Today marks one year since Julie moved to Perth to further her studies to become a doctor. It has been an amazing year with the B & B, with many people taking up Julie’s vacant positions to keep B & B up and running. We must be doing something right as the group seems to be growing at a rapid rate, going from 4,000 to 6,500 in just one year. At this rate we are multiplying faster than rabbits.
For those of you who missed her last swim here is a quick reminder


I thought that I would use some of the blog today as a reminder of how Julie has made a change for the better in all of our lives and why we love B & B.
I started swimming by myself and kept on bumping into 120 pink bits of plastic coming the other way. Also the Dolphins told me to swim. How could I resist coming to swim every day. – Dolphin Whisperer

I hurt my knee playing soccer at the World Msters Game – but we still got a silver Medal. Swimming was the answer when running was no longer available plus after emergency back surgery this was the best recuperation & incentive to recuperate – Anne Edwards

I have always loved swimming but with the young kids it’s hard to find time. This morning I arranged with my cousing to swim. Looks like a fantastic day – Marion Enander
To futher my Hollywood Career as an Action Man – Bill McPherson
Living on the northern beaches all my life, this is something i’ve always wated to do. I finally pulled my finger out last saturday & wondered why the heck I didn’t do it sooner. Great bunch of people, awesome location and good for me. Yahoo!!! – Geoff Yates
I started with B&B because I like organising people and I’m bossy – Ian Forster
To overcome my fears and that everyday is unpredictable – Toni Jackson
Fitness, meeting people in local area and the challenge – S.B.
Ladies – Rusty (what a suprise)
It’s not a cult, it’s a religion – Nick Dawkins
“For the girls!” – Robert (i own this)
“To channel my inner Mermaid” Annie Larkin
All my friends who make me laugh without fail with their spirited stories and lovable ecentricities changed my life – Arabella Macpherson
To beat Sterling every day – David
To cool my blood temperature from the night before – Chris Taylor
Love the company & beautiful beach – Joe Earl
To enjoy the crisp, clean waters – Gayle McKnight
Where to I start, words can’t describe it! – Anna
Never regret getting up for a morning swim – P.
Great feeling after swim, best start to the day – Ian
Comradery & meeting everyone in the water and the coffee afterwards
Exercise and the people / friendships – Anita
Connection with friends and getting some exercise in
When i went on holiday to QLD I found myself dying to read the B&B blog every morning & wishing I was there with all you lot and the fishies, not to mention vibrant exciting Manly. I realised I had to swim with the B&B as much as possibly possible. As Shannan Ponton (the biggest looser trainer) put it yesterday “My life is better than your holiday?” He actually has this sign outside of his house. – Elaine De Jager
I am totally addicted, I have withdrawals when I don’t get my fix. Love that there is always someone you know and can talk to and of course the breakfast and social side of the club. My life has never been more social. This is my favourite part of my day – Renae Fowler
So I can annoy people on Facebook – Stephen Coulter
So we can take photos of people half naked and get away with it. – Stephen, Nick, Renae, Sharon, Elaine, Lesley, Mary, Toni & Simon (the bloggers)
Now back to some pics. The crowds are starting to build

Matt & Mick taking on the challenge of the swim. Surely it’s a breeze after doing Tough Mudder Mick.

John’s announcement about heading out from Fairy Bower as the surf was a little deceiving this morning.

(courtesy of Stephen Coulter)

(courtesy of Stephen Coulter)

(courtesy of Stephen Coulter)

(courtesy of Stephen Coulter)

No underwater pics today as the water was a little murky. With a huge group this morning we took up most of Shelly beach and water. Okay slight exaggeration, but there is alot of us and we always manage to attract a crowd.


(courtesy of Stephen Coulter)

(courtesy of Stephen Coulter)

Rainer’s brother Mark is in town from Germany and joined us for the swim this moming.
Mark, Rainer & I

It was a little rough at Fairy Bower to get out of the water but if you timed it you could make the mad dash for the stairs. Isn’t the right Rainer?


My daughter Cheyenne and sister Lara at the wall to great me.

The walk back from Fairy Bower is always a great time to catch up. Here is Elaine with her friends (on the left) she bought along for the swim as well as Lara & Cheyenne .

Others can be so serious taking every opportunity to exercise. (kidding)
Looking good Sarah.

I managed to get a quick pic with Miguel this morning. Thanks Miguel, for always making me laugh on a Friday night.

Bella with her Dad who she bought out for the swim. She even dressed him in a B&B towel.

It is also Julie’s Birthday today. Click on the link below to hear our Happy Birthday sing along at Shelly today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE .
We also need to wish Terry a Happy Birthday for today. Have an awesome day the both of you.
Stats:
Swimmers: 340
Newbs: 38
Water: 21.5c
Sunrise: 6:02am
Sunset: 8:08pm
Have a good one. Renae

I have registered with Elaine De Jager, Cathie Coleman and her sister Kirsty to walk an absurdly long way on the 28th February in the Coastrek team challenge to restore sight to the needlessly blind.
Think of us walking 50km as you enjoy your morning coffee.
Yes, we will be climbing hills, traversing cliff ledges, walking the wilderness, bashing through the bush and suffering in soft sand, all to join the fight to end avoidable blindness.
There will be blisters, chaffing, aching feet, exhaustion and we may lose a few team members along the way…
Not to mention the moments of silence when the team runs out of conversation topics – that might get awkward. : )
Why are we doing this? Because right now, 4 out of 5 people who are blind do not need to be.
They need our help.
We’ll wear the lycra and endure the blisters, your part is easy…
Please sponsor us and support my trek to restore sight.
Your support will give the gift of sight this Christmas.
Simply click on the link below to view my fundraising page and make a donation:
It will only take a few minutes and a tax deductible receipt will be emailed to you right away!
Best of all, you’ll be helping to make a big difference to restore sight through supporting the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation..
AND you can do it whilst avoiding spending your day walking for hours and hours…
Thanks for your support!
How would you like to be part of a Flash Mob in February? The Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay are looking for approx. 6 swimmers to represent The Bold & Beautiful in a flash mob to promote the message Keep Our Sea Plastic Free.
There is a rehearsal on Monday 20 January at 7pm in the Sunset Bar, Shelly Beach (above the Le Kiosk Cafe). A briefing will be given to everyone at the rehearsal then you can choose what you want to do! The timing of the flash mob is to coincide with the Australian Open of Surfing week 8-15 February so we better get rehearsing! Come along or drop the coordinator a line: Samantha Taranto
T/E: +61 432 384 696 / sam@glasscommunications.com.au
B&B Attendance Login
Come on folks – this is the most efficient way to capture your swims. It’s a smart phone friendly website so no need to download, just mark it as a bookmark. There are so many good reasons to use the B&B Login – like no queues, no need for glasses to find your name, and never missing the 7am call.
Log your swim between 5am and 9am for the 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. Happy clicking.
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.
2014 B&B Calendar ON SALE NOW!!
Get one for yourself or pin it up at work. Give one to friends or send them overseas to the family back home. Only $15! BUY YOURS HERE NOW
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



15 comments
Bill McCaffeine
18/01/2014 at 12:34 pm
Great BLOG Renae.
To encourage the paperwork aficionados to mend their ways how about we list the people who use the App ? It should be easy to do electronically and people love seeing their names.
Alternatively, keep losing the paperwork and ignore requests for backdated entries.
I used to teach computing at TAFE Brookvale and am happy to instruct people in using the App. It will be a one day course every full moon, lunch and snacks provided for a cost of $299 each person. Payment by Mastercard, Visa and Paypal is not allowed. Must be used bank notes, with non sequential serial numbers, in a brown paper bag. Or just tuck the notes into the side of my Speedos as I come out the water, or sit having coffee more likely. Satisfaction guaranteed, no correspondence will be entered into, buy now as a price increase is imminent, you owe it to yourself, do yourself a favour, this is the future of attendance taking, amaze your friends, brings tears to the eyes of Royalty, be the first on your block to do this and ….. where do you get it ?
OK I lied.
But stop queueing up to tick a box and making other people do the electronic entry for you, you’d smack your kids’ legs for less !
Renae Fowler
18/01/2014 at 12:38 pm
Hey Bill, You can actually see who signed in on the B&B attendance list on the blog so that one is solved but feel free to coach anyone who needs help with the program. Sounds like your looking for some friendships. 😉
Mary
18/01/2014 at 12:48 pm
How would you like to be part of a Flash Mob in February? The Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay are looking for approx. 6 swimmers to represent The Bold & Beautiful in a flash mob to promote the message Keep Our Sea Plastic Free.
There is a rehearsal on Monday 20 January at 7pm in the Sunset Bar, Shelly Beach (above the Le Kiosk Cafe). A briefing will be given to everyone at the rehearsal then you can choose what you want to do! The timing of the flash mob is to coincide with the Australian Open of Surfing week 8-15 February so we better get rehearsing! Come along or drop the coordinator a line: Samantha Taranto
T/E: +61 432 384 696 / sam@glasscommunications.com.au
Renae Fowler
18/01/2014 at 12:51 pm
sorry Mary. I have now added it to the blog.
Anna McC
18/01/2014 at 1:29 pm
Beautiful blog, Renae! What an issue!
Little Tiger
18/01/2014 at 1:55 pm
Huge Happy Birthday wishes Jules. Have a wonderful day. xxxx
Anne E
18/01/2014 at 2:34 pm
Tough swim for 6Kers this morning. This is for Mel b….
Mel, Mel, you swam so well
Despite that bumpity, swallowy swell
At every leg you rang the bell
To start again and what the hell….
You ended up as Swimmer of the Day
Elaine de Jager
18/01/2014 at 2:40 pm
Fantastic blog Renae! You do a great job and once again thanks and Happy birthday to Jules Isbill! Thank you to those of you who have already sponsored us for Coastrek. It is going to be tough up and down those tracks and through the soft sand but all worth it to help restore sight to so many through The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Pacific Jules
18/01/2014 at 2:57 pm
What a lovely blog, thanks Renae !
B&B has certainly change my life I can assure you, you guys totally rock my world !
What an absolutely wonderful you tube clip, you all signing happy birthday, thank you all so much. I miss you heaps but I’m SOOOOO thrilled B&B is going from strength to strength with hundreds of swimmers loving it everyday and a fabulous bunch of volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep it the wonderful inclusive daily activity for everyone! You’re all very special and so much appreciated. I miss you all heaps. Thanks again for the song and the memories xxx
Bill Hyman
18/01/2014 at 3:08 pm
So good to be back in the water after a 3 week break moving house from Rose Bay to Balgowlah. I’ve been swimming for 18 months driving from the Dark Side 3-4 mortnings a week but now …. I can ride the pushy from Balgers!! Thanks Jules and Happee Birthdee and thanks to all those who make it happen. It truly is a phenomenon. My new home in Jackson St, Balgowlah, harbour side of the shops, 100m from Sydney Rd, has welcoming rooms waiting to be filled. It’s a great house, light, roomy and close to everything. Do get in touch if you’re looking for accommodation in a friendly household – 044 757 3420. Not Bill Mcaff, not Bill the Scotsman. It’s Bald Bill from Rose Bay.
ros
18/01/2014 at 3:19 pm
Lovely blog Renae – I really enjoyed reading everyone’s comments (including the silly ones).They do reveal SO much about each of the authors. I must say you’ve prompted my curiosity about what you and Miguel are doing together every Friday night …
Bill Hyman
18/01/2014 at 3:29 pm
So good to be back in the water again after a 3 week break moving house from Rose Bay to Balgowlah. I used to drive from the Dark Side 3-4 times a week just to swim but now I can ride the pushy from Balgers!! Thanks so much Jules and Happee Birthdee and thanks to all those who make it happen. It truly is a phenomenon. There are welcome rooms in my new house in Jasckson St, Balgowlah just waiting to be filled if anyone is looking for a place to rest their head. It’s a great house, light, roomy and close to everything. do get in touch if you are looking for accommodation – 044 757 3420. It’s not Bill McCaff. It’s not Scottish Bill but bald Bill from Rose Bay.
Tayls
18/01/2014 at 3:37 pm
as usual Renae you put in such a huge effort with the blog. Well done. One minor error…Sarah wasn’t exercising….she was struggling to find the bench after last night !
Ian McK`
18/01/2014 at 4:02 pm
Love your work Renae, keep it up !
Lips
18/01/2014 at 8:05 pm
Good to have you back in the hood Bill! Nice catching up this morning at Manly Wine.
Renae, superb blog, as usual. My brother (Marek) says thanks for the blog photo. My mission is to turn him into a full fledged blog tart during his two weeks in Manly.
Happy Birthday Jules!