What a morning! A total of 220 swimmers, including 8 newbies, braved the wind chill and were rewarded with what has to be the best start to a Sunday. Well, to any day really..
Solstice Swim Report:
The morning kicked off at 6:20 with leg #2 of the Drinks Express solstice swim. Near perfect conditions for a nude swim really – superb visibility, ice cold water, and the odd jimble to keep things interesting.
Henrietta managed to capture the 6:20 nudies mid-flight on their way to Shelly Beach. If you zoom in closely, you can see Andrew’s butt cheeks at the very front of the pack:
I arrived around 6:40, just in time to catch some of the brave solstice swimmers arriving back at the surf beach.
Some still a little bit camera shy..
Others less so..
Love these ladies – it’s moments like these that remind me how lucky I’m to be a blogger..
Some of the nude swimmers later that morning – don’t let their winter wardrobe fool you. They are still utterly nude underneath:
Andrew looking pleased with the morning:
For those of you who still contemplate joining one of the solstice swims, there will be one more chance around end of August. The solstice swims are strictly non-denominational and you don’t have to be a practicing pagan to join.
I joined for the last one on 22nd June and loved it. In fact, if it wasn’t for my blogging duty, I probably would have disrobed for today’s installment too. I just couldn’t figure out where to store the camera on the way over. Please submit suggestions in the comments section at the bottom of this blog.
The 7am Main Event:
With the nudies arriving back, the 7am regulars were getting ready..
Mark, Michael & Julie:
Lovely Lisa with daughter Georgie:
Legends Greg & Bill – the latter wearing his flesh-coloured undies in a show of support for the solstice swimmers:
Fiona was in top form today..
Best thing about winter swimming (apart from occasional nudity) – the 7am sunrise!
Michael thought it was hilarious to splash me with 16.7 degree water. From behind. From the safety of his wetsuit. What’s wrong with people!
Dispiriting: The A-Team, once again, narrowly beating me to Shelly. I blame the wetsuits..
Capless Dave feeling the cold:
Now, I know a talented blog tart when I see one – Marco pulled out all the stops:
Fellow Sunday blogger and part-time magician Michael – wasn’t sure who’s turn it was to blog today. Note to self – really need to clean up that Sunday blogging roster..
Getting people to clown was a bit like pulling teeth today. I blame the cold water.
Ironically, experienced ocean swimmers know that excessive clowning is one of the best ways to maintain body temperature in cold water conditions..
..as is cuddling Michael Christie:
A textbook ‘Let’s Go!’ executed by Julie Isbill:
Jason – always has time to stop for a friendly chat with the blogger:
Winter-swimming veterans Luca & Lexi:
Shower Scenes:
There are few things more pleasing to the eye than beautiful swimmers taking a shower. And I don’t mean that in a creepy way.
In fact, I plan to dedicate a whole blog on post-swim showers in the not-so-distant future.
Two of today’s favorites below:
Coffee Culture:
Apart from that, I love watching swimmers drink their post-swim coffee:
And the lovely people that make it all possible:
Another way to keep warm – grab a dog:
Margot from to Blue Mountains was back to take a break from the blizzards and catch up with her favorite swim group:
Public Safety Notice:
Warning – this is not Jill Rankin. Someone has hacked Jill’s social media profile and is pretending to be her:
If you are approached by this woman, do not – under no circumstances – buy discounted Viagra or Ray-Ban sunglasses from her. She has been seen operating around the surf club toilet block earlier this morning.
BTOTD:
I leave you with another shot of Fiona, who, together with Marco, was competing for BTOTD (‘Blog Tart of the Day’)..
In the end, I had to call it a tie..
Have a great Sunday. If you haven’t done so already, put some clothes on. Have a hot beverage. Hug someone.
Lips x
Manly Surf Club Season Opening Party
A season Opening Party for the Manly Surf Club will be held upstairs at the Steyne Hotel on Saturday 6th August. The event will feature the band Triple Shot, with a live auction also lined up! Tickets are $50 or 2 for $80, includes food and 3 free drinks. Follow the link to purchase tickets: http://manly-lsc.myshopify.com/products/tickets-mlsc-season-opener
The Stats
Regulars: 220
Newbies: 8
Temp: 16.7 degrees
Sunrise: 6.52am
Sunset: 5.10pm
26 comments
Margot
24/07/2016 at 1:56 pm
Good blog today! Fantastische Fotos, Rainer! They captured the atmosphere well! It was my first ever winter swim. So cold but such fun!
Cathfish
24/07/2016 at 2:01 pm
Love it Rainer! Great blog – lovely swim today and so good to have Jules and Michael back, even if it was just for a flying visit.
Veena
24/07/2016 at 2:01 pm
As always-a great fun blog Rainer. It was very entertaining watching the nudies exit the water! Nice to see someone giving you a run for your money! x
Cathfish
24/07/2016 at 2:02 pm
And love the shower scenes!
Kerry
24/07/2016 at 2:13 pm
😂😂😂
Lisa B
24/07/2016 at 2:36 pm
Thank you for those pixalations, Rainer! I owe you a coffee!
Mary
24/07/2016 at 2:44 pm
Fab blog Rainer. You handled the ritual disrobing with such delicacy. Although chilly it was a perfect day to join Shaun’s Nature Tour – so much to see today!
Edwina
24/07/2016 at 2:50 pm
All those girls mooning! Lovely swim today 😊
Bold & Beautiful Swim Squad
24/07/2016 at 2:50 pm
Thanks for a fab weekend all.
Very kind of the port Jackson and cuttle fish to come out and say hi too.
Until next time… Missing you all already 😘
Fiona
24/07/2016 at 3:38 pm
A fantastic blog Rainer, I think you captured today’s special moments perfectly! Such a fun swim and great to see so many people enjoying the joys of liberation! I haven’t been swimmer of the day yet so I’ll take joint blog tart of the day! Great blog!
Lainey Loo
24/07/2016 at 3:40 pm
Gorgeous and titillating blog Lips, loved it! I managed to transport a camera for the last nude swim but got in such a pickle with the camera and race-belt around my middle, flippers, cozzie flapping around my neck it wasn’t really worth it!
Think you may have a calendar shot in there Lips with those beautiful sunrise pics. So clear at the moment I had to go for a second dip and saw Pj, Wobbie and the brightest of blue Gropers. Great to see you again Jules and Michael x
Lisa B
24/07/2016 at 3:40 pm
And so well deserved Fi
Lips
24/07/2016 at 4:26 pm
No worries Lisa. You girls were brilliant!
The un-pixelated originals look even better. I’ll keep them in a safe place for you!
Lips
24/07/2016 at 4:30 pm
Shaun’s Nature Tour?? Are you referring to the solstice swim? Glad I missed that!
Lips
24/07/2016 at 4:32 pm
Safe trip Jules & Michael! Thanks for the surprise visit!
Lips
24/07/2016 at 4:37 pm
Thanks Lainey.
I remember your camera struggle at the last nudie swim. Maybe solstice swims aren’t meant to be captured on camera.
Marco
24/07/2016 at 5:47 pm
Blog Tart …,no one comes close to the Madame of them all hence his nickname Lips .
Nicky Poggi
24/07/2016 at 5:51 pm
Great blog Rains, glad to see you uncovered some hidden loose ends in a very artistic way.
Shelly
24/07/2016 at 6:37 pm
You are the best Lipsy, fabulous blog.
Wonder if “management” will get a wrap over the knuckles for the nudie swim ??
Love you all
Shelly
xoxoxo
Roger
24/07/2016 at 7:04 pm
First photo at top is a cracker, Lips 🙂
Jenny ((:
24/07/2016 at 7:26 pm
You nailed that nudie blog Lips!
Leigh
24/07/2016 at 10:09 pm
Great blog Rainer, thanks so much. I’m fascinated by the solstice swim, the mLSC old and bold do it totally differently and I haven’t tried the b&b version yet! Woah, better get ready…
Is it M rated and not for The little B&Bers Luca and Lex ?!
They will love this bold and seeing their pics too! 👏🏻
LSA, HKTQ
25/07/2016 at 12:13 am
Fabulous!!
xxxxx
Lips
25/07/2016 at 10:35 am
Hi Leigh, good to see you and the kids yesterday!
The solstice nude swims are technically not sanctioned by the B&B steering committee. They are ‘tolerated’.
Andrew D (Drinks) is the spiritual father of the B&B nude swims. Probably best to ask him. He’s available for questions most mornings just before 6:30 or after 7am.
emma
25/07/2016 at 12:01 pm
Fabulous,, looking forward to seeing the unpixilated pics!!!
Elizabeth X
31/07/2016 at 10:29 am
Famtastic blog Rainer, so sensitive, funny & entertaining. Thanks for this and all your great blogs. I also really loved your closing lines today, very salient to the B&B spirit. Thanks for being a big part of that !