https://www.facebook.com/1651645205/videos/pcb.10217501872292649/457647159484857
Is that Ted swimming with a Shovel Nose Ray in Cabbage Tree Bay?
Sorry if some of you got excited thinking visibility had suddenly drastically improved! I’m sharing my photos of our trip to Heron island last week as I know most of you would absolutely love it there and to inspire you to go! I loaded that part of the blog yesterday as have to rush to work but today’s swim was beautiful too. So many happy people to be back swimming after a long break!
Conditions apart from lack of viz were stunning today. It was also the lovely Lisa Boyle’s 60th birthday. Lisa is such a warm, friendly lady with a huge heart. She’s often referred to as ‘Queen of the Wows’ as she welcomed so many ladies in to that inclusive group. Happy Birthday Lisa!
A large group today for the Drinks Express and 7am swim.
Tash and Sadie were so thrilled to be swimming again after about 7 weeks.
We sang Happy Birthday to Lisa and gave her the splash. Please let us know if it’s your birthday so we can do the same to you!
Lots of smiles at Shelly. The sun was shining, the water seemed clean if not clear, the ocean was calm and it was still pretty warm at 20 degrees in.
Tilly came in first again thrashing the lads! Well done Tilly
So heartwarming seeing a turtle pop his
head out of the water!
Turtles kissing!
Lots of photos of snorkeling off Heron Island. It really was magical and we were so lucky to escape the horrendous weather in Sydney.
There were lots of Turtles. The 2 Leisas are pictured above. In fact snorkeling around the shipwreck early each morning they sometimes bumped in to us. So special!
I only saw a Lemon Shark once but with the light behind me he really was lemon coloured!
So many Rays too. This is a Spotted Eagle Ray. The water was so clear most days and around 26 degrees.
We mainly saw Green Turtles like this one but if you’re lucky you can come across Loggerheads and Hawksbills too.
Colin, Leisa, Karen and Clare all with turtles. There were 19 of us B&B swimmers up there in our pink caps and we had a lot of fun!
Butterflyfish, Parrotfish, Damselfish etc amongst the coral
These Rays were underneath the jetty every morning all ‘parked up’ together!
Cowtail Rays
A fever of Rays
https://www.facebook.com/1651645205/videos/pcb.10217501872292649/457647159484857
It was also extra special to see hatchling turtles making their way to the ocean. Unfortunately only 1 in around 1000 survive to adulthood. I’ll try and load a video of one here.
Black Tipped Shark
Have a great day folks!
Lainey xx
Summer Badge Collection 2022
Congratulations to all those who completed summer swimming challenges. If you missed the official Badge Ceremony on 27 March, there are still three ways you can obtain your badge(s)
- See Ian any day of the week before 7 am with cash ($10 per badge).
- Place cash for your badges inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope – $10 per badge for the Summer Badge (if you completed 30 swims over winter) and an extra $10 for the Super Swimmer Badge if you completed 50 swims. Also, $10 each for the distance badges (triple, 6 k and 10 k). 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.
- Wait until Saturday 9th April when Ian and Anne will be at the benches (100 m north of the surf club) between 8 and 8.30 am with all the badges, including past summer and winter badges. Cash or credit card will be accepted on this date.
If you missed out on your summer badges, start training now for the winter challenge, starting 1st June. Happy swimming.
B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 12th April 2022
At our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday April 12th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, we will go behind the scenes of Careflight. Each year Careflight treats and transports around 8,500 patients in need of critical care. This is your opportunity to really get an insider’s view of what happens when that call goes out and these dedicated professionals hit the sky. Only a couple of years ago, one of our own, Mark Drinkwater aka Stickman, was a recipient of this life saving service. After a horrific motorcycle accident, he was airlifted to hospital and due to the dedication and professionalism of the pilots and medical staff on board he is back swimming with us today. In response to this event, a group of Mark’s fellow swimmers (The Drinks Express) has been conducting fundraising for Careflight over the last few months. More than $20,000 has been raised and a giant cheque will be presented to Careflight on the night on behalf of all those B&B swimmers who helped with the fundraising or donated to the cause.
The cost of the dinner is great value at only $30 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.