Today was forecast to be the windiest and rainiest day of the week, the rain bucketed it down at 6am, the surf was wild and there were loads of bluebottles but… it didn’t deter 55 of us from jumping in for our ‘vitamin sea’! Even though one of our bravest and kindest swimmers, (Drinky above) had to jump out pretty quick because of those blueys. Look how bright and beautiful it turned out though!
It really was a Halfway day after we heard how the early swimmers had been ‘hammered’ by blueys or waves. So at 7am most of us (except for 4 of the Speedsters) walked around to Fairy Bower.
Love this shot!
There were waves at Halfway too but loads of swimmers helping each other which is always lovely to see. The entry at Fairy Bower with waves crashing against the wall always makes for some fun photos!
The light and sky was breathtaking today and Fairy Bower buildings reflecting that sunshine!
The water was really churned up but I still managed to spot a Port Jackson, Diamond fish and schools of yellowtail heading to Shelly. A bit murky for photos though.
Dave Dreamboat, Bishop Tim and The Spaniard swam through the surf and luckily missed the bluebottles. Quote of the day from Dave back at Manly Wine. ‘I’d rather DIE than go from Halfway!’
Many men more men than ladies today!
And some brave kids. Alex and Jordan with Dad Andrew.
Back we go through the choppy water to Halfway.
I imagine Tayls is saying, ‘Where are all the women?!!’
Wendy and a blurry Julie enjoy their swim before dashing off to work. Julie has more than 700 children to oversee! She’s over the moon to be working a bit closer to Manly. The coolest Principal about I reckon!
So no Silky the dolphin today, bluebottles and choppy surf but are we glad we swam? You betcha! (Hopefully you guys who did get stung had a long hot shower and are feeling much better.) Can you let us know Fifi, Simon? on blog comments.
Now the rain has reappeared, so it looks like, as so often happens, we got the best weather of the day at 7am!
Enjoy the last few days of Winter folks!
Special Event – Guest Speaker!
The next B&B monthly dinner will be on Tuesday 9th September at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. On the night we have Miles Tollan, giving a special presentation about his recent solo crossing of the English Channel. Miles will tell us about his motivation for taking on this challenge, the training he went through and the preparations for the swim itself. This is your chance to hear it first hand and ask the questions you’ve been dying to ask, including all about his miraculous 13 kg weight-gain program!
The cost of the dinner is only $20 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of mains to choose (incl a vegetarian option), corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff. Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential: To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please BOOK HERE NOW,
Winter Badge season – 277 already qualified.
There are 57 swimmers who can also qualify with just a couple more swims! Check out the stats from the attendance page. The badge ceremony is being held straight after the swim on 21 September at the Royal Far West.
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.
The Stats
Regulars: 55 (only 14 of whom were female)
Newbie: 0
Temp: 17.2 degrees
Sunrise: 6.19 am
Sunset: 5.33 pm
22 comments
Tim
27/08/2014 at 11:12 am
Wonderful blog Elaine. Would you like me to send you some of Dave’s other comments from this morning?
Tayls
27/08/2014 at 11:37 am
Well done Lainey….you put so much effort into your blogs & it shows.
Yes, I was asking that exact question !! Fortunately I had my ” Lyndall ” hit which got me thru morning coffee.
Driftwood
27/08/2014 at 12:11 pm
I went with 6.30 crew today, and it was tough for me. They swam out and around Tardis. I took a shortcut – and still managed to reach Shelly last.
Drank a bit o’ebola. Strong current too. (I was longing for Shelly headland’s buffer.)
But I felt great later on!
Fifi
27/08/2014 at 12:30 pm
Dera Lainey,
thank you for asking after me, i am perfectly good now, but it was rather a tough morning.
For the last ten days I have been on a new regime where i have cut right down on sugar and carbs. I have had lots of good advice from my “advisors”, but apparently it takes about three weeks to adjust. So I have found that i am not able to count on being able to mobilise energy quickly like usual. So I just have to watch myself.
This morning the surf didnt look too threatening, thopugh the soild curtain of rain was a bit obstructive. I saw the blueys washed up and dismissed them as small and relatively low-dose, so to speak. Plus rain usually does them in.
I swam out wide towards Shelly and became snagged on blueys when I hot a swarm of them, fortunately having Richard Agius and Bruce on hand to help pick them off. WE continued on to Shelly and then decided to take a closer route in to get back, which we did.
I did notice that I was getting a little shaky from the stings and that I was a sluggish in the water, so when a rogue wave came out of nowhere as we approached the point i had to really work hard to climb the whitewash. Just as I popped up, the undertow pulled me straight down again by the feet, so I was a bit out of breath.
When I saw Billy racing in close to the rocks, I realised that I didnt have the energy to chase him, so I swam further north to see what things were like up there: the surf seemed to have gone quite mad with crosscurrents, big sets and whitewash everywhere. The rescue boards had all headed in.
I then hit the wall: no breath, no muscles. Thankfully SAM popped up just as I began to feel quite tired and felt like floating out to sea and rolling onto my back for a bit of a nap. Sam very very kindly stayed with me and when I told him I was going to head back to Shelly he came along with me. I really appreciated the company.
I think that might be the second time ever I have gotten out at halfway! and I was very happy to.
So big big thanks to Sam and to the 6am pod who all stayed around to see where I was. Considering I was swimming for an hour you must have all missed your ferries! xxxxx
BIG THANKS TO SAM SERISIER you are AWESOME xx
Elaine de Jager
27/08/2014 at 1:07 pm
Those regarding a ‘keel’??
Elaine de Jager
27/08/2014 at 1:10 pm
Thanks Tayls. Yes it’s usually ‘so many women so little time!’
Elaine de Jager
27/08/2014 at 1:17 pm
Oh Fifi you are so brave and gutsy but know your limits too, (which are way beyond most peoples.) It sounds like you really had an absolute battering but knowing you, you’ll be back for more bright and breezy tomorrow. It’s great how we all look after each other isn’t it. Good on ya Sam and co.
Does that mean it’s best if I keep on chuffing down the sugary teas and fig and walnut toast to keep my energy levels up? 😉
Thanks for the report Fifi (and Roger). I was amazed to see Drinky come back in and you two are so brave and determined it must have been really bad. Is Drinky ok?And what about the 4th person who didn’t come back in with Dave,Tim and Marc?
Lips
27/08/2014 at 1:18 pm
OMG! Sounds like a war diary. Thank God you’re okay Fi! And well done Sam! True BnB spirit.
Great frontline reporting Lainey!
Fifi
27/08/2014 at 1:22 pm
I have had offers from Channel ten wanting to make a telemovie…
Fifi
27/08/2014 at 1:24 pm
Lainey, going by your body shape compared with mine, I would suggest you keep right on doing what you are doing!!!
Fifi
27/08/2014 at 1:25 pm
oh and writing that oversized epic comment distracted me. Great blog post Elaine and great pics.
Elizabeth
27/08/2014 at 1:35 pm
Ok so that is what it takes for fiona to exit at halfway.
John.ST.
27/08/2014 at 1:36 pm
Oh friend Lemur, not the face? not the face?
Hope you’re ok and glad you acknowledge both Sam and your limits.
Important that everyone including the very strong and best swimmers, (David, Bishop et al.) know their limits or at least be aware that there are limits.
And Lemur stopping carbs effects your brain. Eat them!
xx
E-Laine top blog, pip pip!
Fifi
27/08/2014 at 1:55 pm
carbo loading as I type…
and I was stung all over including my face but I put on this cream called Rapaid and it was fantastic. I might pack it into my swim bag.
Halfway Hooray Henry
27/08/2014 at 2:42 pm
Halfway is a great place to start and finish your CTB swim. 5 stars. Highly recommended.
Lesbubs
27/08/2014 at 3:57 pm
Hey come on !! Looking good trumps everything! Even Dreamboat Dave would rather DIE than be seen walking out at halfway!
Lesbubs
27/08/2014 at 3:58 pm
Er… There is such a thing as healthy carbs.. It doesn’t have to be cake and coffee you know!! Ymmmm coffeeee..
Lesbubs
27/08/2014 at 3:59 pm
Er…That’s coz she gives most of her food away at breakfast!!
Anna McBold
27/08/2014 at 4:29 pm
I agree HHH- Dave doesn’t know what he’s missing!
Fifi
27/08/2014 at 7:29 pm
I didn’t say I was cutting carbs out. I have just cut DOWN…
Please explain
27/08/2014 at 11:38 pm
CTB?
Lainey
28/08/2014 at 7:00 am
Cabbage Tree Bay, the Marine Reserve we swim across.