Only the Ocean … Wednesday 31st

Ah today … the tide seemed to have finally turned. The water was a balmy 22.5C with some promising clarity and great sightings to enhance the swim.
In the words of Jack Johnston in his song Only the Ocean

After all this time after all these seasons
After your one decision to go to the water for reason
Now it’s only the ocean and you
And all these lines will all be erased soon
They go out with the tide
Then come back with the waves
It’s only the ocean and you…

Fast improving, our beloved CTB has come some way to letting the  brown water / seaweed / strange shaped sponges etc go out with the tide. 

On Monday Jonny and Alan were the 7 o clock ‘group.  Jonny (aka Manus) didn’t sell the swim well after. Alan was more upbeat. Water was brown. Unattractive. Bloggers took to alliteration as a distraction.
Some 50 plus hardy souls though have been swimming daily ploughing through whatever. Let’s not go into what exactly.

That was yesterdays story as it turns out. As I arrived today this scene greeted me, yogis in the foreground and a tranquil ocean. Tranquillity hour. So beautiful. 

The swim was described by the 6.30 crowd Suzie and Coatsey and friends as ‘really good’. Others said ‘beautiful’. Thing is they don’t see much in the dark but by the time they hit the point on the way back it’s light. Credible story up to a point. 

Not the usual numbers. The few brave souls that remain undeterred by what lies ahead.

Don and John weren’t taking chances and were heading yonder north ish direction.

The coffee queue was dismally small

The 7 am group was a marginal improvement from Monday. 

Getting the WOW ducks and David (there’s always one) in a row

Today’s swim was indeed lovely and beautiful. A wonderful surprise. Lots to see – lots of those small ‘hundreds and thousands’ fish all over the rocks, yakka shoals, many baby duskies, a giant ray, a turtle and a baby cuttlefish. Ian reported brown jelly fish with advise not to rub their underbellies. Or something like that. Best avoid those until they return to their rivers. 

Those were the days …. a flash back or flash mob 

Have a great day and happy Easter / Holi / Passover or other celebration. 

I’ll leave off with the chorus from Only the Ocean 

You don’t want
You don’t wait
You don’t love oh, but you don’t hate
You just roll over me
And you pull me in

Today the beautiful ocean rolled over me and pulled me in for sure.

Di

x

A word From Management 

We will also have the following items on the day:

·         2020 Winter badges for sale (Covid Challenge and Ice Cold Corona) at $10 each, distance badges (500 km, 1000 km, 2000 km) and last year’s summer badges – $10 each (cash only please bring the correct money)

·         silicone swimming caps ready for winter – $15 each (cash only please bring the correct money)

·         latex caps (free) if you have broken/lost yours or have friends/family who have just started swimming

Any new swimmers who have started swimming over the summer period are invited to sign up on the day and receive their free B&B latex cap.

If you can’t make it on the 10^th you can get your badges by mail as follows:

1. Inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope place cash for your badge/s – $10 per badge for the Covid Summer Badge (if you completed 30 swims over Summer) and an extra $10 for the Corona Super Swimmer Badge (if you completed 50 swims). The Manly-Shelly Triple badge is also available for $10. 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. 

2. Post this envelope in another envelope to the Summer Badges for collection ($10 each – cash only). 

We will also have the following items on the day:

·         2020 Winter badges for sale (Covid Challenge and Ice Cold Corona) at $10 each, distance badges (500 km, 1000 km, 2000 km) and last year’s summer badges – $10 each (cash only please bring the correct money)

·         silicone swimming caps ready for winter – $15 each (cash only please bring the correct money)

·         latex caps (free) if you have broken/lost yours or have friends/family who have just started swimming

Any new swimmers who have started swimming over the summer period are invited to sign up on the day and receive their free B&B latex cap.

If you can’t make it on the 10^th you can get your badges by mail as follows:

1. Inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope place cash for your badge/s – $10 per badge for the Covid Summer Badge (if you completed 30 swims over Summer) and an extra $10 for the Corona Super Swimmer Badge (if you completed 50 swims). The Manly-Shelly Triple badge is also available for $10. 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. 

2. Post this envelope in another envelope to Ian Forster, . 2063.

Happy swimming