Blue sky, calm water, a few keen swimmers face the sun and dive right in for a confronting 16.7 degree cleanse. The ocean’s crystal clear tears wash away the ballast of what has been.
So often it is not what we gain from an experience, but what we leave behind that holds us buoyant. You ever noticed that? Let go of what was, and float a little higher through what is…
Welcome to not your average Monday morning – we don’t do average around here
Chris relieving himself of ballast in the brisk shallows
Krystyna already light in the water
A team effort out to The Point and only a short wait in the cool water
Seemingly a slight current helped us across to Shelley this morning, in otherwise pool-like conditions.
Mary’s been across the Bay more than once… In fact today she clocked up 500
kilometers
Hitting the sand back at Manly Beach and the sun floats higher, as does the group
Water, the universal solvent. We are cleansed, if a little cold. So the week begins!
Monday celebrity swimmer Ian, volunteer paddler for the Bear Cottage Big Swim has one more swim until he earns his ‘Winter Without Wetsuit’ badge
Warm Regards,
Andrew ‘Magichands’ Maher.
Unique, gentle, Light Touch Chiropractic care – VIP rates for BnB members.
Stats: (…will update as they come in)
Newbies ?
Regulars ‘a fairly intimate gathering’
Temp 16.7
B&B i-Log
Almost 50% of swimmers are now using the B&B i-Log. Log your swim ANYTIME of day using this really efficient and easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster – his email address is: (PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS EMAIL INTO YOUR EMAIL, DO NOT CLICK on it)…
ugoboyo@gmail.com
He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.
Staying safe
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. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
Bear Cottage Big Swim – Donations still open!!!
To help Bear Cottage continue its essential work, on the 21st of June, 2014, 9 swimmers from the Bold & Beautiful swim group swam the 14km between Manly and Bondi – two of Sydney’s most iconic beaches.
After months of committed training and planning, countless hours spent in the pool and ocean. On the day itself, each swimmer faced the hazards of fatigue, hypothermia, strong swells, jellyfish, and the ever present threat of sharks.
If the swim inspired you, please know that donations are still open. Follow this link to make a contribution to the lives of the children at Bear Cottage… http://swim.gofundraise.com.au/page/BearCottageBigSwim
10 comments
lesbubbles
30/06/2014 at 11:57 am
OMG that was COLD! BUT invigorating! 😀
Mary you look a little too calm and happy at Shelly…you must have acclimatised to the cold!
Mary
30/06/2014 at 12:10 pm
So cold getting in at Manly that I had a moment of wanting to head to the nearest cafe. Strange how ‘something’ happens and once you’re swimming the cold is just like light buzzing on your skin.
Great day! 500km and 22nd WWW swim – must have acclimatised or maybe it is that I have in-build buoyancy
Beautiful blog Andrew. Stunning shots from the point.
Mary
30/06/2014 at 12:12 pm
And don’t forget about the monthly dinner!!
Monthly Dinner – Bluewater Cafe, Tuesday 8th July at 6.30 pm
In her early life Valerie Taylor was a champion spearfisher. She switched from killing sharks to filming them when along with husband Ron, she became fascinated with marine life. Ron and Valerie were the first people to film great white sharks without the protection of a cage or anything else during the making of the series Blue Wilderness in 1992. Valerie became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010 for service to conservation and the environment as an advocate for the protection and preservation of marine wildlife and habitats. Valerie will give a talk about her various experiences with sharks over the years. She will also show a short film on the marine world in Indonesia and how it has changed.
The cost will be only $20 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of main to choose (incl a vegetarian option) and free corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff.
All beers, wine and deserts are an optional extra at the special price of only $5 each!!
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL, so book now!!
Snorkles
30/06/2014 at 1:04 pm
Congrats Mary on your 500km!!!!
No.16 www for me….three more to go this week!
ros
30/06/2014 at 1:37 pm
I like the photos of Chris trying desperately to keep warm by grabbing the girls. Well done Chris!
Tayls
30/06/2014 at 1:45 pm
As usual a brilliant blog Andy. Yes Ros, I find a true ” medicinal, healing warmth” in hugging my fellow swimmers…its just that there’s never any guys close by…not sure why that is….might be my keys tucked into my buggies !!!
LSA aka HKTQ
30/06/2014 at 3:12 pm
Well done with the 500, Mary! And good luck all WWWers
After an early swim, Jon and I headed for a 7.39 yoga class at Power Living to warm up in the heated room. Abuzz as you describe… but took a while before we defrosted!
LSA aka HKTQ
30/06/2014 at 3:13 pm
He looks like he’s seen a very large shark in the first one…:-)
Margot
30/06/2014 at 4:53 pm
Hello B&B’s! I hope you are all well. Sounds like it! Some of you should come up to the Blue Mtns post swim one of these days for some real cold! Make a little excursion and we could do a bush walk. In the mean time, have fun. See yers all some time soon.
MagicHands
01/07/2014 at 10:31 am
Thanks for the comments Lovelies.
Forgot to credit Stephen Coulter for the close up shots.
Thanks Stephen.