Every swim is special for a B and B swimmer but this morning was extra special for John Bond. After 5 years of commitment to the B and B group, our trusted water temperature monitor, has swum a combination of singles, doubles, triples, boulderdash’s, 6 km’s, 10 km’s and a swim across the Heads to reach the incredibly impressive milestone of 3000 km’s. His calm, gentle yet confident approach to the swim has reassured many newbies over the years, including me.
John started with B and B in 2011 but had been doing the swim since 2009. The Pacific Challenge stopped showing John’s progress after Cooktown but he is well on his way to Darwin! For the last 3 winters John has averaged 76 swims all without his wetsuit. He has swum with Silkie the Dolphin and Humpbacks off Manly Beach. What a truly impressive swim resume, John!
I have regularly enjoyed a post swim chat with John who always has an interesting fact or observation he is willing to share. I know my understanding of the ocean, its tides and marine life it supports, has been enriched by these conversations. He is always curious if you enjoyed the swim and why you enjoyed it. And he takes an interest in your responses, always encouraging each swimmer to have fun and to expand their capabilities. I never imagined I would try a double, triple or boulderdash but knowing John was often leading the group gave me that little bit of extra confidence to give it a go.
John is a wonderful example of the strength within our group – our Community. There are so many wonderful personalities involved in our swim. Some……or should I say many…… who strive for the limelight (you know who you are) and others who are quiet and more reserved, but no less driven to enjoy the mornings activity. Everyone comes, knowing they will get more out of the swim than just exercise. Our open and welcoming community is the drawcard. It ensures there is a place for everyone in B and B.
Through Johns warm and welcoming approach and his calm leadership he has proved himself a great example of what it is to be a committed B and B swimmer.
In honour of this wonderful achievement, we celebrated in true B and B style
Cath, Alison, Georgina and Monica went that extra mile to make sure John, or should I say 007 felt special. It’s extremely difficult to put lippy on with frozen fingers and lips! Great effort WOW’s
Now for some photos of other happy swimmers this morning:
Some of the 6.30’s
A very happy Andrew
John, Dorset, Henrietta and Peter
John, Andrew, Jill, Wilf and Ian
Cherie, Karlene and Jodene
John and Robyn
Birthday girl Julie with her gorgeous son Saxon. Happy Birthday Julie!!
What is a birthday without balloons? Well done David for making Julie feel special!
Happy birthday to Hannah as well. She came all the way from QLD to swim with her mum Debbie, but I am devastated that their photo is the only one that didn’t turn out. I’m so sorry ladies, I know how special mother and daughter swims are. I hope you have a lovely birthday Hannah.
Michael and a gang of 7 o’clocker’s
Robyn, Inga, Shelley, Nicki and Melise
Jamie and Caroline
A really really happy Shelley!
Snorkelers gathering for a quick chat
Father and son team, Andrew and Joseph
Fun at Shelley Beach
I am sure we would all like to extend our congratulations to Julie Isbill. She accomplished an amazing challenge when she completed her English Channel swim, yesterday, in 13 hours and 24 minutes!! Brilliant achievement Julie!
I hope everyone had a great morning and the sense of fun continues throughout your day
Lisa
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It’s that time again. Winter is here … and so are the winter badges. To recap; Winter swim season runs from 1 June to 31 August. To qualify for a winter badge, you must:
- swim at least 20 times during this period
- swim in at least 7 different weeks
- log your swims
Clarity on the WWW badge. Please be aware that to obtain the coveted WinterWithoutWetsuit badge, the only parts of the body where wetsuit material is a permitted covering are the feet (booties allowed). Apart from the feet, the rest of the body must be in non-wetsuit material. Don’t forget to check the “without wetsuit” button on the login screen
Why not give it a try? Any questions – email Ian: ugoboyo@gmail.com
BE NICE
Also, a reminder that the philosophy of the B&B group is that we are a group activity – and that swims are only to be logged for swims made between the hours of 6 am and the final 7 am swim (or double or triple or other sanctioned swims). Swims are not to be logged outside of these times for social and safety reasons.
– Management
Staying safe
If you bring along a friend please ensure they can swim!!!
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. Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
The Stats
Regulars: 180
Newbies: 1 oh so brave newbie
Temp: (water) 18.1 degrees (air 7 degrees)
SIGNATURE
Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.
29 comments
Lips
29/06/2016 at 12:05 pm
Wonderful blog Lisa.
Congrats to both Julie and John! Two absolute legends. Can’t wait to read both your autobiographies.
I’m also very pleased with that last photo.
Rusty
29/06/2016 at 12:24 pm
What a great blog! Well written Lisa. A great tribute to a great achievement by JB. My mentality on rough sea days has always been: ‘Do What John Bond Does’. Always safe and smart. Congratulations John.
Richard
29/06/2016 at 12:34 pm
Well done John bond!!!!!!!
John
29/06/2016 at 12:50 pm
Thank you Lisa for your coverage of today’s swim and also to all those who waited in the cold conditions at the end. It was all good fun and much appreciated.
Congratulations to Julie on the English Channel challenge. Now that’s a swim.
See you at the swim tomorrow.
Shelley K
29/06/2016 at 12:52 pm
Well said Lisa!
And Rainer – two shameless tarting episodes …the camera was loving Monica and Georgina and you had to go and steal the limelight, even without red lippy
rh
29/06/2016 at 1:02 pm
Good on you, John Bond 🙂
Rob
29/06/2016 at 1:13 pm
Big Congrats to John! well done!
As big a day as it was for John, I can’t believe Kiwi Greg looks so emotional in pic 2 …
Debbie
29/06/2016 at 2:00 pm
Hey Lisa, mother and daughter had a great swim and then chocolate cake for brekky! Congrats to John and Lisa what amazing achievements.
Debbie
29/06/2016 at 2:01 pm
sorry I meant congratulations to John and Julie. Thanks for the blog Lisa
Mary
29/06/2016 at 2:58 pm
Congrats John!!
Lips
29/06/2016 at 3:08 pm
You got it all wrong Mrs K! It was the bond girls who stole MY limelight!!
Lisa B
29/06/2016 at 3:34 pm
Rainer never stop blog tarting – your delightful beaming sense of achievement when you feature strongly in the background always makes me chuckle
Lips
29/06/2016 at 4:03 pm
Oh Lisa! If only you could blog every day!!
Sandra Reid
29/06/2016 at 4:36 pm
Congratulations John, will be back to join for some siwms end of August!!!
Tracey
29/06/2016 at 4:51 pm
Great blog and well done John.
Michael Sh
29/06/2016 at 4:57 pm
Fantastic blog Lisa. From the triumphs of Julie and John to us everyday slackers, the sense of community and fun gets my day off to a perfect start.
Robert Grozier
29/06/2016 at 5:19 pm
Congratulations Julie. Wonderful achievement. Suggest a toddie or 2 of nice Scotch to warm your toes up. Look forward to your report and photos. Rob
Lainey Loo
29/06/2016 at 5:28 pm
Another friendly, heartwarming, inclusive blog Lisa. Great tribute to John Bond. Loved the ‘Bond Girls’ too! Julie Isbill is an absolute legend isn’t she. The ocean was a mere 15 degrees too crossing the English Channel.
Georgina
29/06/2016 at 5:42 pm
Love the blog Lisa, so pleased to be part of JB amazing achievement xxx
Fiona
29/06/2016 at 6:07 pm
An absolute pleasure to read today’s blog from freezing Tamworth, Lisa you are becoming a legendary blogger! Congratulations John and Julie, outstanding achievements and the celebrations well deserved.
Elizabeth
29/06/2016 at 7:33 pm
Excellent coverage Lisa of the event of the day. Magnificent achievement by the lovely John Bond. Congratulations John. You set a great example. It was a lovely day for the 3,000 swim. I always enjoy Rainer’s blog appearances ( and blogs) but he has outdone himself with the final photo today – he looks like he is hovering above
Elizabeth
29/06/2016 at 7:34 pm
Congratulations Julie. What an achievement to add to your many!
Jenny ((:
29/06/2016 at 8:11 pm
Great blog Lisa, so inclusive & heartfelt. Congrats to John ✨💫👍and Julie 🏊🎉🐳
LSA, HKTQ
29/06/2016 at 8:44 pm
Congratulations, John….the next 3K will pass in no time!! x
LSA, HKTQ
29/06/2016 at 8:46 pm
Ha, ha…. good work Lisa and Lips :-)) xxxx
Robyn
29/06/2016 at 8:50 pm
Wonderful blog Lisa. It was a wonderful celebration today of John’s fantastic achievement and the sentiments we all feel being part of such a great swimming community. Well done again.
Inge
29/06/2016 at 9:40 pm
Lisa thank you for writing such a lovely piece about John. He is a legend. Congratulations John! We all enjoyed celebrating your 3,000km with you and we are proud of your achievement. And Julie what can we say…you’re a legend too!
emma
02/07/2016 at 7:03 pm
My favourite blogger!!!! Congrats John you legend!!!😜😜👏🏻👏🏻
Judy
11/12/2016 at 9:58 am
Fantastic blog, thanks for sharing. We love to snorkel. Looks like you r all having a great time snorkeling!