I found this interesting quote about why we go to the sea. What do you think?
“And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it, we are going back from whence we came. “
— President John F. Kennedy
In the hazy morning sun, the point looked inviting.
It is Monday and 200 swimmers turned up, including 20 newbies. Totally huge numbers for a Monday!!
Former Monday Blogger Robbie is looking chuffed, but others are showing some concern. There are queues for the attendance book.
So unnecessary as it is much easier with the Login App on your smartphone.
The earlier swimmers arrived back with heroic tales of multiple attempts to reach the point. Fifi, a swimmer held in high esteem for her strength and bravery in the surf, proclaimed that it took her 17 minutes to go through the surf.
Many were concerned that if Fifi struggled, then maybe it was a half-way day. John soon confirmed that this was the sensible advice, ‘cause as you know, we swim at our own risk.
This is one of those very rare days when the (almost) entire squad heads for half-way.
A few, who have obviously not attended nearly as many Chrissy parties over the weekend, are feeling strong and brave enough to take on the surf.
With waves breaking at the point, Chris and Ted were happy with their half-way decision!
Even at half-way there was some serious wave action.
Shelly was pretty congested as we huddled to compare swims, hangovers, meet new swimmers, etc
So, as you might guess, today was not a day for fishy sightings. With the waves at the point I certainly was not heading back that way. As you can see from this photo, even an attempt at an underwater close up of our most experienced blog tart with King Neptune failed.
The nature spotting today was this lovely Water Dragon confidently sunning itself on the rocks.
See you tomorrow for the Chrissy Eve Swim.
Mary
B&B Attendance Login App
Come on folks – there are so many good reasons to use the B&B Login App. No queues, no need for glasses so you can find your name, and it is eco friendly. With the aim of becoming carbon neutral the B&B Login App reduces our paper consumption. 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 a 10km swim. 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. The next 10km swim to be held on 11 January depending on conditions.
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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.
The Stats
Regulars: 200
Newbie: 20
Temp: 21.3 degrees
Sunrise: 5.42am
Sunset: 8.06pm
27 comments
Jane
23/12/2013 at 12:40 pm
Lovely blog as usual from the beautiful Mary – love the Water Dragon.
The Sinking Frenchy
23/12/2013 at 1:20 pm
Mary , Queen Blogueuse, does it again!
LSA aka HKTQ
23/12/2013 at 1:25 pm
A wild morning – knowing one’s limits, turning back when one is getting exhausted, helping each other, looking out for those coming in behind one when reaching shore (at the beach or Half Way)…. keeping it fun and safe….Bold & Beautiful!
A big thank you to all Bloggers who keep the show on the sea at this busy time of year and especially to those, like Mary and Nick who are doing ‘Doubles’!
And Lips, I can’t believe that was the underwater Blog Tarting you were telling me about as your excuse for being soooo slow on return:)
LSA aka HKTQ
23/12/2013 at 1:36 pm
Christmas Day Boldercrawl…..
If anyone would like to join Elizabeth and I for a very leisurely, relaxed boldercrawl-Shelly, meet us at 5.40, in the water at 5.45.
If you’ve never done a boderdash before and feel nervous of sharks, stingers, being left behind or have any other phobias, this will be a great swim for you and a lovely way to start the day with sightseeing, tea-breaks and fun!
We’ll return with the main group in time for the special Xmas brekkie:)
(of course, all subject to conditions on the day….)
ros
23/12/2013 at 1:40 pm
I love the JFK quote, and the thought of taking my salty self into the salty ocean each morning.
Jim Stackpool
23/12/2013 at 2:19 pm
G’day blog readers – just wanted to delicately put a thought out there whilst respecting EVERYONE’s free will. On a morning like today when there is a chance that the beach will be closed (which it was), could I get some feedback to the suggestion that if you want to swim out from the beach on these days, you do it individually and without your pink cap. This might serve three purposes, most importantly that we ‘strongly’ believe in our group and the safety of the whole group. Secondly, respecting everyone’s free will but do it individually. Thirdly we did cause grief among the professional life guards who risk their lives when we potentially risk ours. I too was one of those silly ones today who went, when I should not have. I don’t mean to offend, I’m interested in the feedback.
Snorkles
23/12/2013 at 2:31 pm
LSA! When are you leaving ?? I need to get one of the Boldercrawls in if I’m ever going to get one of these 6km badges!
I cant do Christmas day as I’ll be up v busy the night before helping Santa but happy ot try any other?
LSA aka HKTQ
23/12/2013 at 3:01 pm
Oh Snorkles, I’d lover to do a boldercrawl with you…..but we’re leaving on 27th and will need to just do a Shelly that day – special anniversary and farewell swim!
26th, Boxing Day, a possibility…will keep you posted!
Lainey-Loo aka Elaine
23/12/2013 at 4:03 pm
Love your quote and blog Mary and the lovely photo of Chris and Tedley. Can I remind you of the quote I found recently: ‘The cure for all is salt water, whether it be sweat, tears or the ocean…’ That might be a good idea Jim, so the Club don’t get cranky with us as a group!
Always Late Fifi
23/12/2013 at 4:07 pm
Ah, Jim, you never offend.
I took off this morning at 6.30 as usual and had not even LOOKED at the surf. It didnt seem too bad, but it became apparent that there was a LOT of whitewater break to be gotten through, so i just did a heads down and looked up 17 mins later to see I hadnt moved. Given that the groceries were being delivered I didnt want to spend ALL my swim time on the one spot of the point so I dashed around to halfway and continued on from there. I did make a loud announcement that I hadnt made it out and that everyone should go from halfway.
Passing the crowd later, I swam back into the beach, which was a piece of cake with the swell behind me. I didnt expect anyone to follow suit.
Wasn’t till I came in that I saw the beach closed sign. I had NO trouble coming in so I hope I didnt cause grief.
Regarding the pink hats, i would suggest they be left on the head. It is a safety issue, as they stand out better than just a wet head. I would think most pink cappers, being a largely cautious lot, would opt for the safe route in and out.
(I never do, because I can swim in pretty much anything. So dont anyone go in just because I do. I might look aged and fat, but i am an aquatic mammal and almost drown proof)
LSA aka HKTQ
23/12/2013 at 4:32 pm
Agree – keep the pink caps on!
Kylee Murray
23/12/2013 at 4:33 pm
I will join you for the early swim. Is everyone welcome. It will be great training for me as I’d like to join on the 11th for the 10km. I don’t often get the chance to swim with Bold and Beautiful as I live and work a little to far from Manly. But Christmas morning would be fab.
Jane
23/12/2013 at 4:59 pm
Well, you might be drown-proof, Fifi, but you CERTAINLY don’t look aged and fat!
lesbubbles
23/12/2013 at 5:06 pm
here here
lesbubbles
23/12/2013 at 5:06 pm
or is it ‘ere ‘ere
lesbubbles
23/12/2013 at 5:07 pm
hear hear??
lesbubbles
23/12/2013 at 5:07 pm
ooh i love a good swim discussion on the Blog Comments!!
lesbubbles
23/12/2013 at 5:18 pm
That is defo Lips photo bombing that underwater shot!
My god! how does he do it?!?!?
Jane
23/12/2013 at 5:29 pm
Thankyou to a lovely man called Tim who looked after my mobile phone and took an important call for me while I swam to Shelly and back!
Jane
23/12/2013 at 5:32 pm
Oh, I do so agree – fab photo of Chris and Ted.
Jane
23/12/2013 at 5:33 pm
You got it right at last, LB
LSA aka HKTQ
23/12/2013 at 6:48 pm
I wonder if he’d like to look after all our mobiles and manage our calls? Of course, he has to realise that some of us are in the water a very long time when doing distance swims! Would be especially useful over Christmas – he could try juggling 300 + mobiles. Or we could get even more…. any bets?
LSA aka HKTQ
23/12/2013 at 6:50 pm
Anyone is very welcome! A BolderCRAWL, however:-) See you then, Kylee!
Always Late Fifi
23/12/2013 at 7:44 pm
I think thats AR AR
Always Late Fifi
23/12/2013 at 7:45 pm
Did he sort out your social calendar? if so, Ill leave him my phone tomorrow.
Jane
23/12/2013 at 8:00 pm
Well – maybe he will! I’ll try that one tomorrow…..
Kylee Murray
23/12/2013 at 9:31 pm
Thank you, see you then.