19/12/18: Dull but certainly not boring!

The sun may have been having a little sleep in on this slightly dull morning but that didn’t stop the shine emanating from the faces of this lot! Not quite sure why they were pointing but maybe they were having a bet about who would get to Shelly first!

These guys were madly doing a salute to the sun to wake it up and get it moving but their sterling booty camp efforts weren’t working. Must have been a hell of a xmas party. Not surprised – they say all the stars were there!

You know you have serious street cred when you are in the presence of the world champion ironman (left). Or is it the other way around? He’s got street cred for being in the presence of the B&B team! Yeah – that sounds better!

Here are the 6.30s taking off. They look a bit tentative this morning! Where is that sun?

JK hitting the water at 7am and describing the size of the fish he caught recently

Karen correcting JK and demonstrating its real size.

A pink cap disappearing over the top of this huge wave never to be seen again. Ok, the wave wasn’t that big and yes the pink cap did make it back.

Shelly shenanigans bought to you by Michelle, Peter, Janet, Jo and Penny

More Shelly shenanigans by Mary Rainer and Petra

Some patient young lads waiting for the ‘Let’s Go’ whilst posing for the photo.

On your marks…. get set…..

Let’s go!!!

On the way back to Manly, I caught Rainer, Mary and Gemma having a mothers meeting in the middle of nowhere!

Then lo and behold, Emma and Georgina turned up!

After solving the problems of the world, back to shore we went – one arm after another!

Shower, hugs and coffee time. (At first, I thought these were strategically placed yellow arrows but then realised they were ear headphones which was a relief!)

Have a great afternoon everyone (what’s left if it!)

FTB (First Time Blogger) Lucy under the great guidance of Lainey.

P.S. So sorry for the delay in getting this out today.

P.P.S. As my grandma always said “better late than never!”

Stats:
Swimmers:  280
Newbees: 6
Water: 20.2 deg C

SUMMER SWIMS

10km swim Sat 22th December. 7am. Bring own food/water.

As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, it seems appropriate to explain what it takes to earn a Summer badge. Three long distance swims are on offer:

• The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning starting with the 7 amswim. The first 6 km swim will be on Saturday 1^stDecember.
• There is a 10 km swim once a month over summer also starting with the 7 amswim. Dates for these will be announced in the blog. The first will be on December 8th.
• If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30or 7 am.

‘Try a Triple’.  Do the Manly to Shelley return swim 3 times non-stop and earn a triple badge.

Please note, Badges will be awarded to swimmers completing any and/or all of the 3 swims at the times and dates stated above and throughout the Summer months.

You will earn a badge if you complete these swims and log them in iLog. The system will only record authorised 6K or 10K swims that are logged on the appropriate days. Badges will be presented at the Summer Badge Ceremony in March. If you are unsure of the routes and protocols for these swims, please ask at the desk before you swim. When swimming these longer distances, we request that, for safety reasons, you stay with the group. We also request that you do not swim in dangerous conditions. The quest for a little cloth badge is not worth putting your life at risk. Enjoy your swimming.

Notices:

Management is taking a well-earned end-of-year break. Ian and John will both be away between 27 December  and 13 January. Would you like to help out by greeting new swimmers during the management-free weeks?

As you may know, greeting involves asking new swimmers to record their name and email address, handing them a pink cap and letting them know a little about the swim. The most important thing is that they hear the words “You swim at your own risk. There is no water safety.” And you can also let them know about where we swim, where we stop and wait and answer any questions they may have. It’s easy to do and fun to meet the new swimmers. And everybody did a great job last year!

Anne Edwards will be around for most of the first week and then only weekends. If you would like to help, please send Anne the days you are available and she will make up a roster so that we have at least two people every morning. If you know of anyone else who would like to be a part-time greeter, please invite them to contact Anne.  Anne’s email is  gaztek@bigpond.net.au.