchery, most swimmers still made it back to the beach in time for the 7am main event.

 

Now, there has been a lot of talk about speed and competition lately. It all started earlier in the week with The Bishop throwing down the blogging gauntlet on Thursday (‘The Elite A-Team’), putting foward the notion that there might be a need for further subdivisions within the A-Team. Leading to many of the regular swimmers in the peloton asking themselves whether they had what it takes to join the A-Team.

The whole topic was then taken to another level by Zig-zagging Zedder Zab’s fantastic ‘Team Omega’ blog yesterday.

So today, we want to bring you an inspiring story. A story of a girl and her dream. For privacy reasons, we won’t reveal her full name. Let’s call her simply Lesley.

 

Lesley has been swimming with the Bold and Beautiful for over 50 years. From her humble beginnings with floaties and flippers, she made her way up the ranks with hard work and determination.

 

Driven by one dream – to compete with the best, the fastest – or to put it more simply, to join The Elite A-Team:

 

Now, The A-Team isn’t a club you can simply ‘join’. But knowing the power brokers in the group is a good start..

 

Another good move is to pre-wire other fast swimmers and inform them of your intentions to apply for A-Team membership..

 

Being seen in the company of fast swimmers goes a long way..

 

And of course, most importantly, when in the presence of actual A-Team members, play it cool.

 

So today was the day. Lesley felt ready. And conditions looked promising as we all walked into the water at 7am.

 

 

 

 

Shelly Beach was buzzing..

 

And then everything happened so fast. Almost dream-like. Before she knew it, Lesley found herself wedged between the Bishop and Sterling. Ready to race.. wait for it.. the A-Team!!

 

Remember Lesley, play it cool! Play it cool!

 

Don’t get distracted by the Blog Tarts, who (albeit in great form today) are really just a side show to the main event.. the A-Team return race!

 

Only seconds to go now. Everyone’s waiting with bated breath for John’s official ‘Let’s Go!’..

 

This is it!!! The moment your whole life has been leading up to! Lesley is off to a great start..

(note the false start by Peter – but hey, it’s his birthday today)

 

 

While Lesley was off racing The Elite A-Team, others took it easy and posed for the blog cameras..

 

No one really knows who won the race. Word at Manly Wine was that it was close. A photo finish. For all we know, Lesley might have gotten out at Halfway with Sterling. But none of that really matters. What matters is that she gave it all. And that’s all that counts.

Being congratulated by Brad below – life really doesnt get much better than this.

 

Patrick posing for a photo with the newly awarded A-Team member..

Quote: ‘I was really trying to keep up with Lesley but she’s just too fast. I’m not suprised she finally joined the A-Team. The only surprising thing is that it took so long.’

 

What a momentous day in Lesley’s life. What an inspiration. Dreams do come true.

Let us leave you with this photo of Lesley and The A-Team making their way across the road to Manly Wine. Their energy is infectious!

 

Never give up. Follow your dreams. There is a little Lesley in all of you!!

Signing off – Lips and Lesbutt

 

(c) singoff picture by Lesbutt

 

Stats:

Swimmers: 157

Swimmer Of The Day: Jenny Kent

Newbs: Plenty

Water Temp: 19ish

Sunrise: 6:16am

Sunset: 7:05pm

Have a great Sunday!

 

 

Monthly Dinner – Special Guest Speaker

Bluewater Restaurant – Tuesday 14 October at 6.30 pm

October’s monthly dinner features one of our swimmers, Penny Berents, who is a marine biologist and currently a Senior Fellow at the Australian Museum Research Institute. Penny has been swimming and diving in Sydney waters for more than 40 years. Her talk will focus on the animals of Cabbage Tree Bay, both those that we see on our swims and the smaller more cryptic beasties that we don’t see but are important in the ecosystems of the Bay.

Usual deal: Dinner is only $20 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of mains to choose (incl a vegetarian option), corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff. Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL: To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please BOOK HERE NOW

 We have a half price deal for BnB swimmers who want to visit the Freshwater Wellness Community Festival at Harbord Diggers on Sunday 19th of Oct from 10am. For more info and half price tickets go here:

http://www.maitrifitness.com/articles/embrace-life-live-life-festival-19th-oct

Shop  29 Cross Street Brookvale  Phone 02 80849913

Staying safe

Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.