The bold pink cappers who made it to the swim today on another wet and rather dreary day were rewarded with the return of Silky the lone dolphin!!! She swam with The Drinks Express at 6.30am and again with the 7amers! I was lucky enough to swim with Silky on 3 different days in January and so was so excited to hear she was back today! You never know what you are going to get in Cabbage Tree Bay, but you have to ‘Show Up’ to see it!
For those of you that don’t know Silky’s story. .. She lived and played happily in Sussex Inlet and got used to people and families. However, ‘the authorities’ believed she needed to be with other dolphins, so sedated her, put her on a boat and released her to a pod of dolphins near Sydney. She played with them for half an hour and then went off seeking humans again. She has been recorded swimming with surfers at Dee Why, playing with swimmers at Palm Beach but we all know that her favourite place is Cabbage Tree Bay with us swimmers!
A happy, bright bunch of Booty Campers at 6.45am!
Whatever the weather, still utterly gorgeous in our favourite corner…
This lovely lot look even happier soon when Sterling and The Drinks Express come in with news that Silky swam with them at The Point and at Shelly!As Drinky pointed out she is looking really healthy too even though her behaviour is different from other dolphins (who like to be with pods of dolphins rather than swimmers!)
Katrina is joined by her daughter Tessa this morning. What a great morning to choose Tessa!
A few waves to get through today but nothing too scary. Great to get back in from the beach after the wild conditions of the last few days sent most of us from Fairy Bower.
I am beside myself with excitement as we head out. I know from past experience Silky often makes an appearance at The Point and again at Shelly!
And she did!
She came right up in the middle of this group of swimmers. She really gets up close. There’s no leaving a ‘respectful distance’ with Silky she just loves human contact!Please feel free to post your comments about swimming with Silky on blog comments below!
It’s Mel’s 20th Winter swim!
Just as the ‘Let’s Go’ was shouted, Silky appeared again! The photos aren’t that clear as the water was quite murky but you can see how amazing it is to watch her as she turns upside down, chases fish and tries to come close for a stroke.
I don’t like to boast but I have a feeling Silky recognises my voice as i called ‘Silky, Silky’ a couple of times and she appeard! (Move over ‘Dolphin Whisperer Shady Shauny!!)
Just a few of the photos I took off Silky back in January when the water was clearer!
Silky did stay around 2 consecutive days in CTB in January so you must swim tomorrow!
Just a couple of interesting clips below I preloaded yesterday when I thought I’d be pushed for what to write about today!
…
Do you know we have been really lucky this year in that we haven’t had many jimbles or blue bottle stings. Other years have been shockers.
Watch microscopic evidence of a jelly fish firing it’s venom
http://sciencealert.com.au/features/20141808-26031.html
Interesting article where swimmers explain what to do if you come across a shark swimming. Bikinis are a much better deterrent than a wetsuit apparently our www’s will be pleased to hear!
http://dailynews.openwaterswimming.com/2014/08/swimmers-explain-what-to-do-during.html
Winter Badge season – 233 already qualified.
There are 80 swimmers who can also qualify with just a couple more swims! Check out the stats from the attendance page. The badge ceremony is being held straight after the swim on 21 September at the Royal Far West.
B&B i-Log
Log your swim ANYTIME of day using the B&B i-Log. This is the best and easiest way to ensure your swims are recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster ugoboyo@gmail.com (This is not a link so please copy and paste into your email). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to set up your log in.
Staying safe
Are you prepared for the return of the surf? 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.
The Stats
Regulars: 50
Newbie: 0
Temp: 16.8 degrees
Sunrise: 6.27 am
Sunset: 5.28 pm
Have a great Wednesday everyone!
20 comments
Mary
20/08/2014 at 10:33 am
Elaine. What a special day. I can feel your excitement. I reckon you might be doing a double tomorrow
Claudia
20/08/2014 at 10:42 am
OMG it was absolutely amazing!! Silky is really adorable!! Very friendly, too cute! 🙂 Great blog and great pictures Elaine! Thanks for sharing them!
Bootycampbuffman
20/08/2014 at 10:45 am
I think Elaine did a triple today staying with Silky !
Move over Ted, Silkys in Bed !
Lips
20/08/2014 at 11:11 am
Well done Elaine! What a scoop!
What I loved most about this morning’s encounter was to see how blasé some of the regulars were when Silky was trying to have a play with us at the point.
There she was, doing her little tricks, trying to impress us. And then Ian just shouted Let’s Go. And off we went. No one wants to be late at Shelly.
And then she followed us like a dog.. hilarious!
La Cordukes
20/08/2014 at 11:28 am
Nearly didn’t go this morning then nearly went in at half way…swimming with Silky was an incredible experience and to think I could have just been laying in bed and missing all this. Thanks for the great photos Elaine
Robert G
20/08/2014 at 12:48 pm
Well what a morning. Well done with the photos Elaine. How do you do that?? Elaine, Claudia and I were the last group back across the bay and were literally rounded up by Silky and for some minutes were played with. Alongside, underneath and at times eyeballing us. Being out there on our own, I think we would all admit it became a little concerning so we swam back to the surf zone together where Silky met up with us again. At one stage she snuck up right behind Elaine and appeared to be giving her a kiss on the back of the head. A big wave came through and she, (Silky not Elaine)gave us a demonstration of her surfing skills passing underneath us at high speed cutting across the wave. I eventually had to leave with hypothermia creeping in, (did I mention I was just in speedos…) and then watched from shore as she continued to commune with the surfers. Very special morning
Elizabeth
20/08/2014 at 1:24 pm
Excellent photos. I hope you have got your warmth back Elaine! A
Jill Rankin
20/08/2014 at 1:37 pm
JEALOUS!!!!! will be there tomoz for sure!
Snorkles
20/08/2014 at 1:38 pm
Wow!! A scoop!
Brilliant blog Elaine!
I reckon you qualify as the new dolphin whisperer – what with Sunday display on the harbour side too!
Well done, move over Shaun !!
Lainey Loo
20/08/2014 at 2:10 pm
I reckon I will be Mary!
Lainey Loo
20/08/2014 at 2:14 pm
Thanks for the account Robert and you are really enhancing my reputation as the new ‘Dolphin Whisperer’! I never feel unsafe even when Silky is really close.She seems to be aware of not harming us. I wish I’d seen Silky appear to give me a kiss! I stayed out longer as Derek was surfing and she kept popping up around us!
Lainey Loo
20/08/2014 at 2:15 pm
Thank you so much for your great comments which make the blog much more interesting. The Manly Daily did call so I’ve sent photos and they should be in tomorrow’s paper!
Claudia
20/08/2014 at 2:36 pm
Yes! I also saw Silky coming up right behind Elaine, very very close to her. I can validate Robert’s statement. He was not hypothermically hallucinating at this point yet! 😉
Lips
20/08/2014 at 2:40 pm
And send them a few of Lesbubbles kissing dogs while you’re at it!
Robert G
20/08/2014 at 2:53 pm
No problems Elaine. Just put the cheque in the mail ( or brown paper bag) I just wish you had turned around as Silky came in for a kiss and planted one on your cheek. Now that would have been a story for the Manly Daily….
Tayls
20/08/2014 at 3:59 pm
great blog Lainey. Swimming with Silky was really a special treat & well captured by your diligent lens. Well done
Alyson
20/08/2014 at 4:17 pm
You’re a star Lainey loo!
ros
20/08/2014 at 4:55 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lainey so excited 🙂
David Brown
20/08/2014 at 7:14 pm
Every ocean swim is magically different at Bold & Beautiful and this morning certainly delivered big time.
LSA aka HKTQ
21/08/2014 at 1:29 am
Fantastic and incredible news! We’re having a great time in Paris, but the sights here can’t compete with Silky! Amazing that it was your blog day too, Lainey! I bet she remembers you and recognises your voice:-)))
There’ll be a huge turnout tomorrow for sure! Just what’s needed as the numbers were dropping…