26/01/2016 – What Better Way to celebrate Australia Day than a swim to a Toilet Roll?Yay!!!

Happy Australia Day everyone! Apologies if I’m in too many photos today. We were missing a blogger as poor old Brian was up half the night on SES duty. It was a magnificent photo taking opportunity day anyway so I didn’t mind blogging. (Lots of people insisted I get in photos as I was dressed up in Aussie style!) SO many people turned up today including 70 newbies! Such a shame that our favourite corner was full of bluebottles so the decision was made to swim to the Toilet Roll! And we did just that! (The ‘Toilet Roll’ is the cylindrical shaped building 900 metres from shore). Over 400 of us swam there in calm, warm and slightly murky water clocking up an impressive 1.8 km swim!

Beautiful sky at 6.30am by the way.

Before walking to ‘the other side’, in Bold and Beautiful tradition we had a gathering on the beach. Mike Baird gave the shortest speech in political history and reminded us we lived in the best place on earth and ‘Happy Australia Day’, Greg McDonaugh and Cathie led us all in an amazing rendition of ‘Advance Australia Fair’!

and good old Jim carried the flag.

The best possible way to start Australia Day with a B&B swim. Congratulations new swimmers!

Thank you Bruce for getting your son down to speak to us. He was too busy to swim with us today as he had around 7 engagements. He did swim with us last year though so he owes us one now!

It was quite exciting swimming in the harbour for a change. Even mutterings of Bull Sharks, oil from boats and other stuff didn’t put us off!

Most people managed to get to ‘The Toilet Roll’. I was quite happy to check on struggling swimmers and look to see if there was any marine life and not quite swim all the way. (It seemed a bloomin long way compared to Shelly). Ian F did come to the aid of a swimmer at the side struggling for breath. Well done Ian and all the others who looked out, to check on any swimmers in difficulty,

The worst underwater photo I’ve ever taken! You can just about make out a Goatfish, Mados and Bream though!

We were dodging boats closer to the shore but I haven’t heard of anyone colliding with one as yet. (Feel free to comment at end of the blog if you have anything to report).

Australia Day brings out the young, like 11 year old Alex above…

…to the more mature. Here is our inspirational Wilf who should be 81 very soon!

Hmmm…Not our average swimmer but we do take everyone! 

Even these quirky characters, Sue, Kat and Steve.

and even quirkier Michael,John and Greg!

and even more quirky Lainey, Ian, Gail and Lyndall 😉

To be inclusive I thought I’d post a screenshot of Pirate Alex’s account of his Aussie Day swim!

Guess the B&B Aussie Day chest!

Congratulations Suzie potgieter on becoming an Aussie today!

Have a wonderful day folks and if you haven’t been invited to an Aussie Day bbq (like me and Ted) come and join some friendly B&Bers down The Skiff Club later on for a few bevvies!

Signing off

Lainey Loo aka Elaine (It’s 5 years today since I did the best thing I’ve ever done, A B&B swim!)

B&B Swim School

Join Pacific Jules coach Sarah Anne for an hour in the ocean as they teach you the fundamentals of the underwater phase of your freestyle stroke.

This one hour session in the water will help understand the technique in easy to follow steps, bringing it all together to allow you to feel additional propulsion, power and speed.

When : Saturday 6 Feb 8-9am

Cost : $25

Location : Shelly Beach

Open to everyone and all abilities welcome.

What to bring: swim suit, cap, goggles, wetsuit compulsory, water and money for a hot cuppa afterwards!

Please email info@pacificjules.com.au for more information or to reserve your place. 

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Bold and Beautiful is owned and operated by Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad Pty Ltd.