Over 600 Bold & Beautiful swimmers
proudly came together to swim for Australia Day.
What an absolutely amazing morning, we really do live in the most wonderful community, with everyone turning out to celebrate Australia Day together in true Australian spirit.
Greg McDonagh played the trumpet as we all chorused ‘Advance Australia Fair’ before entering the water.
The water was very warm and crystal clear
enabling many of the swimmers to enjoy the scenery and the marine life including large Flatheads, Groupers, Wobbegongs and the baby Dusky Whaler Sharks.
We were joined by people from aged 7 through to 82 including:
- team Aidan as they seek to raise funds and awareness for the Oncology Children Foundation
- our local member Mike Baird and Councillor Lauren Elder
- then to totally top it all off we had the pleasure of being greeted on the beach by Australian icon and swimming legend Dawn Fraser – what an
absolute privilege.
We were joined out in the water by a wonderful bunch of local friends on stand up paddle boards including:
- Mark Kelly from Global Surf Industries along with a whole bunch of his friends
- Greg Bennett from Bennett Surf Boards
- Merv from the Fairy
Bower Restaurant - Hamish and his mate
We were also joined by a fantastic group of friends on paddle boards.
After the swim around 200 of us gathered at Manly Wine for a beautiful buffet breakfast.
Thank you so much to everyone who came down and contributed to making this morning such a great activity for everyone involved.
Whether you were a spectator, a photographer, a fundraiser, a swimmer or a paddler, you contributed ensuring everyone had a truly great morning – THANK YOU !
There will be many more photos and videos up on the website for you all to enjoy shortly.
Water Temperature 24.2 degrees.
Sunrise 6.10am.
Sunset 8.05pm.
Low Tide: 8.23am.
High Tide: 2.20pm.
13 comments
Little Tiger
January 26, 2011 at 3:02 pm
What an absolutely fantastic morning. You guys looked amazing, I was watching from offshore. Brilliant singing, friendly chatter at the point, smiles allround, and a fabulous breakfast that followed. Happy Australia Day !!!!
Gaetan
January 26, 2011 at 3:38 pm
over 600 swimmers! A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Fully pink sea! It was such a wonderful morning we will all remember.
As you mentioned Julie, thanks a lot to everyone who made this event so successful, you first.
Special thanks to all the people on the boards who looked after us, I counted at least 14 of them.
John
January 26, 2011 at 4:54 pm
That was a SPECTACULAR event to celebrate Australia Day. Thanks to Julie,B&B swimmers and the people on the escort boards that helped to make it all happen.
Claire Egbers
January 26, 2011 at 5:16 pm
I could see the pink from dunno:)
Michael [TLC]
January 26, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Hi Claire, how nice to hear from you. Did you mean DUBBO? or ……..?
Tim
January 26, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Brilliant swim, now maybe , just maybe next year we get 1000.
Congrats Jules, you must be very proud of your ‘Baby’
Well done.
Michel
January 26, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Lovely swim – thanks Jules 🙂
Michael [TLC]
January 26, 2011 at 8:11 pm
what a fantastic day!! Congratulations to all of us and particularly Jules. It was a hard row to hoe but she got there and it was all worth it. Fabulous swim, fabulous morning and great afterwards. Lets do it again next year.
Tim & Yoke
January 26, 2011 at 11:17 pm
600 swimmers wow!!!Gongratulations, it sounds like everybody had a fantastic morning, well done Julie, we are having a fab time,but miss our morning swims in Manly.
Hope to see you all soon,maybe attempt a swim or 2 before we hit the road again
Sandy McIndoe
January 27, 2011 at 5:11 am
Extraordinary effort. I’ve got tingles reading the comments from here in Whistler. Fancy Dawn Fraser being there! Well done and sounds like so much fun. Standing room only all the way to Shelley.
It’s Australia Day in a big way here and the local Aussies are in board shorts and flags on the snow! It’s a balmy 2 C in the village. Heading home for a swim this weekend
Linda
January 27, 2011 at 8:36 am
Awesome day. Well done Jules and Michael. Great swim with even greater friends in THE most beautiful location.
The future is Pink!!!
Skulking Shark
January 27, 2011 at 9:04 am
Awesome Australia Day swim Jules!
My mates and I were escorting you safely! Its more fun chasing those silly clubbies with the oars and big boats who can’t swim.
Greg McDonagh
January 27, 2011 at 11:18 am
Before B&B how many people did you greet on a daily basis before 8 am ?
Great comraderie and common interest in swimming and fitness amongst an amazingly diverse group.
Thanks to speechmaker Tony for his overview and for initiating the Bucket for help towards Julies Public Liability insurance , which she had to organise quite urgently.
Some swimmers were caught off guard ; but will no doubt have the opportunity to donate during our coming morning coffees.
Thanks Jules for all the effort which goes unseen behind the scene.