27/09/2021 – Lumpy, Sunny and a Dolphin!

This is Guy for those of you who don’t know him… standing in the foreground of our beautiful playground this morning. He’s been recording the water temp for us these last few weeks with that precise handwriting. 16.7 today. Descriptions of the swim consistently involved the words ‘lumpy’, ‘bumpy’, ‘roly poly’, ‘murky’ but given that… nobody regretted their swim and I saw a Dolphin  🙂

Visibility hasn’t been too good lately but the best clarity I’ve found has been around the green sea-grass near the point and at the Bower surfbreak. Some Luderick and Blackfish above.

This Fiddler Ray hangs around the green grass and is always a delight to see!

The flash of a Blue Groper is always an awesome sight.

There are lots of these Toadfish around at the moment. They are only about 4-8 cm long!

Most of the Giant Cuttlefish have died now but I was lucky enough to see this one a few days ago.

Port Jackson action at The Bower today. As I’ve mentioned before I like to see the large females as the chances are you’ll see some interesting shark behaviour ie: mating or attempts at by smaller males! However today I saw a female trying to find a place between rocks to hide her baby inside it’s egg, and another PJ came and tried to eat it! Imagine giving birth and your friend watching does that!!!

All of a sudden as I swam in to Shelly i saw fish swimming furiously and saw a big shape. I thought it was a Grey nurse but then saw it was a large Dolphin! Did anyone else see this? It was around 9am? I know it swam under Terry! Incredible! Unfortunately it was so quick that was the best photo I could get!

Tony, Merrilee and Sheena go out as Annie comes in.

A few waves, rips and lumpiness as we went in and out.

Early swimmers 

Two Drinkwaters and a Lesbubbs 🙂

Irma from Holland is loving her B&B swims 🙂

It was Jacques birthday today. He’s just started a business Delidoor.com.au

Suzanna and Michele

Number 1 on the Pacific Challenge with Little Sarah

Michele and Martin and Clare head out.

Got this email from Julie Isbill re the ‘Mini Mermaids’

This is such a warm and fuzzy feel good story, really made my heart sing.  So I was hoping we could share it in the blog please… ??

A couple of photos of the ‘Mini Mermaids’. They completed their B&B winter badges in the 7 weeks required. 8 of them in total, 7 from Manly Village (11/12yr olds/yr 6s), meeting every weekend and a few days a week during lunch time to do their swims. It’s been a profound experience for them all, a mental health break from lockdown and homeschooling. They have all bonded tremendously during this time and it is that much more significant as it is their last year of primary school. We are so proud of them all.

This was sent to me from one of the Mum’s but with consent to publish from all of the Mum’s.
Here’s hoping you guys love it too and you’re excited to share the photos and story

I just love it 

Winter Badge Collection 2021

The Winter badges are finally on their way! Congratulations to all those who completed their Covid-19 winter swimming challenge. As more than 500 swimmers qualified, the badge distribution this year will initially be via snail mail to maintain a Covid-safe environment for our volunteers. Unfortunately, only virtual handshakes and hugs from Ian, John, Anne and Pauline and contact-less distribution.
There are two ways you can obtain your badge(s)

• Method 1. Inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope place cash for your badge/s – $10 per badge for the Winter Badge (if you completed 20 swims over winter) and an extra $10 for the WWW Badge if you did those swims without a wetsuit. Family members/friends sharing an envelope must clearly name each swimmer and badge achieved. Please check postage rates and size of envelope required for multiple badges. Post this envelope in another envelope to Ian Forster, 6 Bligh St, Northbridge. 2063.
• Method 2. Wait until Covid restrictions on gathering are relaxed. We will then arrange a time for you to collect your badges from us in person. No promises when this will be but it may be when the vaccination rate reaches 80%.

Badges will be posted as soon as they arrive. If you have any other badges that you are missing and wish to purchase, please include cash for those as well.

Have a great day folks!

Lainey (below with Miguel Maestre who swims with us when he can)