13/04/2021 – Marine Medics and Milky Water

Dr Michele, Helsy, Lisa and Jane got their colleagues from Northern Beaches Hospital Emergency together today to give our swim a go. For some like Clare it was the first time they’d swam in 20 years but they loved it and I’m sure we’ll see them again! Thanks guys for all you do working in Emergency and helping save lives every day!

These guys said ‘What about us? Take our photo’. I did ask them how many lives they’d saved… but was surprised to hear that Brian and John have saved lives working as Surf Life Saving volunteers. So many heroes in our midst!

This guy Richard is a bit of a hero too. He’s not a swimmer but a lot of us recognise him from seeing him at Manly. He’s got MS but battles on keeping his strength up with a range of exercises like chest-pulls up trees. He has unfortunately lost some vision so can’t drive now from his Newport home but his wife is driving him down and so it’s great to have him back!

Dorset is back in the water after a bit of surgery and is a hero too. He’s a hero for the marine environment and The Seaweed Festival on now at Manly Art Gallery and Museum, which he has had such a lot to do with, is a resounding success! A record number of people visited over the weekend with over 800 people attending workshops. I was lucky enough to attend on Sunday morning and taste a complimentary lunch-box of seaweed goodies. The uses of seaweed are enormous and we have over 3000 species in Australia. It can be used for ‘food, fibre, fertiliser, fuel and face’ as one of the presenters described and is sustainable. Wouldn’t it be great if we could use seaweed instead of plastic? Well apparently this is starting to happen! Exciting stuff!

Free yoga on the beach remember Tuesdays and Thursdays!

These early swimmers were pretty happy after their swim but then again they always seem happy. The surge of endorphins after a B&B swim is huge!

These are ‘The Marine Medics’ at Shelly halfway through the swim.

I was a bit disappointed with the marine life sightings today and only saw Yellowtail, Mullet and Luderick but I know we’ll have better visibility soon and see the beautiful Duskies again.

One from last week.

The Barrel Jellyfish are being eaten up and providing more fuel for our marine residents of Cabbage Tree Bay.

Russian Kate was extra happy today and asked me if she looked different. “I am now a Permanent Resident of Australia” she declared! We’re very lucky to have her!

Lovely to see Lucy swimming after a short break.

Roz was very happy to bump in to her daughter Lucy as she arrived at the swim.

Sue and her badges! She’s swam 6000 kms with the B&B and as most of you know usually swims 5/6kms a day without a wettie or flippers!

Not in CTB but Ted and I had a great time swimming with seals last Wednesday at Montague Island. Would thoroughly recommend!

All for now. Keep swimming

Lainey x