Sometimes it’s not the actual physical act of swimming that makes you so glad you got up in the dark and rain… It might be the chance to be uplifted by such a friendly bunch of people, see amazing marine creatures, get a work- out done before work… For me sometimes it just takes my breath away to look up and see that amazing sky when I’m in the ocean. You just feel immersed in the beauty and awesomeness of this beautiful natural environment! What a gorgeous morning it was. How lucky are we to swim in this special place?
There’s always inspiring people around to push you that bit further or make you grateful for being able to partake in this great experience so often. Tracey is so determined to get her ‘Winter without wetsuit’ badge she came down at 6.10am to swim on her own today before rushing off to be at Ravenswood school for work at 7.30am. Luckily Cheryl swam with her, before swimming more laps across the bay.
Simon grabbed me for a pre-swim photo but when I asked what I could tell blog readers about his friends, he insisted Shaun on the left was a ballet dancer! With a nickname like ‘The Greyhound’ I think he meant runner.
This is the beautiful scene that awaited us as we entered the 18 degree water…
Sue and Heather, always ‘rays of sunshine’!
At The Point. Name the swimmer
Always worth looking up to catch the sun popping over the clouds. Matthew Hawkins with a good, high elbow.
and then… just near ‘Attracta’s Rock’ near Shelly beach a few of us see two Giant Cuttlefish looking as weird and alien-like as ever. They only live to 18 months/2 years and start to go a bit white around the tentacles when they’re on the way out. I dove down but didn’t get too close after the incident with the rogue Cuttlefish who likes to zoom in on divers/photographers with tentacles flared!
It was a little dull for some great underwater pics but I saw a Wobbie, Porcupinefish and of course Old Wives
The sun started to shine as we finished the swim. Here are Shane, Wendy and Jo. (Wendy’s son Chris is in The Manly Daily today. He’s a very successful electronic artist and record producer with What So Not)
Sooze and Lisa exuding joy and energy!
This is the lovely Jac Shell who led the run in to 8 degree waters at the Skinny Solstice swim at Hobart on Friday and got n the ABC news. Well done Jac!
Have a great day folks
Lainey x
Monthly Dinner – 10th July 2018 – Guest Speaker
The next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 10th July at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest speaker on the night will be sailor and B&B swimmer, Matt Hayes, who represented Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Matt and his crew of Rob Iles, Syd Seymour and Nicky Kukulka will talk about their upcoming two-year world circumnavigation aboard a Dufour class 56 feet yacht. Hear about the route they will sail, the pitfalls, dangers, highlights, yacht and personal preparations, oceans they will cross and the countries they will visit.
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.
WINTER BADGES:
The Winter swimming season is finally here!
Although the water temperature may be a little colder than you might like, there are several advantages of swimming in winter, including flat seas, good visibility and no bluebottles.
Perhaps the biggest advantage is that you can also qualify for a winter badge by swimming a minimum of 20 times between 1st June and 31st August.
You must also swim in at least 7 different weeks. If you manage to do all of your qualifying swims without a wetsuit (or other thermal enhancing equipment), you will also qualify for the coveted WWW badge (Winter without wetsuit).
So start now, and don’t forget to log your swims to qualify.
17 comments
Julieanne Culley
27/06/2018 at 11:57 am
I have to say, thank you so much for your posts. I only get to swim at Manly once a year for the Cole Classic, this year I stayed for one week and enjoyed a few extra swims. I’m hoping to do the same in 2019 I wasn’t brave enough to join you all this year but I did enjoy watching as I strolled along from the surf club to Shelly Beach, listening to the B&B banter as I was joyously floating nearby. I love the images you post aswell, gives me a sense of being there. One day the my numbers might come up and i can move to Manly from Wagga Wagga, you’ve got to have your dreams 🙂
Edwina Harrison
27/06/2018 at 12:13 pm
Sean on the left was never a dancer. 😂 but a paddler/kayaker at Olympic level. Belongs to Errol , a bit blurry but pretty sure that’s him. Beautiful sky photo
Lainey Loo
27/06/2018 at 1:31 pm
Thank you so much Julieanne. You must come and swim with us next time you’re in Manly. Just rock up to the tree and you’ll be made welcome. Thanks for your nice comments. Wish more people would comment as you feel someone’s reading blogs and they take time!
Lainey Loo
27/06/2018 at 1:32 pm
Thanks for shedding light Weenie!
Danny Lucas
27/06/2018 at 1:37 pm
What a great blog Lainey
Jenny ((:
27/06/2018 at 1:39 pm
Beautiful pictures especially the first one 💕
Lisa B
27/06/2018 at 2:27 pm
Beautiful blog Lainey. Love the photo of Tracey! What commitment!! Lovely photos of the gorgeous conditions. Great swim
Truth Fairy
27/06/2018 at 3:32 pm
I’m going a bit grey around the tentacles. Does that mean I am on the way out?
Lainey Loo
27/06/2018 at 4:19 pm
Thank you Danny 🙂
Lainey Loo
27/06/2018 at 4:19 pm
Bahaha if Truth Fairy is who I think it is…no way!
Lainey Loo
27/06/2018 at 4:20 pm
Thank you Lisa. It was so much better than anyone would have thought!
Lainey Loo
27/06/2018 at 4:21 pm
Thanks Jenny. My favourite too!
Shelley K
27/06/2018 at 5:44 pm
Beautiful blog as always Lainey, it’s good to be back, the water in Hobart was a bit cold for my liking although swimming with 1500+ nudies was fun.
Paul
27/06/2018 at 10:27 pm
Congrats, Jacqui. As the woman who rocks the most elaborate swimsuit wardrobe, you have a further claim to fame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZcepbnPFmU
Paul
27/06/2018 at 10:28 pm
Lainey, I’m still reading and enjoying your pics.
Sam McCourt
27/06/2018 at 11:56 pm
Hi Lainey. Swimmer at The Point was Trudi Ross, one of our Warringah Tri Club and friends peeps. Great blog and love the first pic! Stunning. How luck are we to be able to enjoy this piece of paradise every day 🙌🏻 I need to swim with you one day, as I’ve still not had any luck finding those amazing giant cuttlefish…
Suzie P
28/06/2018 at 6:16 am
That first pic! Wow!
Love your work Lainey.