There was quite the rip running along the corner and beyond today, and this was Mr Drinkwater’s advice for swimming back to the beach – avoid the trouble spots and go with the flow rather than against it.
It struck me that this could be a metaphor for life – have you ever been in a situation where it felt that you were swimming against the current, wasting energy, feeling frustrated and a bit panicked, getting nowhere? And then a slight change of tack, a slightly different approach made all the difference? Mother Nature can be a good teacher
Air and water temps considerably lower than the week just gone – such a relief.
Maybe it was the weather, maybe the Sun Run, but a smaller than usual cohort gathered for the 7am swim today. Later we shared the bay with yellow caps, blue caps an various unaffiliated individuals.
Meanwhile the faithful and some newbies gathered in preparation:
I asked Murray what he thought of the conditions, but he was lost for words
Newbie Melissa in between Lainey and Annie. Note the progressive reduction of footwear from right to left
Wows, bravely moving away from the safety of their spiritual home, but not so far away that they can’t rush back to defend it if needed. Note the steely determination behind those lovely smiles
Shelley used her subtle powers of persuasion to get Peter (excellent photographer and resident fish expert) into this photo
Tomorrow we will be sharing space with another event, the Cole Classic.
Our Grand Poobah, Ian gave us a preview, telling us we will have to gather north of our regular meeting spot and swim from there (more on this later)
This is what the beach looked like shortly before the 7am onslaught
Shenanigans at the Point
And…… heading off
Cabbage Tree Bay looked calm but parts of it were like a washing machine
Here is Ian again with a group of excited 6k swimmers
Deep and meaningfuls
I took no fish photos today. This is a Streaky Gurnard (something like that) which I spotted in the netted area by Manly Wharf on Wednesday. A strange, strange creature.
Back on dry land – lots of people who had finished the Sun Run
Looking for a dog for some blog shots. Sir Laurens delivered buckets of cute, like the trooper he is
Those paws
Shaun playing dress-ups
Heading back to my car I realised I hadn’t seen the 6K swimmers coming back in, but then in the distance out in the bay – could it be pink caps?
Stats
250 swimmers
11 newbies
20.4 degrees
- Saturday 2nd Feb Fun Run – normal swim from surf club to Shelly Beach and back
- Sunday 3rd Feb Cole Classic – gather and swim from the benches about 100 metres north of the surf club to Shelly Beach and back
Streets will be closed and parking difficult. Please allow plenty of time to park before the swim.
The Monthly Dinner is back!! – 12th February 2019 – Guest Speaker
The first B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 12th February at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest on the night will be one of our swimmers, Nicole Piha, who is an award-winning sports manager. Nicole has trained Super Rugby teams, as well as international cricket and rugby teams. Through her business, Ocean Swim Support, Nicole supports long distance ocean swimmers through training, planning and logistics before and during the swim. Nicole will talk about some of the iconic swims as well as the logistics around training and planning.
Please book early for this event as it is sure to be popular. The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 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. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential: To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book below. at www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html .
What am I listening to? I’ve been meaning to post this for a while – there’s an ocean reference at the very end. And coffee. You will love it or hate it.
7 comments
Edwina Harrison
02/02/2019 at 4:40 pm
Nice blog , Ian the poohbar 😂 , great nickname 👍
Elizabeth
02/02/2019 at 4:59 pm
I love that non dyalb song. Fine end to a fabulous blog
Shelley K
02/02/2019 at 5:40 pm
A wise blog, more memorable for the addition of music’s great sage and poet, the oft neglected Non Dyalb.
Elizabeth and I share a reverence for Non Dyalb and even have matching merch purchased at his latest go-round here last year. Although as far as this particular track goes, an extra cup of coffee or two may have provided oomph. The chalk face is a good look.
Those hound dog eyes!
SAMANTHA Evans
02/02/2019 at 8:00 pm
Thanks to the 6k swimmers today who made the morning fun and team spirited!!
ian the slowest
02/02/2019 at 9:49 pm
Anne,
a very enjoyable blog for an absentee to read and get a feel for many aspects of today’s session.
Swimmers’ recovering arms at sea look like distant Loch Ness monsters: a long neck with a small head.
One More cup of Coffee was one of my old fav tracks from Blood on the Tracks CD which was a studio version. Your version is also a beauty that I will listen to again. I had forgotten how much I liked it. Thanks!
Lainey
02/02/2019 at 10:24 pm
I’m reading the bog at 10.20 pm Saturday night after a few beers but loved it. You’re quite a story teller Anne. Thank you.
Anne
02/02/2019 at 11:34 pm
I’m also a big fan of Non Dyalb and thought his turn at the Enmore was epic. Reading enviously of your merch purchase, Elizabeth and Shelley. The merch counters and surrounding crowds always put me off. I invariably walk away and invariably regret it later.