Father’s Day

Happy Fathers day to all the dads, stepdads, foster dads, granddads and virtual dads of human, fur, feather and scale children (have I missed anyone?) Hope you all have a great day with your loved ones.It’s a complex gig, being a Dad.

Driving from the Queensie end I was heartened to see a mirrorlike surface at our special place and entered a dreamlike state of anticipation until reality and en existential sense of panic kicked in. Who’s going to run across the road? Who’s going to back out of a car space? Best to keep one’s mind on the road and the task at hand. A promo for mindfulness if ever there was one.

Cloudy mornings are the best for photography and today afforded some good opportunities.

 

Here come some glamorous hybrid mermaids

Up above it was business as usual.

 

Newbies signing up

Undergoing the initiation ceremony

This is JK shortly after announcing that all fathers would get an early let’s go. Ten whole seconds!

 

Emma and Fiona can barely contain their excitement! Lucky JK to have such a gorgeous cheer squad

The approach. The rather low water temperature had a strange effect on some people: Why does it make us sing in high pitched voices, men and women alike?

A question for the long-term swimmers – is this the winter with the lowest water temps so far?

The underwater visibility in the shallow water heading out to the point was quite passable. So far so good.

But the deeper water around the corner was another story. The crimson banded wrasse and the PJ were barely discernible. The blobbys aka salps were particularly gross.

Heading out I’d had a brief chat with Elizabeth. She was of the opinion that we must be crazy to be swimming in such cold water. That was even before the rain set in. I tried to capture the rain falling onto the surface from below. Keep practicing, methinks

I spent way too much time trying, and also looking for fish. Here is the peloton at Shelley from my distant perspective.

 

And coming back

A few gropers close to Shelley. Glad I kept going that bit further and saw these little friends.

A lone freestyler coming the other way

On the way back I saw Richard with his daughter Annie who was swimming without a wetsuit. Well done Annie! I know you were keen to get out of the ocean.

 

And here they are again

 

Once out of the water, few people hung around – maybe it was the rain. Maybe it was because of Fathers’ Day. Maybe it was post party lethargy.

I did meet One-Eye Charlie who was happy to be out and about

 

A community announcement – these were left in the ladies’ change room. Cheryl has them and will bring them tomorrow.

 

What am I listening to?

In honour of Father’s Day –

 

Stats at a guess

Swimmers – let’s say 200

Newbies – at least 1

Until next time…..

Monthly Dinner – 11^th September 2018 – Guest Speaker

The next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 11th September at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. The guest speaker on the night will be one of our swimmers, Jennifer Mulveny, who will share the benefits of mindfulness during our swims and in our daily lives. Jennifer is a certified yoga instructor and passionate student of mindfulness. She leads the beach yoga sessions on Manly Beach before our swims every Thursday morning, constantly reminding students that mindfulness can be done on and off the yoga mat, before a beautiful sunrise, or just as well sitting in traffic or standing in a queue. The presentation will include some mindfulness practice that can be used during swims or as part of a regular home practice.

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 HERE

2018 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 16^th September

You’ve done the hard yards and got your Summer 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 Children’s Home (opposite the beach) on Sunday 16^th 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 2018 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.