Thursday, 26 May 2016 Never Trust the Weather Report

If the alarm went off this morning and you listened to the weather report on the radio before venturing out the door you probably would have rolled over and gone back to bed.  Rough seas, wet weather and generally downright miserable.  Well I know I’m glad that I just did the auto pilot out the door because today just reminded us how lovely winter swimming can be.

Although there are definitely more wetsuits being adorned and some pretend to shiver as they exit the water, it’s not the water making them cold, but rather than fresh winter nip in the air.  This morning there was a bit of a guess as to what the temperature was going to be – I think it was Ian who guessed correctly – yes 21.0 degrees.

There was the morning crossover with the 6.30 group coming in as the early starters for the 7am group started to head out.

Yes it was a bit grey and gloomy but Drinky told us how it was such a special special swim – nice and clear with plenty of fish to see.

This is the lovely Monica and Lisa.  They are two of the friendliest swimmers you will ever meet and always makes everyone feel welcome.

Here they are again at Shelly Beach.

And Rainer and Anne with a strategically placed drop of water.

We have some amazingly inspiring people in our group, people like Wilf who at 80 is still out there doing his triathlons, Lisa who always has a smile on her face and is so welcoming to everyone.

Today we met Sarah (pictured below with JK) who has just moved into the area and loves the ocean so chose to do her first ever ocean swim with us.  She could not believe how supportive everyone was.  Errol and I swam back with her in a nice leisurely pace. Once of the nicest things about swimming with Bold and Beautiful is there are very few rules – you don’t have to swim as fast as James McEvoy – although Stirling and the A-team may be to differ, you just need to get in and enjoy the water that is right at our back door.  So if you are sitting on the fence about coming down because you don’t know anyone or are worried you will be too slow, be like Sarah today and just give it a go.

The last inspiring person I want to draw your attention to is Joe from our friends at the Manly Beach Running Club.  Next week Joe will be leaving Brisbane and hoping to break the world record by running to Sydney – yes that’s right 1000km in 12 days.  As if that isn’t enough he will be running without speaking to raise awareness for men’s mental health – not bad for someone who use to smoke 30 cigarettes a day.  We wish him all the best.  Attached is a link to his journey page if you want to follow his progress.

https://www.facebook.com/Brisbane2Sydney12days/?notif_t=page_fan&notif_id=1464077227949189

Have a great day everyone – I know I will because I got to swim.

D from the Z’s

STATS:

Swam       150

Newbies:  Two

Temperature:       21.0

And now to other business:

*B & B Trivia Night*

As you are aware B&B is a free for all activity, but there are ongoing
costs that need to be met.  To help support B&B and keep it the wonderful,
inclusive, growing phenomena that it is we will be arranging a fund-raising
Trivia Night at The Steyne Hotel on Tuesday 12th July. Please keep this
date free so you can come along. In order to make this event a success, we
are asking for:
– volunteers to assist in the organisation of the event
– donation of goods and or services that can be used as auction items or
raffle prizes

If you can assist with either of these can you please contact John Kelly  (
jmk@balancemanagement.net.au).

*Winter Badge*

It’s nearly that time again. Winter is coming … and so are the winter
badges. The winter swimming season runs from 1 June to 31 August, and to
qualify for your winter badge, you must:
– swim at least 20 times during this period
– swim in at least 7 different weeks
– log your swims
To qualify for the WWW badge (winter without wetsuit) you must complete all
of the above without wearing a wetsuit or any other form of bodily thermal
enhancement (don’t forget to check the “without wetsuit” button on the log
in screen). Why not give it a try? Any questions – email Ian (
ugoboyo@gmail.com)