Dear B&B swimmers – all 166 of you down there today –
how good was that swim? This morning
beautiful golden sun bathed the bay with its warming rays. Not at all the prediction given by the weather report at 6am this morning.
Another welcome sight was the Manly Council tractor! Is the weed monster about to be tamed. .
.
That will have to be a story for
another blog because the end result in the Tractor vs Weed match was the weed
won.
And well done swimmers on keeping the path clear for others
out enjoying this stunning morning. Maybe it
was the presence of the ‘boys’ looking very official behind the desk that kept everyone in line.
Not a hint of a snarl from the array of joggers, cyclists,
walkers, or those trying to manoeuvre various craft towards the ocean.
A well worn path has opened up through the weed, with only a very
little patch floating close to shore.
But nothing stops the march of the pink capped swimmers – well maybe the need for a
little chat or three.
Once past the diminished weed patch, we were well and truly
rewarded with crystal clear water and FISH!!
So many today that it was just so lovely to hang in the water and watch
the massive schools swim around you.
There were reports of some slightly larger marine creatures swimming along
side a couple of swimmers as we set out from the point. Consensus did suggest that they were most
likely the dusky whalers – but sadly no cameras were close enough to capture the
moment.
The abundance of fish, sunshine and the absence of rain was just a bit too
distracting as this blogger found herself at times so far behind the rest of
the squad that I needed to channel speedy Jules to catch up. I also heard that the ability to see the
ocean floor all the way across the bay meant that many swimmers didn’t even
notice the two boats now moored in
the bay. . .
Michelle was today’s Shelly Crier. She did a fabulous job announcing the double and
calling let’s go while sounding remarkably like John Kelly!!
Not sure what is going on here, but I caught Ranier is full stretch.
While there are always the speedy few keen to dash back to Manly, today there were little groups of pink caps dotted all across the bay hanging out to chat (did you know that B&Bers can actually talk under water!!), and spot the fish.
Such a beautiful day – such a shame if you missed today’s magic swim. If you need some scientific facts about how good swimming is for you, here are three key points for you.
Why you should swim
- Much in the same way as yoga, the stretching and
the rhythmic breathing in swimming releases endorphins which make you feel
happy. - No other activity can work your cardiovascular
system as hard as swimming without stressing your skeletal system. It’s the
ideal sport if you have stiff joints or painful knees. - Swimming is a cross-training sport that balances
both sides of your body, training whole groups of muscles at the same time.
Do you really need anymore reasons that this to get your gear off? And speaking of getting your gear off. . . The B&B was represented at today’s Sydney Skinny. Photos courtesy of Stephen.
Things to remember
Next week is the absolutely last and final opportunity to
pick up a 6km or a 10km summer badge! There
are a number of swimmers umming and arghing about will they or won’t they. It could be a bumper swim with lots of
swimmers of varying speeds. The badge
ceremony will be held in ‘about a month’ so keep and eye of the blog for the
date. I can tell you it will be a Sunday
after the regular swim.
By flashing your B&B card – in the right places that is –
not only will you attract attention for being a daredevil ocean swimmer, but receive
a discount or special offer as well! Pick
up a B&B card for just $10 from one of the smiley welcoming committee after
the daily swim. Full details of benefits
can be found on the website.
Don’t forget where the point is!!! There is a little bit of a drift
happening. The B&B meeting point is
the first pole.
Catch you Tuesday!
Mary
A late entry of a few stunning photos from Simon Cowell – had to share ’cause they really are lovely.
The
Stats
Regulars: 166
Newbies: 11
Doubles: 12
Temp: 22.4 degrees
Sunrise: 6.32am
Sunset: 7.46pm
25 comments
John S
17/02/2013 at 12:45 pm
how great was the swim today! Just incredible with so many fish.
thanks so much for the great blog Mary, pretty much every image has fish in the background. Like playing Wheres Wally but not having to look up the answer……
😉
Katie
17/02/2013 at 1:18 pm
Stunning swim today, thoroughly enjoyed it. Warm and clear and so many fish!
Michelle
17/02/2013 at 1:27 pm
gorgeous sunrise shots Mary…beautiful day…beautiful swim…and to jules isbill if she’s checking in…how on earth did you project yr voice across the multitudes???
Stephen Coulter
17/02/2013 at 3:00 pm
Some Sydney Skinny Photos – around 1,000 swam! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151304773817638.461306.543327637&type=1&l=c559a91e35
Stephen Coulter
17/02/2013 at 3:00 pm
Some Sydney Skinny Shots! Around 1,000 swam, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151304773817638.461306.543327637&type=1&l=c559a91e35
Stephen Coulter
17/02/2013 at 3:01 pm
Some Sydney Skinny shots, around 1,000 swam… https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151304773817638.461306.543327637&type=1&l=c559a91e35
Little Sarah Abbott aka Hong Kong Triad Queen
17/02/2013 at 4:37 pm
Great pics, Mary & Simon and a really amazing swim. The greatest variety of fish I’ve seen for a long time. Snorkles saw four different kinds of sharks and some sound like they were pretty big…
Would anyone like to do a super-slowie Bolderdash with me (and maybe Lips) tomorrow? Say around 6.00? Jon down with war wounds….
Jen Darvey
17/02/2013 at 4:49 pm
Not many fish to see on the Sydney Skinny just other commonly seen swimming species.
Message to The Management,
Today I have ‘revealed’ myself(exposed myself).
Upon exiting the water at the Sydney Skinny and returning to the spot where I had ‘dropped my gear’ who should have coincidentally have ‘dropped their gear’ at the same spot but had the advantage of having got their gear back on?
Mr iswimtoo and Snorkles(?).
Lucky for me I was able to get one of the last three sarongs the all over bronzed local was saving for the ladies.
If my comments have offended and I have been an intruder I apologise.
B&BwannaB
Stephen Coulter
17/02/2013 at 4:52 pm
Sydney Skinny update, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151304773817638.461306.543327637&type=1&l=c559a91e35
Stephen Coulter
17/02/2013 at 4:55 pm
Photos from this morning’s B&B, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151304765267638.461304.543327637&type=1&l=2b8f4b3d94
Video of Eastern Fiddler Ray, http://youtu.be/-5AQD1YjRWs
Video of Stingaree, http://youtu.be/-L6CZrPyXOo
Stephen Coulter
17/02/2013 at 4:56 pm
Eastern Fiddler Ray video , http://youtu.be/-L6CZrPyXOo
Stingaree video, http://youtu.be/-L6CZrPyXOo
Stephen Coulter
17/02/2013 at 4:57 pm
Aquatic Life from B&B swim this morning, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151304765267638.461304.543327637&type=1&l=2b8f4b3d94
Greg McDonagh
17/02/2013 at 5:00 pm
Heh Michelle,
Could I recommend a good public shouting course.
Next time remember I could have helped you with my ‘Julie -like’ whistle
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
17/02/2013 at 5:18 pm
Fantastic blog. What a stunning morning. And you captured it perfectly Mary!
Those fish photos look unreal. And I would call Photoshop trickery on them had I not been there myself. Visibility and colours really were this good!
Next couple of days look promising. And Little Sarah is out recruiting for slow Bolderdashians. Starting around 6. Without intention of racing back in time for 7am migration to Shelly. In return you get stunning sun rises, lovely tea breaks and intelligent conversation every 400m. Plus, most importantly, a tick in that green folder. Without having to pay!!
Congratus to Elaine, Ted, Wilf, Emer, Robbie and all the other Husky finishers this weekend. You made us proud!
Can’t believe Anna and Snorkles fell for Stephen’s skinny dipping trick. Caution everyone: There is no such thing as an official “Sydney Skinny” swim. It’s you and Stephen. Naked. On a remote harbour beach. Very awkward. I warned you.
Stephen Coulter
17/02/2013 at 5:33 pm
Yes, Sydney Skinny swim was fun in perfect conditions. With HKTQ and the Lips mentoring the sales patter and system works. So skinny swim tours in pink caps can be arranged at Cobblers or other locations by arrangement. Snorkelling does look wrong in those circumstances even though some do insist!
Little Sarah Abbott aka Hong Kong Triad Queen
17/02/2013 at 5:52 pm
We look forward to when you ‘reveal’ yourself with the usual swim gear and pink hat for a 7.00 Shelly swim:)
Little Sarah Abbott aka Hong Kong Triad Queen
17/02/2013 at 5:59 pm
“Without having to pay” unless they’re naked, we should warn them…. Skinny is OK, but a wetsuit might help…. poor Annie froze last time she came….
See you at around 6, Lips and anyone else, for sun rise, tea breaks and intelligent conversation:-))
"Snorkles"
17/02/2013 at 6:21 pm
Stephen told us we would automatically bypass the Triad Queen’s attempts to blackmail everyone on the Pacific Challenge and if we swam with him with a little less than normal on, he would make sure we were elevated to column one!
"Snorkles"
17/02/2013 at 6:31 pm
Snorkels and masks give away way too much information about what is going on under the water!!!
Slow Tedley
17/02/2013 at 6:33 pm
Love the blog Mary
Thanks Rainer(nip man!) You should come and join us next year
Great atmosphere here in Husky.
Congratus to all the huskies!
Big 4 meters east swell and of week.
Not sure about skinny dip Steven maybe next year!
See ya on wednesday
Lesley
17/02/2013 at 6:46 pm
Wow Jen Darvey!! I thought the secret intruder was John Storch / Stephen Coulter… Hence my being “tough”!! have we met?? See u soon 🙂
Lesley
17/02/2013 at 6:49 pm
Eeuuww..Hope there’s no underwater shots!! And how the hell did u sneak a camera in!!!
Little Sarah Abbott aka Hong Kong Triad Queen
17/02/2013 at 6:52 pm
Some people – well you, as AA is already at the top of L1 – will believe anything:-)
Jane
17/02/2013 at 7:00 pm
Fab fish pics Stephen.
Mr iswimtoo
17/02/2013 at 10:28 pm
Not sure we’ll recognise you though with batherson!