Well there was only one gorgeous Green Turtle this morning but as usual lots of legends! Inspiring people like Pierre Lord who has just come back from swimming from Ireland to Scotland and Emily Kempson, Australia’s Ultraman Female champion who talked to us last night about her incredible achievement at the Bluewater dinner. Amongst these ‘Superheroes’ there are so many amazing people like legally blind Roger who has swam more kms this month than any other swimmer…So many inspirations. All those who swam without a wetsuit this week in the windy, cold air and 15.9 also deserve a pat on the back in my opinion!
The sun rose at 5.59am this beautiful Wednesday morning. There was a bit of cloud cover so we didn’t get a colourful sunrise but the sun was out for the early swimmers seen here and the air was warmer than the last few days…
A motley crew of swimmers pose at 6.55am ready for their Vitamin Sea. (Talking of which, if you talk to most people who swam throughout Winter most avoided colds and the flu). That cold water really is so good for us.
Here is Pierre on the right with fellow channel swimmers Greg and Niels. I will mention more about Pierre’s amazing achievement swimming The North Channel later in the blog.
It was a little bumpy today so I caught a few swimmers getting shocked by that first wave as they went in!
Dave and Matt aka Pete, swim early and don’t often get on the blog so here they are at crossover.
Here we have Mauricio with his daughter. He is an amazing free diver and photographer and told me he saw a Grey Nurse this morning over by the pool. I rushed around to halfway then!
I caught up with Pauline, Dea and Jenny who noticed this huge Ray on the ocean floor not far from the steps!
Caught some blog tarts at Shelly. Here we have Rainer with Ronald, Leisa, Wendy and Anne
Rainer pulled one of his beautiful expressions that have appeared on many blogs and scared away prospective swimmers!
As I got to the pool my eyes were on the look out for Mauricio’s Grey Nurse but I saw Pauline and co looking at this beautiful sight in the weeds.
They got a bit cold and went in. I had a wettie on so hung around and was rewarded as he swam around and surfaced a few times!
Then who should appear to share this great experience with me…Sparkles! She was in awe, as these photos show!
Another very special, awesome swim in Cabbage Tree Bay…
PJ and Cuttlefish together. (I took this photo a few days ago)
Gary the Groper on Saturday
Diamondfish
It’s great to have Dr John back swimming with us. Here he is with girlfriend Kate. I met him when he swam with us as a trainee Doctor in 2012. Dr Patrick his supervisor told him he had to swim with the B&B. In 2015 he returned to Cardiff but is now back and working as a flying anaesthetist based at Bankstown and here to stay!
Two total legends above, Brendan and Pierre. It was great to hear about Pierre’s North Channel crossing this morning. It is one of the toughest ocean swims in the world and only 80 people have completed it. It was 34 kms and took him 12 3/4 hours. He said he was lucky to get 13.9 degree water but had trained for 10 degree water. Just before he started the swim he met a Hungarian guy who was attempting the swim for the third time. This guy had been so badly stung by the Lions Mane jellyfish the year before he had ended up in a coma. Yet here he was trying again! As you could expect Pierre spent the next 13 + hours looking out for jellyfish with good old mate Brendan in the boat whistling when he saw one!
Pierre and his fellow channel crossers.
Pierre getting ready. He had to put a fair bit of meat on to do this swim but assures me he has already lost 6 kilos and will be soon back to his slim, svelte self. (He is also single and ready to mingle for any ladies reading ;-))
The crossing from Ireland to Scotland
This group just listened in awe to Pierre’s tales. However, I have to add they are also legends in their own right for various reasons. Gunnar only learned to swim from youtube 2 years ago and does doubles every day, Sue M regularly clocks up 5km before a day of teaching and Roger told us about swimming 2kms in freezing water at Hobart’s Dark Mofo Festival in June!
Have a fantastic day everyone!
2019 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22nd September
You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster. Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.
A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and …. RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here for Badge Ceremony.
All 2019 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well-earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed, so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for the upcoming summer badges.
In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don’t forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).
7 comments
Anne
11/09/2019 at 1:24 pm
Great turtle shots, shame I missed it
Juliette
11/09/2019 at 2:06 pm
Thanks Lainey! I swam later and didn’t see the turtle, but did see a most majestic groper. The turtle is my dream….
Sparkles
11/09/2019 at 3:51 pm
Love your blog Lainey. All of it. Always. Thank you soooooo much for capturing such special moments with this magnificent sea turtle – and all the other magnificent marine life we get to enjoy. What a way to start the day. We are blessed! Thank you again xxx
Lainey
11/09/2019 at 6:59 pm
Keep looking up Anne to see who’s spotted something!
Lainey
11/09/2019 at 7:00 pm
Hopefully he’ll stay around Juliette!
Lainey
11/09/2019 at 7:02 pm
Thanks Sparkles. I think you’re a fish whisperer as you’re often around for the best sights!
Michele Franks
14/09/2019 at 3:32 pm
Great to read Lainey we are half way through our trip in Croatia