20/02/14 – It can really not get better than this!

All of our swims are special but once in a while everything comes together…The sun rises over Cabbage Tree Bay putting on a fantastic display of colours, the water temperature is warm and ocean calm maybe with a gentle wave and the visibility is beautifully clear with loads of fish swimming amongst us…Us bloggers have used up all the superlatives to describe our swims!

Bumped into lovely Jill as we crossed paths with the early swimmers this morning…She was ecstatic, ‘It’s SENSATIONAL!’ She exclaimed.  ‘Seriously! It’s warm,  calm, clear and there are LOADS of fish!’ 133 swimmers experienced a most magical swim today!

Jill was one of the Drinks Express captured swimming below, underneath that gorgeous sky at 6.35am on this most stunning of Thursday mornings…

 

You have to be in Manly early! With the later sunrises it’s not too early to get out of bed to see all this at this time of year. With the ocean still 22 degrees it’s a perfect time of the year to swim.

 

These cyclists wanted to be on the blog, Timmo, Steve and John, (well not sure if it’s John but there’s a good chance 😉 They cycle from St Ives, swim with us and then head to work!

 

Our favourite corner…

 

Our latest B&B addict Heather, all the way from Georgia USA, now residing in Avalon and coming down to swim up to 5 times per week!

 

Lesbubbles, JK and Jenny are waiting to see who is the 7001st B&B swimmer. Yes we have reached 7000!! That many lucky people have experienced our swims!

 

Here is Dr Cathie with Lisa, the 7 thousand and 2nd swimmer!

 

These guys seem to think it’s a race. Sterling got the gold yesterday, wonder who it will be today?

 

Even Di (from Wild Women on Top and Coastrek), likes the conditions this morning.

 

Mark with daughter Jasmin, heading out at 7am with the rest of us.

 

Now some of these ladies have just been away on holiday in China and even though they had a great trip they are SO happy to be back. Deb said she got sad reading the blog as she missed the swim so much!

 

Rusty was feeling dusty today, as in really not well, but I caught him after his swim and he said he felt much better. ‘The ocean is very healing’ he declared!

 

John and Tedley think so too.

 

There aren’t many squeals today with air temp on 23 and water temp on 22!

 

Heather points out a catfish swirling around in the weed below.

 

We all gather at The Point under an incredible sky…

 

I stop to ‘smell the roses’ with John Bond on the way to Shelly, his comment is… ‘This is as good as it gets!’

 

Ash stopped me to point out a Port Jackson on the way over. They come to CTB in Autumn and stay all Winter. Belinda, the marine ecologist told us they have good memories and would remember Cabbage Tree Bay. Welcome back PJs!

 

Arrived a bit late at Shelly as people were pointing out catfish and flathead too!

It’s Tim Giovanelli’s birthday today. He must be the coolest Pastor on the planet!

 

He is allowed to shout ‘Let’s Go’ and uses this privilege to get a head start but Sterling is on to him! By the way, it is not a race, only for a few swimmers!

 

Here we have the first person to swim with the B&B, Jenny Knapman, with the 7000th swimmer, Lynn!

Lesbubbs calls out…there’s a bright orange starfish hidden in the rocks!Well spotted!

 

Little Sarah got Storchy up at 5.45am to swim the slow version of the Bolderdash with her, the Boldercrawl. It was early for him, think he forgot to put his teeth in!!!

 

We saw sergeant baker, PJS, yellowtail, groper, mados, old wives, numb fish, black fish, stingrays and all kinds of creatures swimming back!

 

 

 

 

Sorry about the ‘UPC’ shot 😉  (Not sure whose clacker!)

 

 

Annie (below swimming with mados) is leading Booty Camp again tomorrow and the theme is ‘The Sky’s the Limit’ so wear something blue! She leads a great workout with music and free dancing too. Everyone welcome and totally free at 6am!

 

 

 

Birthday cake for Tim at the benches!

 

 

 

 

Sparkles is overjoyed by the swim and points to the writing on Ted’s shirt. We really are ‘Living in Paradise’ and swimming in it too!!

 

 

Bottom of Blog:

February is Heart Research Month, and we’re raising $1 for every kilometre we swim during the month.

We need to start kicking this along!  The swimming is going ok, but a little more for the $$$$ would be great. Here’s the update…

https://redfebrelay.everydayhero.com/au/bold-beautiful-swim-squad-manly

 

B&B i-Log

Almost 50% of swimmers are now using the B&B i-Log. 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). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to get started.

 

Summer is going, going . . .

The last Summer Badge Swim for this year is the 6km this coming Saturday!  If you want that badge be at the usual meeting spot by 6.45am for a briefing from the designated swim leader.  The usual route is to Freshwater and back, depending on conditions on the day.  The swim kicks off at 7am with the regular mob.

 

Bolderdash

This daily swim to Queenscliff and back DEPARTS the surf club at 5.50am.  As these are generally intimate groups, please WAIT for everyone in the water before heading off.  Do buddy up with someone – great to be with someone who has the same pace – that way everyone is ‘accounted for’ at Queenscliff.

 

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.  Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf.  To read, or even download, click here.

 

The Stats

Regulars:  133 swimmers inc 6 Bolderdashers

Newbie:  7

Temp:   22.1 degrees

 

Have a fantastic day everyone!

Signing off

Lainey Loo