30/07/2014 – Back to Paradise!

Hi Bolds! It’s Lainey back Wednesday blogging after a great trip away. Almost 6 weeks  the other side of the world…swimming in rivers, tarns, pools and oceans but…nowhere can  compare with swimming at sunrise here, across Cabbage Tree Bay with a mass of smiley faces lit up under bright pink caps!

The Drinks Expressers at 6.30am…

 

We didn’t come across any Boot Camps like this one anywhere either. Storchy’s free Booty Camp, what could be a better way to warm up before the swim. He’s even incorporated partner acro yoga in to a session by the looks of things!

 

I got up early to see a sunrise in England, Holland, Spain and Malaysia. None compared with this!

 

John Bond recorded the second lowest temperature this year at 16.5 degrees. Bloomin freezing if you’ve just come back from 28 degree water  and are nearly naked and 2 swims off a www badge! I even overhead 007  saying, ‘We need a few 16 degree days’!

 

Where in the world would you get a group of people looking as happy as this when they are about to throw themselves into cold water?

I notice from this shot how the tactics of photobombers have sank even lower since we’ve been away. Not only do they destroy set up photos like this one by jumping behind.(Elaine K especially asked me to take one of the ladeez for a photo book.) Some people even deliberately try and block people’s faces out with flippers…Disgusting 😉

 

Here’s one without Blog Tarts, Elaine. (Oops just noticed them in the background!)

 

Swimming in a murky tarn in the Yorkshire Dales was fun but not as good as this!

 

 

The views of oil tankers and coal barges as we swam in a tributary of the River Rhine in Holland were interesting, but not quite like this…

 

Our swims were a bit lonely and boring too…Here it’s always lovely to have a chat at Shelly, even when it’s cold. Infact when you are wetsuitless it seems to be appropriate to just go up to someone and hug them!I had a great ‘Wetsuit Sandwich’ yesterday. Today I’m trying to take a photo of all swimmers at Shelly cos we all like being on the blog!

 

 

 

These guys are off to school at Terry Hills after their swim. Good on ya guys!

 

It’s Krystina’s 500km swim. Congratulations Krystina!

 

For me, no swim would be complete without coming across the crazy, demented-looking, monster of the deep, they call ‘Lips’…(Looking even scarier since Germany won the FIFA World Cup)

 

We swam in waters described as the clearest in the world in Menorca, Spain. It may have been clear but not a fish or living thing in sight! Not like here!

A ball of mullet in a frenzy.

 

A gorgeous Port Jackson…

 

Over in my favourite spot, over the rocks, by the hut, I see the Yellowtail, Pomfrets, Old Wives and Mados again…

 

 

 

 

Anna is back from her Swedish trip too. Love seeing people having a chat together in the ocean, (of course you need a wettie for this right now!)

 

Back on dry land and the benefits of cold water swimming are showing on everyones faces. Look at these gorgeous ladies.

 

It’s good to be back!

Once again I heard these 3 words from a few people this morning, ‘Aren’t we lucky?’

YES WE ARE!

To watch a video of the inspirational Michael Teys and his English channel crossing.

click here

Amazing that he only started swiming long distance with us 3 years ago!

Bottom of Blog

Special Event – Guest Speaker!

The next B&B monthly dinner is on Tuesday 12th August at 6.30pm at Bluewater Restaurant. This month’s special presenter is Ruth Hollows, the youngest daughter of Fred Hollows.  Her presentation is on how she is helping fulfil her father’s legacy through her role as Ambassador for Wild Women On Top Sydney Coastrek.

The cost of the dinner is only $20 a head which 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.  Avoid disappointment and Book Now!

Fred Hollows is a modern legend, and was many things to many people – a husband, a father, a friend, a skilled ophthalmologist and for a few politicians and bureaucrats, an irritating thorn in their side. Above all else he was a humanitarian. This explains why he was so passionate about improving the health of indigenous Australians. In 80% of cases blindness is unnecessary, it can either be avoided or it can be overcome through a simple operation. Since Fred died The Fred Hollows Foundation has restored sight to well over one million people in the developing world.

Winter Badge season – only 5 weeks to go.

There are 14 weeks in the winter season.  To qualify for the prized Cold & Bold Badge you simply need to swim 20 times within the season ensuring you have swum in aminimum of 7 different weeks.  So, attempting to do it all in the first few weeks does not count!!  Make sure you use the i-Log to register your without wetsuit for the WWW badge.  The badge ceremony is being held straight after the swim on 21 September at the Royal Far West.

B&B i-Log

Log your swim ANYTIME of day using the B&B i-Log.  This is the best and easiest way to ensure your swims are 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 use the .

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:  120

Newbie:  0

Temp:    16.5 degrees (are you sure? The early lappers all said colder than yesterday!)

Sunrise:  6.48 am

Sunset:  5.14 pm

Signing off

Lainey Loo