12/08/2015 – Jump into Life Jump into the Ocean!

  

There are a lot of gutsy people in our swimming group…The sort of people who believe life is for living and try and make the most of each day. The sort of people who ‘jump into life, jump into the ocean’! We know the best start to our day is a swim and a dose of vitamin sea. Happy Wednesday folks!

Many of us had a great evening at Bluewater Cafe last night and heard one of our swimmers, the lovely Caroline Kelly talk about her late husband’s shock diagnosis of inoperable and untreatable pancreatic cancer in 2008. This led her to set up a charity to raise money for research into this type of ‘forgotten’cancer. Seven years later it has raised over $6 million and many advances have been made in treatment. There is now hope out there for so many who contract this disease. The Avner Foundation and Caroline are organising a 5km walk on Sunday 16th from Shelly to Queenscliff and back and are hoping as many of us can do it at 10am. This amazing swim is totally free the least we can do is give back a little by supporting these causes. Think about how much you are saving on gym memberships, pool fees etc! Vicky from Access Communications even donates your pink cap!

We are also having a Cake Stall on Saturday post swim for the Avner Foundation. Please bring something to sell and/or buy some treats! Thank you to Zab for organising this.

Please click on this link and join THe Pink Caps group or donate to this very worthy cause. click here

Now on to today’s swim and what a glorious Wednesday morning it was!

The Drinks Express step out in to 17 degree water with an air temp of 9 degrees.

Stylist Annie models the latest preswim fashion attire complete with elephant printed PJ bottoms

 The Booty Campers were there too, led by Jen on Wednesdays.

 and outside The Surf Club the ‘special’ people congregate… Lesbubbs pulls an attractive face with Drinky!

Jim, Mike, Sara, Ian and Sheena jump in for a photo!

Still quite a few of us without wetsuits head on in. Must have been about 90 swimmers in total today.

 There have been lots of Port Jacksons around lately. (Some swimmers have even witnessed a bit of ‘Shark Porn’ (PJs mating 😉 This one was quite close to Shelly.

Jennifer dives down to get a better view of this PJ.

 Water clarity was fantastic again!

Mel is enjoying swimming through her pregnancy.

The ‘A Team’ pose for a couple of photos before their race back.

I swim over the rocks as usual on the way back to see all the amazing marine life.

Diamondfish

Yellowtail

The Yellowtail suddenly swim away and then I see they are being chased by this Kingfish.

A cute little Pufferfish (or is it a Porcupinefish Jane?) hides in the sea grass as I swim in to shore. (By the way hope you are feeling better Jane, we’ve missed you!)

Our speaker from last night Caroline exiting the water with Steve.

And a few photos of earlier in the week…

The Port Jackson family near the point.

Sparkles swims with a PJ…

I found this old photo I took of Sparkles swimming with a wobbegong.

Dorset and Jill

And below a few swimmers getting dressed or under their hot water bottle. Guess who!

Here’s an underwater shot of our gorgeous Ed who has had a huge operation to get rid of his pancreatic cancer and is now undergoing chemo to try and get rid of the last traces. He’s still swimming though and loving our group. Give him a big hug when you see him next. (especially if you are single and preferably female:-)!

 

Royal Far West Fundraiser

Prior to the Wallabies departure for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, you are invited for lunch and a chat with Bill Pulver (CEO of the Australian Rugby Union)

 

When: Thursday 20 August 2015

Time: 12 pm to 3 pm

Where: The Steyne Hotel, Manly

Cost: $900 for table of ten

Or $100 per person

Includes 3 course meal and beverages

A great opportunity to hear first hand from Royal Far West’s friend and ARU CEO, Bill Pulver, who will be under the spotlight and happy to take questions at this event. All proceeds from the luncheon will help Royal Far West continue to provide health services to children living in rural and remote New South Wales. Photo credit – The Australian

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Staying safe

Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits.  Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.

Signing off

Lainey aka Elaine