As the warm weather continues and the murky waters and cold temps appear to have departed, a B&B swimmer’s thoughts naturally turn to the longer summer swims – the triple, the 6km and the 10km and the glory these swims confer on one.
Coming up to the weekend the hive mind had been abuzz with talk of a 6km swim given the forecast near-perfect conditions.
Everyone has their methods of preparing for the longer swims – extra hydration, bananas, lollies, hydrolite, berocca, various minerals and superfoods and entering a deep meditative state – ok maybe not the last.
I was running late so my first pre-swim photos are from the bower walkway.
The earlier swimmers
Lots of swimmers for the 7am today
Shelley and Alanna, very pumped for the 6km. Shelley was asking me if I was doing the 6 (or was she telling me?)
and again with Alex and a rather good photobomb
Elizabeth, who often blogs on Fridays (she has done a 6 already)
Some of the pulchritudinally blessed WOWS (see what I did there, Alex?)
Bronwyn. We had a brief chat about swimsuits – we are both fans of the brand beginning with F, but we also gave a nod to a brand which takes its name from 2 animals and begins with C and also to the popular BS brand
Here’s the the group I swam with for today’s 6km, at Queenscliff with Freshy in the background.
A couple of other groups swam today but I did not have the opportunity to photograph them. All up there must have been at least 30 swimmers doing the 6 today
There are some weed beds at the north end of Freshy. I saw a few very small fish – nothing like our unique and lovely Cabbage Tree Bay. Freshy does not have a marine reserve (love your work, Gladys) so the fish don’t get the opportunity to grow and reproduce before being caught.
After a short break we headed back to Queensy and then turned our faces back towards Manly, looking forward to an uneventful swim back, with the gentle ENE swell pushing us home.
But no.
Huey had other plans for us, initially in the form of a sea mist that enveloped us rather rapidly.
We could only just make out the shoreline
Swimmer in the mist
The ENE swell tended to push us in to shore. The board riders must have wondered what we were doing out there (as did some of us)
Some swimmers had the additional misfortune of encountering our friend the bluebottle. Ouch!!!!!
But we all made it. This is Carolyn, who buddied with me, celebrating our imminent return to Manly (thanks for humouring me when I was convinced you were heading straight out to sea)
Marred by water spots on the lens
Back on the wall (the spiritual home of the WoW) friends were waiting for us. Buddy was very happy to see his human Mum.
Just as quickly the sea mist lifted, revealing bright sunshine and delightful beach conditions
Artwork on a dirty chai – the perfect recovery drink – caffeine, protein, sugar and spices. Full nutrition in a cup.
Stats – I don’t know but here’s what I do know.
Lost of swimmers, 30 plus 6km swimmers at a guess,
water temp 20.5 according to the TG-5 camera
SUMMER SWIMS
10km swim Sat 22th December. 7am. Bring own food/water.
As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, it seems appropriate to explain what it takes to earn a Summer badge. Three long distance swims are on offer:
- The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning at 7am until Feb.
- There is a 10 km swim once a month over summer. Next one inFeb.
- If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30or 7 am.
‘Try a Triple’. Do the Manly to Shelley return swim 3 times non-stop and earn a triple badge.
Please note, Badges will be awarded to swimmers completing any and/or all of the 3 swims at the times and dates stated above and throughout the Summer months.
You will earn a badge if you complete these swims and log them in iLog. The system will only record authorised 6K or 10K swims that are logged on the appropriate days. Badges will be presented at the Summer Badge Ceremony in March. If you are unsure of the routes and protocols for these swims, please ask at the desk before you swim. When swimming these longer distances, we request that, for safety reasons, you stay with the group. We also request that you do not swim in dangerous conditions. The quest for a little cloth badge is not worth putting your life at risk. Enjoy your swimming.
Operation Crayweed Grass planting in Cabbage Tree Bay
If you are interested in supporting/assisting this initiative by way of signing up to be a CV (Citizen Volunteer) please read on.
The SIMS (Sydney Institute of Marine Science) Project Team expect to start the preparation work in late January and in February.
Assistance could take the form of on-land prepping as well as snorkeling assistance helping the netting get secured etc. SIMS/U.NSW do however have strict compliance paperwork to be prepared/signed off on before commencing such assistance.
If you are interested in becoming a CV to help the marine regeneration initiative could you please send your full name, mobile number and email to Dorset Sutton (Project Sponsor) at suttondorset@gmail.com.
Dorset will forward you by email the paperwork required to be completed. At this stage actual prep/dive dates are not know, but we are interested in seeing how many potential CV’s we’ll have.
Forms will also be available at B&B Board each morning at our swim. See Dorset at the swim.
Have a great weekend, people
7 comments
Shelley K
January 12, 2019 at 4:22 pm
I confer the glory upon you Anne, both for blogging and for the 6K. On the other hand, I could have done without the Wiggles.
Elizabeth
January 12, 2019 at 4:40 pm
Superb blog Anne
Robyn
January 12, 2019 at 7:06 pm
Congratulations everyone on their 6km and especially Anne who managed to blog at the same time. Legend. Supporters on shore were a little worried when the mist appeared but were reassured when you all appeared on land again. Well done all.
Edwina harrison
January 12, 2019 at 9:53 pm
Great story today thanks anne , always get a giggle too 💖
Lucy C
January 12, 2019 at 11:29 pm
Great blog Anne! Great photos too as always!
ian the slowest
January 12, 2019 at 11:52 pm
Shelley, we usually watch the high-brow version with the Melb Symph Orchestra; a beauty. My grand children are honing swim drills in the living room while standing face to face with Wiggles.
ian the slowest
January 13, 2019 at 12:06 am
Anne, another excellent blog.
It was a lovely day for the 6km swim. A thick fog adds some special atmosphere to it and the photos captured that. Almost as thick as the fog on Fri 4 Feb.
A few purists swam to FINA rules with nothing more than costume, goggles and cap.
Our 4 man caboose got left behind and stopped for some chats including with a swimmer (from Durban) who had come from Sth Curl Curl to Nth Steyne.
Some bluey stings looked bad but only a few happened luckily. I didn’t see any at all during the swim