Welcome to
Pi Day!! For the hipster nerds out there
this will be obvious. For the rest of us
this is because it is 22/7 which is – if you remember your school maths –
Pi. π
Continuing
with the numbers, there were 97 brave B&B swimmers this morning,
approximately 11 of which were on the Dinks Express at 6.30am.
It is a
classic Sydney winter day; clear sky, low humidity and cold. The multiple layers might protect us from the
air temp, but with the water dropping to a very brisk 16.7, swimmers have come
to terms with the realisation that winter is here.
The 7o’clock
call goes up, and the seaward movement commences. Some are more joyous about the prospect of a
refreshing dip than others. . .
The Shelly
turnaround is fast; one minute there is a shivering, chattering mob; then they
are gone. Not even the usual frolickers hung
about today.
And so good to see that the rotting weed is being cleaned up! Go Manly Council!
It was a little hazy in the water today. So not too many fishy photos. . .
Then before you
know it, feet can finally touch the sand – another one done!
A magic day for a swim don’t you think?
Call
for extras!!
Over the
coming weekend, (27 & 28 July) one of our swimmers, Naomi Fryer, will be shooting
a documentary about the Bold & Beautiful.
Each day she will be interviewing
a random selection of people on their B&B experience. A special request is
to just act naturally – much like when the Telegraph did their photo
shoot. Should you feel a full blown blog
tart moment coming over you – look for the nearest B&B Blogger.
About
the 100km Winter Badge
Following a
re-evaluation, this badge has been withdrawn.
It has been recognised that notification on the requirement for qualification
– a minimum of 67 swims in the 14 weeks of winter – ideally needed to have been
announced prior to the commencement of the season.
The
B&B Ball is SOLD OUT – totes!
BUT, there’s
a wait list! And it may be that life will get in the way and a few people may have to cancel. So, make sure
your name is on the wait list.
You can join
it here http://tiny.cc/f8ph0w
or via the
QR Code
*Hipsters are a subculture of men and women that value independent thinking,
counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock,
creativity, intelligence, and witty banter.
Hipsters tend to be well educated and often have liberal arts degrees,
or degrees in maths and sciences, which also require certain creative
analytical thinking abilities.
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.
Mary
The Stats
Regulars: 97
Newbies: None – are we
surprised!!
Temp: 16.7 degrees
Sunrise: 6.55am
Sunset: 5.08pm
36 comments
Renae Fowler
22/07/2013 at 12:28 pm
Lovely Blog Mary. Looks like I missed lovely Swim. I will see you tomorrow. Can you please remind me of the dates you will be away from two so I can make sure I have it in my diary. Thanks Mary.
fifi
22/07/2013 at 12:33 pm
Beautiful blog Mary. Captured the chilly day!
I am disappointed about the badge being withdrawn. Love a challenge!
Emer Byrne
22/07/2013 at 12:36 pm
Great blog as always Mary. Renee, super blog yesterday too :). Stay warm!
Tayls
22/07/2013 at 12:38 pm
Didn’t realise I was a hipster til the last bit about the ” maths ” quals. Feel pretty chuffed. I’m going to have a great rest of day now…
lesley
22/07/2013 at 12:46 pm
OMG!!!!!!!!!! That was the COLDEST swim this year for me!!!!!!! The base of my feet were white afterwards and my face was burning!
And coming back into the beach seemed to take AGES …although that could be the rip I was in! 🙂
Marije
22/07/2013 at 1:06 pm
Such a cold swim today! Probably the coldest water I have swum in (except for the Dutch sea when I was a child probably). I get cold again looking at your photos.
DWSS
22/07/2013 at 1:21 pm
Absolutely Fantastic blog Robster!!! Your Best blog EVER.
This has been the best Monday blog I have ever read.
Thought inspiring, witty, inspiring to just get out there and do it.
Robster, my admiration of your talents are growing!!
john S
22/07/2013 at 1:29 pm
The seagulls look happy for the seaweed platter in the penultimate image even if Manly Council is not.
Lovely blog Mary and educational too!
Thank you for your generosity in sharing your time by doing the blog!
Jane
22/07/2013 at 1:42 pm
More Mullet than swimmers today! Even they look a bit chilly, especially in the first pic.
elizabeth
22/07/2013 at 2:23 pm
I am also so disappointed that the 100km bages has been withdrawn. The notice was late it is true but if I swim every day… Are the badge gods open to further pleas?
Diadema antillarum
22/07/2013 at 2:30 pm
No no no DWSS!
Although I concur that today’s blog is the best ever Monday blog, Robster couldn’t blog today, he went shopping for some new Bonds Hipsters.
LSA mentioned this morning that she was going to fill in on Robster’s behalf. And full credit to her! A seamless transition with witticisms and topical comments.
She’s done a great job. thanks LSA!
John.S
22/07/2013 at 2:40 pm
Hi Jane
Got your message, thank you.
When the Blue Damselfish are around they are very flighty and almost every 20c size crevasse on the white rocks has its own Blue Damselfish hiding from my camera.
They weren’t around on the weekend, I had a good look both days hoping to capture their images, but alas none.
I know they were definitely there this time last year and coming into Spring as I got several images and checked the dates.
I’ve only ever seen them about an inch long so I’d love to spot something bigger. I’ll keep looking.
Snorkles
22/07/2013 at 2:40 pm
Please water temp, please warm up for a swim tomorrow morning – my feet are cold just thinking about it!
Robster
22/07/2013 at 2:43 pm
To the core……cuts me to the core….
Best Monday blog ever though Mary!
Ros(-e)
22/07/2013 at 3:31 pm
Great swim: all I can say is that I felt toasty warm swimming in my wetsuit. I can recommend it to all those folks observing how COLD the water was this morning 🙂
DWSS
22/07/2013 at 3:34 pm
Oh sorry Robster. I didnt realise. Hehe
Looking forward to your return oh great asylum one.
Great blog Mary.
lesley
22/07/2013 at 3:47 pm
There’s always badges to get! Summer, winter, 500 kms, 1000kms, even Commemorative Whale badges (which was a year ago on the 24th).
Everyone has to remember there’s a fair amount of admin involved in badges and so on – and it is done by volunteers… particularly Ian. No doubt there will be other badges introduced over the coming years and this 100km winter badge next winter! 🙂
Sparkles
22/07/2013 at 3:56 pm
Fabulous blog as always Mary. Freezing conditions. It’s possible I might be responsible for draining the dam this morning with my hot shower…brrrhhhh
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HKTQ
22/07/2013 at 4:29 pm
Snug in my double wet-suit!
Glad you said the bit about taking ages and the rip. One lady got washed onto the rocks and was quite scratched, I heard.
The ocean’s unpredictable, so always good to buddy-up!
Lips
22/07/2013 at 4:29 pm
What whale badge? Was there a whale badge last year? Tell me more.. (not!!!)
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HKTQ
22/07/2013 at 4:31 pm
You’re amazing – all the way without a wetsuit, swimming at my pace!
Apparently a few decided they didn’t wish to risk hypothermia and made a quick exit at Half-Way.
Lips
22/07/2013 at 4:33 pm
Cold? You call that cold?
I remember ‘summer’ holidays at the Baltic Sea in Germany that would this morning’s swim seem toasty in comparison!
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HKTQ
22/07/2013 at 4:37 pm
Management, how about an anniversary whale badge on Wednesday, the 24th?
Lips
22/07/2013 at 4:39 pm
Thanks LSA. That hurts. Especially from you..
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HKTQ
22/07/2013 at 4:41 pm
You’re welcome – as you know, I always like to keep a low profile, so letting others blog-tart and sign-off:-)
Thanks, Storchy and Shady Shauny for adding your names to my reserve list, ready to go at the first Blogger vacancy!
lesbubbles
22/07/2013 at 4:45 pm
I’m just too fast for a buddy LSA 😉
John S
22/07/2013 at 4:48 pm
flash bubbles.
;-]
Jane
22/07/2013 at 4:49 pm
That’s really interesting. I wonder if they really are Blue Damsels. Keep on trying to get some pics.
DWSS
22/07/2013 at 4:50 pm
You are quite right Lesley. All the admin people are doing such a great job.
From all the swimmers, I would like to extend a huge thank you!!
The bloggers, the data processors, JK, Ian, Lesley,
I am reminded every day how good we have it by the wonderful writers.
Thank you. And thank you to the WA contingent who set this up in the first instance.
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HKTQ
22/07/2013 at 4:50 pm
Oh Lips, everyone knows you need a hypothermia Half-Way exit every day! That wouldn’t have been a newsworthy mention:-)
John S
22/07/2013 at 4:53 pm
A wonderful idea LSA!
Those 49 present on the actual day last year get to walk around to Shelley and only swim one way.
Oh hang on LSA does that everyday anyway………..
😉
Little Sarah aka LSA aka HKTQ
22/07/2013 at 4:56 pm
Now the shudder through winter badge is a no-no, we’ll see who makes it www through August!
Lainey is already resorting to hood and booties, Brenton to yak fat and I bet there will be more and more looking for Half-way exits, Hop, Skip and Runs, Rehab Route variations and so on… Lesley’s already threatening to break Rule no 1: “Don’t even think about leaving Shelly til every last pink dolphin has arrived!”
Mark
22/07/2013 at 6:17 pm
What, no commentary from Michael C on hardening up.
Cold ….” It’s all in the mind “. eh Michael
Missing you
fifi
22/07/2013 at 6:19 pm
Maybe Scotty Mellis can rustle us up a sticker…:-)
fifi
22/07/2013 at 6:21 pm
or the badge goddesses?
Mary
22/07/2013 at 6:40 pm
You guys are so bad. . .