What a buzz! Summer’s arrived well and truly, many of us are holidaying right here in Paradiso del Manlio, and there aint no better way to start the day than to swim in the ocean. Maybe that’s why 285 (!!!) good people turned up to swim with the B&B today.
Everyone was 100 per cent relaxed. Except for Julie, the powerhouse that started this swimgroup exactly four years and one day ago, who was only 98 per cent relaxed.
Julie has created such an inclusive, friendly and fun daily event that everyone wants to join. Today 53 (!!!) new people joined the group, and Julie kindly adds each individual’s name, details and photo to the B&B site. This allows every swimmer to receive the daily blog, and to check out the faces of their fellow swimmers on the Wall of Fame. Great way to make new friends, eh?
When you bring along friends to join the B&B, they get to write their names and contact details legibly in the pink folder, just like this fine man is doing in the picture above. The ‘legibly’ bit is important, as it reduces the amount of work carried out by our volunteers to keep this weird ‘n wonderful thang goin’ 365 days a year. Remember it’s free to join and free to be part of it.
Two for the price of one. I managed to capture Attracta and a tractor in the same picture, and one of them is looking very radiant and ready to swim.
One of many reasons I like this group activity so much is that it’s non competitive and super inclusive. We have swimmers of every creed, nationality, age, shape and state political affiliation. We wear cozzies/rash vests or full wetsuits, short/long or no fins. If you wanted to swim with the aid of a small propeller I’m sure nobody would mind either.
We also have an abundance of self-proclaimed experts, who
will carefully lay out their daily route after taking in relevant information
on rips, wave size, weather prognosis and stingers from the early swimmers.
Richard Agius looks pleased he survived another ocean swim, while Lesley and
Jalna conduct an impromptu brain storming sesh.
What was on everyone’s mind this morning? Well apart from the realisation that we are the most blessed creatures on Earth to be swimming right here every day in the company of good men and women, we were thinking about how to avoid getting that most dreaded kiss of them all; from a bluebottle stinger. This permanent road map of inner city Perth was indelibly etched into the lovely backside of Julie last season by a bluebottle with attitude.
So instead of gathering off the point and do the usual crossing of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, many of us made a First Class decision and turned left.
It turned out to be a delightful choice, entirely void of stingers.
A few catchable waves as we came back to base camp.
Those of us who took the usual route and consequently got stung, didn’t seem to mind it too much though. I get the feeling some even take a bluebottle sting as a badge of bravery and honour, judging by their big smiles in the face of abhorrent adversity.
It’s a dog’s life. Life’s a beach. Etc.
These cheerful swimmers are enjoying one of Mauricio’s YouTube film clips from his B&B swims.
And this gaggle of goggle aficionados are sorting through their daily post-swim gossip.
And our very own Women’s Changing Room Philosopher, aka Lori the Lovely, has a new motto for us. “Live your life with truth and love in your heart, good friends by your side, and Whale Ale in your belly”, she says as she pops another Ibuprofen and gets ready to go for a surf. (sorry no close-ups available of Lori today)
Have a lovely day, ya’ll. Love, light and corny statements from your Friday blogger Anna.
Boulderdashians 15
Water Temperature 20.9
Air Temperature to reach 28
Sunrise 5.45am
Sunset 8.08pm
High Tide: 8.59am
Low Tide: 3.38pm
16 comments
Michael [EX CI]
28/12/2012 at 1:27 pm
Wow what a day!
Probably more than 300 swimmers today in spite of the Blueys.
15 did the Bolderdash earlier and not a bluebottle to be seen down there. Water like satin and a beautiful big eagle ray nearly back to Manly.
We now have over a hundred swimmers who have bolderdashed and over ONE THOUSAND SWIMMERS [individuals] who have swum in the last three weeks.
Pretty amazing!
secret Petaurista alborufus
28/12/2012 at 2:01 pm
hmmm….says Mr 943.5, he who controls the data input controls history!……
😉
A beautiful day despite the Physalia utriculus!
Remember the 6km swim tomorrow…Fifi?
Little Sarah Abbott
28/12/2012 at 2:02 pm
Definitely one of the more adventurous swims! Thx Annie for joining us:-)
Glad to hear YOU didn’t see a bluebottle for your entire swim, Michael!! Jon & I were certainly greeted by a few on our return leg, a little way LEFT of the point, Ms Blogger! Agree about the “satin” part and all the great company:-)
Anna, great job. Good to include the reminders – when we bring new friends along, let’s also help them (and the group) with the newbie formalities including the red folder and LEGIBLY bit, getting pic taken etc as well as the introduction to Paradiso:-)
john S
28/12/2012 at 2:15 pm
Great blog, beautiful Anna, as always.
More fun than a bucket of jimbles!
If anyone missed it yesterday, Mauricio’s vid so worth a watch!!! Helps put things in perspective.
http://youtu.be/nMlnJO14l-8
Alyson
28/12/2012 at 2:47 pm
Agreed John, Mauricio’s video is awesome! Very professional and captures the essence of our daily swim. Thanks for making it and sharing it with us all Mauricio!!
annie "yay"
28/12/2012 at 3:05 pm
Great blogging Anna. Wow seeing the pack of swimmers staring down the blueys heading to shelley and turning back was quite a sight. Some awesome war wounds to be proud of. Hope everyone is OK. Certainly was an atypical balderdash this morning however still very enjoyable…if not a bit chilly (blue smurf suit turns wearer blue too). Thank you to LSA, LanieyLoo, Jon and Alyson. Cant wait to do it again!
Laney-Loo formerly known as E-lane
28/12/2012 at 3:11 pm
There were bluebottles everywhere in the Southern corner when we came down for the Bolderdash so I felt sorry for all the 7amers but it still sounds like a fantastic swim. Great blog again Anna. I hope there were no bad reactions. We never regret a swim even with bluebottles!
Jalna
28/12/2012 at 3:46 pm
Beautiful video Mauricio, thanks for sharing!!
Dolphin Whisperer
28/12/2012 at 4:22 pm
Carnage Day.
Great swim untill the bluey’s took their toll. Still good anyway.
A few observations –
Storchy – chance to flex!!!! good work.
Anna – Great Blog. witty, interesting, keep it up.
Bolders – Good decision.
LSSA – That $2 on the floor is not enough to bribe the integrity police. You need another $2 at least. haha
Nips – Great work on the attitude change when you found out Anna was doing the blog. haha
Julez – Dont worry, after you go and I take over, I am charging for swimming in my ocean. I also have the different colour caps on order for classification of swimmers. haha
Storchy – I closed my eyes while swimming today, I believe its worth extra Km’s on the Pacific challenge for simulated night swim.
Annie Yay – ask Snorks how many blog tart points you are on. hehee
Great to see so many new swimmers.
mauricio
28/12/2012 at 4:37 pm
Thank you John, Alyson,Jalna and Julie
for the support.
It’s very motivating to know that your are
enjoying the videos.
Congrats to all for this amazing initiative!
DWSS
28/12/2012 at 5:58 pm
I’m in for the 6K tomorrow
Stay away blueys
'The Lips' formerly known as Rainer
28/12/2012 at 7:23 pm
Why isn’t anyone making fun of Richard’s nipples??
7th photo down. Nipples clearly visible through his maroon (purple?) rashie. Where is the nipple police today? Why are my nipples always picked on?
Great blog Anna.. Love the double Tractor!! 🙂
Bella
28/12/2012 at 10:47 pm
Got to double up on loving the double tractor too Anna – what a corker!! Great blog love.
Bella xx
Snorkles
29/12/2012 at 3:00 am
Just to let you know a week in and my blue bottle stung still itches…hope everyone today survives their wounds!
Snorkles
29/12/2012 at 3:01 am
Dolphin …..shut it!!!
Stephen Coulter
29/12/2012 at 4:44 am
Snorks, Lips and I told you to check that other condition. It’s clearly not blue bottle ‘stung'(pommie accent coming back?) after a week!