Before We Start!
As you know there is a Federal Election on next week.
Australia’s Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, has announced that he will suspend and review Australia’s new marine parks if elected Prime Minister on September 7.
He wouldn’t do this just days out from an election unless he thought there were votes in it.
Let’s prove him wrong. Help show the Opposition Leader that the overwhelming majority of Australians support marine parks and sanctuaries by sending him a message below.
Say in your own words why you support our existing marine parks and what you think of his announcement. For inspiration, we’ve provided a few ideas of points you could make…
http://www.saveourmarinelife.org.au/message-to-abbott
What a difference a day makes eh? – thought Stephen Coulter, as he turned up this morning to clock up his 1,000,000th metre (1000km)
Great effort Steven! ..but we have to let you know there are some unrecognised badges on your hoodie, which is technically an incorrect kit,
so if you wouldn’t mind removing them and we can start again?
The tough looking conditions demanded a little bit of a stretch before some walked around to halfway and the crazy people went straight in..
We had a NE swell this morning, which means onshore messy waves and a tough swim to the point
…always time for some clowning though
Sparkles and Rusty playing in the spray…
Derek’s best side…
He decided he was going to backstroke his way through the break…
Some were meant to be at work….?
The swim over to Shelley was bumpy but fun – something different from the rest of the week so far!
Fiona was loving the atmosphere as we played out the back waiting for something to catch in…
Just to give you some idea of the sea – this is the bouy catching a wave…
Jenny Knapman diving under one of the bigger waves we saw today…
The waves were way to big and messy and water too murky for underwater shots today so here is some action from earlier in the week..
The flutemouths – can change colour similar to the cuttlefish depending on their mood. Normally hard to take pics of but these guys were quite relaxed..
It’s been a while since the last yellowtail pics… here’s some new ones…
This PJ was resting in between the rocks – on top of the wobbegong – keep an eye out for a new shark species maybe..
Stats:
115 swimmers
1 newbie
18.4c water
6:15am sunrise
5:35pm sunset
Have a great weekend everyone! – Nick D
For your Diary:
The Bold and Beautiful Monthly Dinner IS NOW FULL.
To go on a waiting list (or to cancel if you cannot go) Please email Ian Forster on ugoboy@optusnet.com.au
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Charity Events:
Halve Poverty
This Saturday 31st August on Manly beach at 11am, to form the words Halve Poverty by 2015 – and it would be great if the Bold and Beautiful’ers with pink caps can form the letter L
More information here: http://halvepoverty.org.au/whats-it-all-about/
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Fred Hollows Foundation
James Pittar, the blind marathon swimmer who has tackled some of the world’s roughest oceans, will be swimming off Sydney’s Northern Beaches next month to raise money for The Fred Hollows Foundation on Sunday 22nd September.
James will start his swim from Long Reef at 8am and arrive at Shelly Beach at approximately 11.30am. He would love Bold and Beautiful swimmers to join him for the last two kilometres from Shelley Beach to North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club.
Swimmers will enjoy a delicious BBQ, hosted by North Steyne SLSC to celebrate Swim for Sight 2013
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Sydney Coast Trek – Trekking to Restore Sight!
Don’t miss out!! Round up your friends, pick a fun team name & Register your spot on 2nd September
Click http://www.coastrek.com.au/ to learn more
28 comments
The Thinking Mans Lemur perviously known as Fifi
30/08/2013 at 11:14 am
Fabulous blog Nick.
Thanks for creating awareness of the marine park issue.
We have to throw our collective weight in expressing our opposition to this marine park closure proposed by the Abbott coalition.
Seems a very small minded thing to do…we all know how much life flourishes in a marine sanctuary, and its good for fish stocks not just in Cabbage Tree Bay but elsewhere, of course.
The photos you took today are really impressive, love the water sculptures.
Inez
30/08/2013 at 11:42 am
love the Jenny underwater series wave avoidance negotiating
Nick D
30/08/2013 at 11:49 am
Yeh it’s probably a promise to the commercial fishing industry who are waving a cheque or have leverage in marginal seats.
I can’t imagine anyone who is a member of Queenscliff SLSC would want to let the world fish in Cabbage Tree Bay?
Still, better to say something than not eh?
Rusty
30/08/2013 at 11:52 am
Funny blog mate – love the shot of Jenny ducking the wave.
Certainly was a contract to the past few weeks. But the bumpy seas were fun.
Can’t believe Abbotts stance on Marine Parks. What a knob!
lesley
30/08/2013 at 12:23 pm
gee wiz those yellow tail photos are SO INCREDIBLE Nick!!!!
All the going through the wave photos are amazing as well.
Excellent form going under the waves Jenny!!
Look at 2nd photo of ‘Jenny Under Wave’ and it looks like a platypus is behind her! 😀
Renae Fowler
30/08/2013 at 12:43 pm
Great blog and action shots Nick. I hard it was a tough swim today to good on you all for getting out there today… See you tomorrow.
Jane
30/08/2013 at 1:21 pm
Amanda from the OzMus thinks the new shark species might be a Portegong. But it might turn out to be a Wobbeson……..
Nick D
30/08/2013 at 1:32 pm
Stephen (2nd beer at the skiff club) has just worked out he’s done 1 billion millimetres…
Greg McDonagh
30/08/2013 at 1:42 pm
Great photos. and congrats to Stephen for his achievement,dedication and contribution.
Slow Ian
30/08/2013 at 2:01 pm
I don’t think Cabbage Tree Bay is at risk. I think the ones that Tony wants to get at are the new marine parks gazetted by the Government this year (or was it last year?) when they did a deal with the Greens. He is the local member after all – I’m sure he would be voted out if Cabbage Tree Bay was opened to fishing.
Photo of PJ and Wobbegong is a definite contender for the shot of the year. I’m sure PJ thought Wobbegong was a rock – amazing.
Snorkles
30/08/2013 at 2:39 pm
Please make the bumps die down for Sundays swim ……
Snorkles
30/08/2013 at 2:39 pm
OH!!!!! AND BIG congrats to Stephen !!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!
ros
30/08/2013 at 2:47 pm
I loved all today’s photos (and every other day’s too). How extraordinary are those flutemouth fish? And that first shot of the yellow tails all wiggling their tails in different directions? And the amorous PJ and Wobby? Great work, Nick!
As for Abbott and the marine park issue. What can I say? I think Rusty has said it all …
Sparkles
30/08/2013 at 2:52 pm
Nick you COULD leave your day job and be a professional photographer. Amazing shots. Love the sense of action and movement…which so fits the bumpy swell we had today. Jenny k plowing through the wave looks magic.
ros
30/08/2013 at 2:53 pm
And note that the ‘Shooters and Fishers Party’ is running for senate seats in the federal election, in part to oppose the marine reserves that were created in 2012: http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/shooters-and-fishers-party-launches-senate-campaign
LSA aka HKTQ
30/08/2013 at 2:58 pm
Yes, hard to choose between the amazing Jenny K series and the incredible PJ Wobby set!
Congrats, Stephen!
Jenny Holmes
30/08/2013 at 3:06 pm
There is a walk on this Sunday (Father’s Day) from Kirribilli to Chowder Bay to help raise money for the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. Check out harbourhike.com if you’re interested. It’s 12 km – beautiful walk by the look of it. $35 for adults, $25 for children (7 – 12 yrs). Starts 8 a.m. and should take about 2-1/2 – 3 hours and starting times are staggered up to midday.
Pissed off Port Jackson
30/08/2013 at 3:11 pm
I strongly encourage the B&B to invite T Abbott to come for a swim during which you can allow him the fair opportunity to show you that he can be reasonable and intelligent when it comes to Marine Sanctuaries.
I also ask that you don’t let him wear a pink cap and he is easily identifiable as I have created a novel way of demonstrating the ill effects of allowing things such as spearguns in Marine Sanctuaries and would be devastated if I didn’t get to hit him with the full force of my example.
Looney Lainey
30/08/2013 at 3:18 pm
Think I’m the platypus Lesbubbs!
Looney Lainey
30/08/2013 at 3:22 pm
Yeah, right in the frosty nuts!
Tim
30/08/2013 at 3:24 pm
Man this just shows the power of social media eh?
Isn’t cabbage tree bay an ‘Aquatic Reserve’ and not just a Marine Park? – As I see it there is a difference. (from doing 2 minutes Googling)
Further to that, it is classified as a ‘No Take Aquatic Reserve’ and has been since 2002
According to the websites I looked at, an Aquatic Reserve is generally smaller than a Marine Park. I think people are getting worried and confused over nothing.
Just trying to get to the truth of the matter and not panic at what has quickly become a facebook chainletter style (don’t vote for Tony because he kills fish campaign)
I highly doubt anyone in their right mind ‘ or a politician ‘ for that matter would allow fishing at cabbage tree bay, especially as it has been highly protected since 2002 and is one of Manly council’s biggest draw cards for families and tourists alike.
Tim
John
30/08/2013 at 3:26 pm
Well Done Stephen. There are now three of us who have completed at least 1000 km.
HANDS OFF our Marine Reserve.
Pissed off Port Jackson
30/08/2013 at 5:13 pm
Tim you are right Cabbage Tree Bay is an Aquatic Reserve so as long as it’s ok we should just bugger off the rest of the ocean right?
The sentiment of this ‘social media’ is that we have all developed a far more intimate relationship with the aquatic world from our daily swims and want to protect as much of it as possible. Believe it or not but those whales and dolphins we are often blessed to see need other habitat to survive.
While you are happy to believe that no one in their right mind would allow fishing in cabbage tree bay, by the same logic our national parks should be safe from recreational shooting right?
So before you go jumping to Tony’s defense again how about you open the link at the top of this page, and whilst you can still give him your vote, you can also tell Tony that it is not cool to remove some of the very limited protections to our beautiful aquatic environment.
DWTG
30/08/2013 at 5:35 pm
Just for the record-
I’m voting for the Party Party Party
Nick D
30/08/2013 at 5:41 pm
DWTG – Can you elaborate on the PPP’s main policy planks?
the lemur with attitude
30/08/2013 at 5:54 pm
Dear The Thinking Mans Lemur perviously known as Fifi,
Stop fear mongering!
Commercial fishing would be sustainable in CBT. We all know just how many species and the numbers that are there, plenty for everyone.
The poor fishermen were kicked out of the harbour just several years ago due to unacceptable concentrations of toxins and heavy metals, best they get of the dole and start netting and long-lining in CTB.
Little kiddies should be allowed to pick up live urchins, shells and hermit crabs, take them home and put them in fresh water and watch them slowly die. It’s educational for them learning about life and death cycles. – toughens them up for real life!
As a group, we should be all embracing and accepting of everyone including fisherman and kiddies irrespective of our political leanings.
John.S
30/08/2013 at 6:00 pm
planks, push-ups and pin-ups
Tim
30/08/2013 at 6:28 pm
Pissed off Port Jackson.
1) where at any point did I mention I would give anyone my vote?
2) Where did I jump to anyone’s defence?
3) Where did i say ” bugger the rest of the Ocean”
If you look I was commenting on the point that the blog was focused on protecting CTB – which is what I was referring to. Where in any factual information does the political proposal mention any specific reference to CTB? It just seems like people are now thinking there is a direct shot by a political candidate at CTB. – not the case
Furthermore – a blog such as this is not the place to voice ANY political opinion.
I agree it is in all our best interests to ‘save our oceans’ I was just trying to put some perspective to this story.
The ‘Social Media’ I refer to is the facebook campaign.
Tim (Ettle) i’ve been lucky enough to be swimming with B&B for almost 5 years now and love and adore the ocean.
Why jump to such assumptions?
Happy to chat to you about this, ill be down at the club tomorrow.