There’s something in the air this week — that unmistakable shift when the ocean starts to sparkle just a little brighter, the mornings get earlier, and the chatter at Manly begins to turn to one thing: the Cole Classic Ocean Swim.
Yes, it’s happening again — the big event lands on Sunday, 1st February 2026, and I’ve officially begun my training regime. The routine, the rhythm, the dips — all slowly building towards that beautiful, salty challenge we know and love.
The 7am Bold and Beautiful swim from Manly to Shelly Beach and back is the perfect training ground to get started. It’s friendly, social, and a wonderful way to build confidence in the ocean while being surrounded by a community that loves the sea just as much as you do. It’s also a fantastic stepping stone toward taking on a larger ocean swim like the Cole Classic.
And then there was today’s swim — pure ocean magic. The water was alive with jelly blubbers and tiny, dancing jellyfish — translucent and mesmerizing, floating like drifting lanterns beneath the surface.
Swimming through them felt like moving through another world, a reminder that life underwater is always changing. One day calm, one day alive with movement and mystery — and always, always beautiful.
Registrations for the Cole Classic haven’t opened yet, but they’ll be here before we know it. Keep an eye out on the Cole Classic socials— I’ll share all the details as soon as they drop.
Until then, keep showing up. Keep swimming. Keep noticing the little wonders below.
Because every swim tells a new story — and every morning in the ocean reminds us how lucky we are to call this place home.
See you in the surf.
Deb 💙