It is Jane Stevenson’s birthday today. Jane is our oldest female swimmer and an absolute inspiration to us all. She swims whatever the weather without a wetsuit, has such a positive attitude and never grumbles about anything! She is passionate about the swim whether calm or wild conditions, loves chasing fish and doesn’t even complain when thrown on to halfway steps in wild surf! She’s a retired vet, a cancer survivor, an expert on the marine life in CTB and an absolutely wonderful person. Happy Birthday Jane! We all want to be like you when we grow up!
With sunrise at 5.46am I missed it this morning I’m afraid, but I was in time to catch the 6.30am Drinks Express at The Point and then at Shelly.
You would think Miles, one of our channel swimmers would be used to cold water but he even expressed a gasp going in today at a ‘balmy’ 17.7 degrees.
Michelle, Vicky, Madhi, Helen, Stacey and Ian from left to right!
Katrina was at her son’s formal last night until 2am but still manages an early swim. Best way to clear the head! Tedley and John either side for those of you learning names.
Here’s the birthday girl with her ‘Bestie’ Izzy and Elizabeth.
The water was pretty clear in patches so fantastic to see fishies again. These are called ‘pomfrets’ which is French for ‘french fries’, (with different spelling.)
A beautiful smooth swim across and we wait a bit longer at Shelly for the birthday girl. Hope you can spot yourself. We all like seeing ourselves on the blog! (Bloggers like comments about the swim at the bottom of the blog too so please let us know what you thought about the swim today!
Then a crazy German guy said, ‘Let me take a photo with you in it Lainey’, and proceeded to turn the camera around and take selfies!
Happy Birthday to Jane with the birthday splash!
Richard and Jane are equal 31st on The Pacific Challenge with 905.5 km swum. Check where you are by clicking on the top left hand side of blog.
Someone told me a large dark wobbegong swam below them as they headed off from Shelly. It was probably this one I spotted a bit later resting on the bottom.
Then Jalna, Ted and Lippy called me across to take a shot of this family of 3 Port Jackson sharks near The Point. We love our friendly sharks!
and our amazing blue gropers…
yellowtail…
and a cute Sergeant Baker
Did anyone else see this ball of mullet?
We heard Jules Isbill and Michael were flying in at 6am today so a great surprise to catch them having a swim as we got out. It’s a very short visit but so fantastic to see these 2. Without Jules and Michael it’s highly likely there wouldn’t be a Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad and we know how many lives it has changed for the better!
Jenny, Ros, Jalna and me with these 2 special people.
Inspiring ladies!
We must definitely be the most ‘touchy and feely’ swim group. So many hugs, bucket loads of smiles. Have a great weekend folks!
Lucy’s sister comes down to see how baby Silky is growing!
And who is that extremely bold pink capper in the water in Alaska with icebergs?
Jules asked me to include this in bottom of blog. Come on Tayls, Greg, John and co!
Winter Badge Presentation – This Sunday (21 September) after the swim
Come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster. Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Children’s Home (opposite the beach) on Sunday 21st September, straight after the regular 7am swim.
A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and …. RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (bacon and egg sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here for Badge Breakfast
All 2014 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for your upcoming summer badge challenges.
Calling All Media Tarts (whose not one of those)
James Pittar is doing his annual swim from Long Reef to North Steyne on Sunday 28th September to raise money for The Fred Hollows Foundation. James is asking swimmers to join him from Shelly to North Steyne with a BBQ to be held afterwards at North Steyne SLSC.
With Channel 9 coming down to film it is hoped that there will be lots of swimmers to join him. As seasoned swimmers along this route, the B&B guys are especially welcome.
To sign up to be part of James’s support team Click here for the link to the website and further information. Got a question? Contact Annabelle Sims via emailasims@hollows.org or phone 0422 947 739.
Staying Safe
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! ( Yet I have asked for this to be looked into and will report back in my next blog) (I am sure we could come up with something) 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.
The Stats
Regulars: 160
Newbies: 10 (well done guys!!)
Temp: 17.7 degrees
Sunrise: 5.45 am
Sunset: 5.52 pm
Signing off
Lainey Loo
16 comments
Elizabeth X
20/09/2014 at 12:10 pm
HAPPIEST of HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to JANE!
In my first couple of days swimming just a few months ago when I was incredulous at the idea of people swimming all winter without a wetsuit, Drinkie told me about the incredible Jane & if she could manage it all winter then he could. I couldn’t wait to meet her and was not disappointed. You are most definitely my inspiration Jane. Love and best wishes to you on your Birthday. X
Elizabeth X
20/09/2014 at 12:11 pm
Awesome blog Lainey, as usual. Thanks!
Elizabeth
20/09/2014 at 12:38 pm
A blog extravaganza! Great photos. Happy birthday Jane! What a gorgeous day to swim. Fabulous to see Michael and Jules- i have read Michael’s safety info lots with thanks . I saw the ball of silver fish -it is good to know what they are.
Elizabeth
20/09/2014 at 12:39 pm
Just saying, I am swimming with (or rather after) James Pittar next week. Why not register and do it too
Lost Khaki Coat
20/09/2014 at 1:59 pm
The khaki coat left behind last Saturday night hasn’t been claimed. It will be on the sign-in table in the am (before the badge ceremony) but after that may go to charity. Please claim if it is yours. Thanks
Lips
20/09/2014 at 2:47 pm
Stunning morning. Great blog Lainey.
Happy Birthday Jane! Legend!
Thanks for stopping by Jules & Michael. Remember, we start at 7am sharp.
Pacific Jules
20/09/2014 at 2:55 pm
Yeh sorry Lips, the pilot just wouldn’t flap any faster, slack I know !!
So awesome to be back with you all, even if for a flying visit. So wonderful to touch base and get a Manly fix and some good ole fashion luv ‘n hugs 😊
Happy birthday Jane, you’re truly amazing !!
Lovely blog (as always) Lainey ! Thank you xx
Jo
20/09/2014 at 3:46 pm
Great blog Lainey! Plenty of people and fish. Love learning the names of the local marine life.
Neil Richardson
20/09/2014 at 8:31 pm
Lovely blog Lainey, even nicer seen from afar. Happy birthday to Jane.
From data I’ve seen recently (I was following the progress of an acquaintance’s Channel swim yesterday) the English Channel is probably a bit warmer than the sea at Manly at the moment – we’ve had a warm mainly dry September until the last couple of days.
I’ve not been too well myself -had a throat infection for most of August which has hit my swimming badly, but I’m much better now and gradually getting my endurance in the water back. Still love my swimming and feel inspired to move on to greater challenges -and a lot of that is down to my experience with you all during November 2012
I still follow your blogs and the doings of the B&B with great interest and pleasure. It’s an inspiring group but it is difficult to replicate its success in our climate as participation is always going to be more limited and highly seasonal.
Jane
20/09/2014 at 8:34 pm
Amazing Mullet ball photo, Lainey. I’ve never seen that before – do you think they are pretending to be Catfish? I’ll send it to the OzMus Fishos to see what they think
Elaine de Jager
20/09/2014 at 8:48 pm
Thanks for your lovely comments. Hope you had a great birthday Jane. Enjoy the Badge Ceremony tomorrow. I’ll miss it as will be Half Marathoning.
Jalna
20/09/2014 at 9:12 pm
Good to hear from you Neil. Nice we can all follow each others swims from across the oceans.
LSA aka HKTQ
20/09/2014 at 9:23 pm
Happy Birthday, Jane, do pop back again when we’re around Jules & Michael and great blog, Lainey! xxx
LSA aka HKTQ
20/09/2014 at 9:27 pm
Neil, after some glorious swimming in Greek Cyclades, popped back into the Channel in Sussex and also promptly got a throat infection – hmmm. I admire your determination to inspire a group to regularly ocean swim in England!
Neil Richardson
21/09/2014 at 5:04 am
It’s not really for me to try to get coastal swimming groups going as I live so far inland (by British standards anyway). There are some at Bournemouth and Poole,one or two of which I go to when I’m in those parts. Some of them continue weekly year round, but there’s nothing meeting daily on a regular basis like you have at Manly.
You say you were in the Cyclades, was that on a specialist swimming holiday, SwimTrek or similar?
Simon
21/09/2014 at 6:27 am
Hi Lainey
Thanks for another great blog with all the bells and whistles.
Richard and I spotted a Port Jackson shark on the bower at Shelly. we followed it over the rocks and then found ourselves under a large wave with the PJ. A Unique experience.