26/9/14 – Get Your Friday On!

Happy Friday everyone!

Only one more week until Daylight Saving! (Oct 5)

Sydney area – 20c – Partly cloudy. Winds southwest to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h, reaching 35 km/h along the coast.

The water has flattened out from the last few days and the visibility is slightly better ..

 

 

 

 

Mark Allan…….. Gangsta…

 

Michael’s last day today – it’s been great having him back this week…

 

 

 

Billy has had a haircut in time for the big wedding ….

It’s Ed’s birthday today! … here he is straight from partying all night at the Boatshed

 

Where’s Moe?

 

Special appearance from the Incredible Hulk – careful Sparkles – he’s radioactive…

 

Dr Becky and Sterling

 

Alexis looking cold but happy..

 

Julie on her first swim today … out in the middle of the bay… she made it there and back first go… well done!

 

“Christie ….. Michael Christie”

 

 

 

Check out these exclusive pics of 3 metre Grey Nurse sharks doing their mating dance in the Aquarium! Yep, it’s that time of year where they become more active, and the males go through dominance displays by positioning themselves higher in the water. The water temp in the Aquarium is always the same as the harbour.

These frames were captured by Sharnie, who was in the water with them!

Grey Nurse sharks don’t have arms to cuddle with, so they use their teeth (see pic 7) which leaves a scar or two…

 

 

 

The Grey Nurse shark (Carcharias taurus), also called the Sand Tiger shark or Ragged-tooth shark, is an elasmobranch and belongs to the carpet shark family. It can easily be recognized by its characteristic conical snout and under hung jaw. Both jaws are laden with sharp, long and pointed teeth. The head is flattened and it has a large and stout body which ranges up to 3.2m and may weigh up to 300 kg. The body is grey to grey-brown dorsally and off-white on the belly. The juveniles (young sharks) usually have dark spots on the upper two thirds of the body. The first and second dorsal fins are of similar size and the caudal fin is asymmetric. Once believed to be a man-eater it is now known that this shark rarely attacks humans and if it does it is only in defence; or if baited.

Sharks are the top predators in our oceans, and as such they are important for the marine ecosystems as important regulators of other species. They eat the weak, the old and the dead animals. The Grey Nurse sharks eat mainly lobsters, crabs, smaller sharks, fish, rays and squid.

This is “Striker” the largest female..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Freckles ..  sporting a few scars from rough shark play

 

Today we saw this beautiful smooth ray.. hard chasing with no fins ..

 

 

 

 

 

Flathead are everywhere..

 

Sergeant Bakers on parade..

 

 

 

 

 

The dark wobbie – not looking very comfortable…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rouge jelly appeared earlier in the week – put in specially for Julia Baird…

 

 

 

 

 

There’s lots of Wobbies in the bay right now with different markings …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

..and some of the usual suspects …

 

Starting tomorrow!

Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday Yoga! 6:15am – A great alternative when Booty Camp is not on!

Come down and loosen up before the swim!

Of course it’s free!!

 

 

Stats:

Swimmers: 79

Newbs: 6

Water: 18.1c

Have a great day everyone..

 

B&B i-Log The B&B i-Log is the best way to capture your swims!!  Log your swim ANYTIME of day using this really efficient and easy way to ensure your swim is recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge.. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster ugoboyo@gmail.com (This is not a link so please copy and paste into your email). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.

Staying safe Are you prepared for the return of the surf? 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.  Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf.  To read, or even download, click here.