120 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.
To quote James it was a day of sea indulgence this morning 🙂 
We had another first this morning… We had a new first time swimmer this morning; Jon Rossiter, who is getting married this afternoon.
John wanted to do something exciting on his wedding morning and he chose to swim with us !! Love it John, we are very happy to share in a little part of your exciting day. Welcome and congratulations.
The water was beautiful down at our protected southern corner, with everyone enjoying a lovely Shelly swim.
An amazing 21 swimmers continued on for the 6km summer badge swim. A fun filled swim it was too… As we got up towards Queenscliff the Bommie broke out to sea making a beautiful display, which wasn’t however quite appreciated by all, so 15 of us turned around for a mid-swim re-route (we’re getting good at those ;-)). We had a gorgeous swim back to Manly, then into Shelly, back to Manly point, then into halfway beach to complete the distance and drop off a couple… Vicki 😉 then just for a little bonus distance the rest of us swam back to Manly and timed it perfectly with the other 6 heroic swimmer (Ben, Brendan, Gaetan, James, Mark and Peter) who continued on past the Bommie up to Freshie and back. I think we made a good call on the re-route as they had a rock ‘n roll swim across to Freshie and Gaetan coped a few nasty bluies for the team.
A fantastic effort to all 21 swimmers who qualified for their 6km summer badge this morning ! You can see who they are on today’s daily attendance as they have a super six status next to their name – cute hey !
Bob, Madlen and Neil swam stroke for stroke for the whole 6km like the loyal 3 amigos they 🙂
A extra special congratulations to Bob Peterson, Derek Dreyer, Madlen Altstaedt and Peter Wood who swam the furthest they have ever swum by a long way today 🙂 If I inadvertantly left anyone out my apologies and please let us know.
We also had 5 distance daemons; Ben, Brendan, Collie, Gaetan and James who set off early for a Bolderdash, they all then continued on for the 6km summer swim with the rest of us too, so that’s 9kms for the DD’s this morning. Damn impressive guys !!
I think a couple of swimmers, led by Sam Evans, also continued on for a double lap after the Shelly swim too.
Thanks to Gaetan for the beautiful golden photo and to James for the other fantastic photos this morning. 
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON OUR CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE SWIM TOMORROW !!! We will have a plan b if the conditions are not favourable so please still come down.
If the conditions become clearer during the day one way or another, collectively we will comment below, so please check again later today.
Our ever social, lovely B&B Cougars have organised drinks for anyone and everyone who would like to join them at the Sable Bar (upstairs at the Manly Pacific) tomorrow afternoon at 5pm followed by dinner if you wish. Everyone is welcome so please don’t be shy ! Pop down and enjoy some Christmas cheer if you’re around.
Tim’s fact of the day: “The word pacific means peaceful. However, the Pacific Ocean is far from peaceful. Thousands of volcanoes rise up from the Pacific Ocean.”
Please note there will be a change to the breakfast menu at Manly Wine as of Monday. Manly Wine are not going to be doing a buffet breakfast at all (not even for hotel guests) anymore. Our fantastic special B&B breakfast still applies but the buffet will just no longer be available.
Water Temperature 20.7
Air Temperature 18.0
Sunrise 5.39am
Sunset 8.03pm
Low Tide: 7.32am
High Tide: 1.45pm
Last 2 photos taken this afternoon at South Curl Curl
15 comments
Pacific Jules
December 17, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Below is a message copied from the B&B Facebook page from Jon Rossiter:
Jonathan Rossiter also commented on Bold & Beautiful Swim Squad’s post.
Jonathan wrote: “Thanks for the mention folks. I’ll be back after the honeymoon I hope (if my bride lets me….). :-)”
Collie Dog
December 17, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Hi John thanks for swimming with us, I’m sure the swim is a good nerve calmer.
When can we expect our first marriage ceremony or renewal of vowels off the point one morning “half way thru an ocean swim” Sometimes B&B swimmer Rob DeRidder is a fervent marriage celebrant.
I’m out because I live and wallow in sin.
But the wedding dress would be a real challenge, and the tux. There is always body paint I suppose. Rice if was kept dry would be more appropriate than confetti.
A prawn or fish cocktail would be an inappropriate entre.
Hmmm , I wonder if this causes an uncomfortable situation for anyone out there.
John
December 17, 2011 at 2:48 pm
What an impressive array of swimming activities this morning -pre 6km swim,the 6km swim itself etc. Well done to the swimmers who completed their first long distance tour. Great photos from today.
Pacific Jules
December 17, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Just driven up to South Curly and the beach is covered with a blue blanket… as you can see from the photos I have just added to the blog.
According to the weather charts this blue bottle wind isn’t going to ease all night either, so plan B it is.
Meet at usual spot. Walk down to the other end of Ashburner St for a beautiful swim in the Harbour around to Little Manly and back. Followed by brekkie at Manly Wine.
You have the option to swim one way (~1.6km) and walk back or swim both ways (~3.2km). Either way you can leave your clothes on the grass at Ashburner St if you choose and walk back to Manly Wine for brekkie for a great morning together as usual.
Anyone who still wishes to join us on craft or via land is of course still most welcome and appreciated.
Cathie
December 17, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Hey guys – yes South Curl Curl looked pretty rough and lots of blue bottles – Patrick was on patrol this afternoon.
As a ‘non’harbour’ swimmer, I was wondering if anyone has a kayak/canoe/foamy board that I might be able to borrow instead of swimming…
Brendan Maher
December 17, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Anyone interested in an early swim we are meeting at cnr of Ashburner and East Esplanade at 5.55 to do the swim to Little Manly and back before the main swim
Jane
December 17, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Hi Cathie – I have a baby surf ski which I use to explore N. Harbour and pop over to beautiful Reef Beach now and then. It would be perfect I think. I’ll email you my phone no. and we can work out how to get it to Ashburner St.
Tim Holloway
December 17, 2011 at 6:33 pm
We just got off Manly Beach and the bluey’s were blowing in and the PA was warning swimmers – so good call on Plan B. Jules, I’ll join via stand up paddle board for water craft coverage. Tim H
Cathie
December 17, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Jane that would be absolutely fantastic. My email is cathie_f@hotmail.com. THanks so much!!
Cathie
December 17, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Jane I’m going to be out tonight but I’ll check my email later tonight and give you a call early tomorrow!!
Gaetan
December 17, 2011 at 7:31 pm
great call Julie, harbour looked so nice this afternoon! And I had my dose of blueys today! 🙂
Gaetan
December 17, 2011 at 7:34 pm
why not 🙂
Anna Alvsdotter
December 17, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Great call Jules. Anyone worried about their belongings left unattended by the harbour is more than welcome to leave their stuff at my place; unit 1, 17 East Esplanade (the grey house with a rowing boat hoisted up front, entry to the left of rowing boat).
My door is open 🙂
Madlen
December 17, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Now that I’ve earned my first batch I can retire! 🙂 I am really happy about this achievement and want to thank Bob and especially my favorite swim buddy Neil for the great company! Neil, thank heaps for the pawpaw cream to sooth the my sore skin and the banana as the brekkie after 6 km was not enough to get me through my proficiency!
Pacific Jules
December 17, 2011 at 9:44 pm
That’s awesome, thanks heaps Anna !! 🙂