Title courtesy of lovely Jim Hudson today as we sat together at Bluewater post swim…Around 170 folks swam with this amazing group today on such a beautiful Spring morning. The Manly Daily has asked people to snap away this morning showing how Sydney wakes up and hashtag snapsydney. We who swam, ran, booty camped or whatever, were surely in the most photogenic corner of Sydney! Everything was simply perfect, sun shining, calm water, no stingers. As I watched people during the swim, before or after it, they just looked so goddam happy!
Saying that…Behind those smiles we all have our struggles. But starting the day this way is certainly the way to go. On Saturday at 7am we have a Memorial Swim for one of our special swimmers Ed Selby, who as most of you know died of Pancreatic Cancer a few weeks ago. Please bring flowers or petals if you can and we will have a circle at Shelly Beach, throw some of his ashes and think of this lovely guy. He was so grateful for having had the chance to swim with us and meet so many lovely people in the last years of his life. This group meant so much to him… Sophie C is bringing down her PA and setting it up at Shelly and we will listen to his requested song, Disco Inferno by The Tramps as we think of Ed…
Back to this glorious Wednesday…My day started with a run to Curl Curl with a great bunch of people, Manly Beach Running Club at 5.30am this morning.Sunrise 5.42am
We got back to See Booty Camp stretching it out…
Flexible Anna A is Amazing in every way!
The 7am parade. There would also have been many on the way to Queenscliffe doing a ‘Boulderdash’ and a few returning from early swims.
I caught Nicky coming in from an early swim. We’ve been friends for 15 years and have nagged her for years to swim regularly. Now she barely misses a day. (She also very kindly swam with Greg Mcdonaugh when he was recovering and was just doing shorter swims.)
The Bairdfather heads out…
Nick always shivers as he gets in. It’s 19.9 today!
A newbie and his 2 mates at The Point.
Shelly is in the sun now!
John, Guy, Greg and Sam
Think I can only name Louise, Lisa, Dave and Kerry in this photo
This inspiring lady is not only a swimmer. She is a Senior Fellow at The Australian Museum and before retiring was Head of Natural Science. She sails, canoes, cycles, runs in her spare time! Being a Marine Biologist she is a great identifier of species too!
Bob, Rosemary, John and ?
Let’s Go!
The Poggis and Staceys are back from their WA cycling trip and loving being back in Cabbage Tree Bay!
Back at The Clubhouse (yes, I did run back) Martin appears after his early swim to Queensie…
Kelly, Lori, Attracta, Anna and Jalna look so refreshed and very happy!
Murray and Scotty come second 😉 after the ladies.
John Bond announces dates of the 6km and 10km swims in Summer. Every Saturday morning for the 6km, further details bottom of blog.
A large group of swimmers set of early for a Boulderdash swim today and Kerry and Janet were first back!
Legend Dorset!
Lesbubbs, Ted and Derek return from ‘The Ted’s Triangle’!
Michele and Leisa come in from their Boulderdash
Wendy is deservedly proud after her first 3km Boulderdash swim!
Lips is pretty proud to have been the only man with a load of ladies under his protection!
Gemma, Jo, Robyn, Lisa, Melisse and Fiona. What a happy bunch!
An iconic B&B scene…Queue for the shower
Greg with his family makes it on the blog!
This guy is ‘Catch of the Day’ for any lady ‘single and ready to mingle’ swimmers! Trainee street performer Steve is on the look out. (See me for his number 😉
What a lovely family, Lucy, Brad and Millie on their way home after the swim…
Edwina snapped a great photo of some of the Boulderdashers at Queensie!
Beautiful Jelly last week!
Sand Whiting in the shallows
Everyone’s friend and Management Trainee Shaun Denton sneakily had a birthday yesterday but didn’t tell anyone! Happy Birthday Shaun!(Drinks at Skiff Club Sunday arvo, all welcome!)
I know it’s hard to see but details about 6 and 10km swims from John Bond at bottom!
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. Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
The B & B Christmas Party this year will be held on Tuesday 13th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). The theme again this year is simply “Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music by a fantastic rock band “Gluteus Maximus”. The cost is $10 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.
Have a great week everyone 🙂
Important note: the memorial swim for Ed Selby will be on Saturday with the regular 7am start, all welcome to help send him off with his sons and family present 🙂
Have a wonderful day folks!
Lainey Loo
9 comments
Edwina
November 16, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Just beautiful, all of it. I wonder how many truly slow people like me will do the 6km swim?? And I also wonder what sort of headstart we’ll need 😜
Lips
November 16, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Great blog Lainey!
And you made the Sprout Daily:
http://sproutdaily.com/balance-of-opposites/
Michele Franks
November 16, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Great Blog Lainey loo as usual
Lisa B
November 16, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Wonderful blog Lainey! Bright, happy, cheerful, fun. Everyone seemed to have a brilliant swim today no matter which way they went. Beautiful photos!
Lainey Loo
November 16, 2016 at 4:29 pm
Believe me you can do it Ed! I am truly slow and somehow managed to bounce around and do a 10km return South Curl Curl (albeit with 1 flipper and a wetsuit so not as brave as you.)
Shelly
November 16, 2016 at 5:01 pm
What a legend you are “Laney” ! as Sprout Daily calls you.
Great blog.
I can’t wait to be doing a big swim again.
Love you all
Shelly
xoxoxo
Anne E
November 16, 2016 at 6:34 pm
Fabulous photo of you on Sprout Daily, Lainey!
edwina harrison
November 16, 2016 at 11:05 pm
you want to do at least a 6km with me then?
kim
July 9, 2023 at 2:20 pm
fao john bond
Just saw your name and wondered if you are the same person who lived next to us on Scotland Island in 1997?
If you are, would love to get in touch
kim