14/2/14 – Can You Feel it?

Happy Friday morning everyone!

From Kara at Heart Research Australia:
 
Well I did it! I managed to make it down on time to issue out the red caps for your red cap swim for Heart Research Day. I was so pleased to see a sea of red at 7:05 as you all headed out, it looked fantastic. You are on track for kilometres and in fact with all the other Australians involved in the virtual relay we have nearly lapped the map of Australia! Some great donations have been coming in, but don’t stop, heart research is expensive and we need your help to find new ways to diagnose, prevent and treat Australia’s biggest killer. Thanks again!!! I am looking forward to seeing the photos!!!

What we really need to do is get our friends to pledge $1 for each kilometre we swim.. easy! It only works out at about $50 per person if we all do it!

An anonymous B&Ber donated $500 today!

..and now down to business…

Happy Valentine’s Day, shoppers!

Here’s our “Couple of the Day” … Eric and Mary.. with an admirer!

There are a lot of ways to find love.. this is not one of them….

Booty Camp.. well… what can we say… Proposals and exercises inspired by the Karma Sutra were the order of the day…

3 virgins started Booty Camp today – none finished…

That’s right Robbie… Booty Camp is on again Monday…

Bella – not sure if this is her “I’ve been a good girl” or “I’ve been a very baaaaaaad girl” face

Time for a bit of “Where’s Wally” – can you find her?

Congrats to Lee – 1000kms! That’s a lot of nips from Rosie 😉

OK… let’s see some Luuuurve…..

 

Awwwwwww …

Tony is looking the business …..

 

Time for a quick shot of us all for the records….

 

The sky was very grey and the waves are now NE – just for that extra fun getting in..

The trip over to Shelley was a little bouncy – we love it!

 

Becks and Dr Jane spreading the love…

Everyone wants to hug the Boss….

Dunno who these 2 were… anyone recognise them??

So here’s the underwater action for the week….

Saw these guys – They are called  “Smallscale Bullseye”

They normally hang under the rocks quite deep and they’re quite shy…

 

So many juveniles everywhere … these are trevally having their own party..

 

This Wobbie looked pregnant..

Here’s some info about our little friend..

Wobbegong is the common name given to the 12 species of carpet sharks in the family Orectolobidae. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean and eastern Indian Ocean, chiefly around Australia and Indonesia, although one species (the Japanese wobbegong, Orectolobus japonicus) occurs as far north as Japan. The word wobbegong is believed to come from an Australian Aboriginal language, meaning “shaggy beard”, referring to the growths around the mouth of the shark of the western Pacific.

Wobbegongs are bottom-dwelling sharks and spend much of their time resting on the sea floor. Most species have a maximum length of 1.25 metres (4.1 ft) or less, but the largest, the spotted wobbegong, Orectolobus maculatus, and banded wobbegong, O. halei, reach about 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length.

Wobbegongs are well camouflaged with a symmetrical pattern of bold markings which resembles a carpet. Because of this striking pattern, wobbegongs and their close relatives are often referred to as carpet sharks. The camouflage is improved by the presence of small weedlike whisker lobes^[1] surrounding the wobbegong’s jaw, which help to camouflage it and act as sensory barbs. Wobbegongs make use of their relative invisibility to hide among rocks and catch smaller fish which swim too close, typical of ambush predators.

Wobbegongs are generally not dangerous to humans unless they are provoked. They have bitten people who accidentally step on them in shallow water; they may also bite scuba divers or snorkellers who poke or touch them, or who block their escape route^{[citation needed]}. Wobbegongs are very flexible and can easily bite a hand that is holding on to their tail.^[2]

They have many small but sharp teeth and their bite can be severe, even through a wetsuit; having once bitten, they have been known to hang on and can be very difficult to remove.^[3]

 

Some more stripeys playing in the shallows near Shelley….

 

 

We saw some Duskies – great to see them back, there was 4 in one area…

There have been rays all week in the bay – here’s a lovely Eagle Ray

 

 

 

 

 

 

…and some resident old wives – not minding Valentines Day at all…

 

 

 

 

The Diamondfish are getting more inquisitive too…

Diamondfish

Dr Jane made some beautiful little Valentines Day cakes and Heather also made some mini pecan pies, which disappeared before I could get pics of them!

..and then some people always get lucky….

Stats:

Swimmers: 156

Newbs: 5

Water: 21.7c

Lurve: 100%

Have a great day – hope you all get lucky! Nick D

 

February is Heart Research Month, and we’re raising $1 for every kilometre we swim during the month.  

We need to start kicking this along!  The swimming is going ok, but a little more for the $$$$ would be great. Here’s the update…

https://redfebrelay.everydayhero.com/au/bold-beautiful-swim-squad-manly

B&B i-Log

Almost 50% of swimmers are now using the B&B i-Log. Log your swim ANYTIME of day using this really efficient and easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster: ugoboyo@gmail.com He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.

Summer badge swims

Every Saturday during summer there will be a 6km swim – usual route is to Freshwater and back; then once a month there is a 10km swim – this is to South Curl Curl and back.  However, the final route depends on conditions that day so it is a good idea to arrive a little early to have a briefing from the designated swim leader.  Both swims kick off at 7am.

The proposed date for the next 10km swim is this Saturday, 15 February depending on conditions.   (This date will depend on final confirmation of local surf carnivals so keep checking the blog for updates).

Bolderdash during summertime

This daily swim to Queenscliff and back DEPARTS the surf club at 5.50am.  As these are generally intimate groups, please WAIT for everyone in the water before heading off.  Do buddy up with someone – great to be with someone who has the same pace – that way everyone is ‘accounted for’ at Queenscliff.

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.