Another huge crowd of 308 swimmers turned out today to defy Monday blues for the last time for 2013.
The smart way to login is catching on!
87 swimmers switched on to the B&B login this morning. The other 221 will catch on eventually . . . if only to avoid the queues!
Amongst today’s newbies were Josh Frydenburg, the Member for Kooyong, and Amie, his wife.
And this fine swimmer in the red shirt was back for swim number two!
I am grateful that these guys from the Surf Club come out each morning to watch over our bags. Did you realise that the surf club puts out the tables for us each morning? So, do say hello and thank you to them next time you see them.
Lots of little groups hung about the shore today. Maybe the slight drop in water temperature was the reason. Just a degree or two does make the difference, but what the heck. You soon wake up.
Veteran swim meister Bruce was making sure his guests’ equipment were in working order before heading across the bay.
The Shelly stop has become a bit of a tourist attraction. I met some travellers from Sweden who were fascinated by the madness of this huge group’s daily ritual.
Now, I suppose many of you are thinking about New Year resolutions. It does seem to be the topic of conversation now that the food coma of Christmas has passed. In case you haven’t come up with any that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely), here are a few suggestions that will be so easy to achieve in the next week or two.
- Sign up to use the B&B login.
- Wait at the point for the ‘official’ let’s go.
- Practice deep breathing techniques to control ‘Shelly Excitement’, thus eradicating that embarrassing pre-mature, and entirely false, start to the return swim.
Water clarity is poor, so sadly I can only tell you that there were lots of fish shaped shadows darting about in the reeds and rocks.
A big advantage of being on holidays is the opportunity to chill out after the swim for that all important coffee chat with friends.
Even the dogs wait with eager anticipation.
Or was it just the sight of Andrew’s Christmas present?
See you all for the absolutely very last swim for the year tomorrow morning!!!
Mary
B&B Attendance Login
Come on folks – this is the most efficient way to capture your swims. It’s a smart phone friendly website so no need to download, just mark it as a bookmark. There are so many good reasons to use the B&B Login – like no queues, no need for glasses to find your name, and never missing the 7am call.
Log your swim between 5am and 9am for the 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. Happy clicking.
Summer badge swims
Every Saturday during summer there will be a 6km swim – usual route is to Freshwater and back; then once a month there is a 10km swim – this is to South Curl Curl and back. However, the final route depends on conditions that day so it is a good idea to arrive a little early to have a briefing from the designated swim leader. Both swims kick off at 7am.
The next 10km swim is scheduled for 11 January depending on conditions.
2014 B&B Calendar ON SALE NOW!!
Get one for yourself or pin it up at work. Give one to friends or send them overseas to the family back home. Only $15! BUY YOURS HERE NOW
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: 308
Newbie: 18
Temp: 20.9 degrees
Sunrise: 5.46am
Sunset: 8.08pm
17 comments
Snorkles
30/12/2013 at 11:54 am
Sadly I am at work today so cant enjoy the après-swim scene!
Hope to take part in NYE swim tomorrow though ..and sneak into work LATE!!!!
DWSS
30/12/2013 at 11:58 am
Great blog Mary. Thank you for taking the time to blog.
I am sitting up here on the Gold Coast watching the activities on the blog.
JK and Ian, I’m trying to App on as I sit next to the pool and its just not working.
Shelly swim, bolder, 6k and 10k, I have ticked them all!
I think I will use the old method and get someone to tick for me while I’m away.
Ian? JK? Binsy? 007?
Bill McCaffeine
30/12/2013 at 12:16 pm
Great Blog Mary !
I found a three strand silver and blue chain bracelet at the bench of wisdom, the seat of knowledge, bullshit corner…………. I have it and promise I wont wear it.
Let the B&B authorities know who you are and I’ll get it to you.
Lesbubbles
30/12/2013 at 12:24 pm
Hehe loveit! The dogs blinded and shocked by Andrew’s towel! !
By the way don’t panic everyone who app’ed on/ticked today and it’s not showing up..we are having technical issues. ..pls be patient we will fix 😀
Jane
30/12/2013 at 1:02 pm
So lovely to meet Marija’s parents this morning and have a chat with them at the Table of Knowledge. Their English is a lot better than my Dutch (which is non-existent).
Jenny Holmes
30/12/2013 at 1:11 pm
Hi and greetings from Laurel, Marylands where it’s decidedly chilly
Anne (Edwards) what number in Ivystone Lane?… We’re going to check it out tomorrow -our last day before returning to sunny Sydney. It’s been fun following many great blogs. Happy New Year!
Jill Rankin
30/12/2013 at 1:13 pm
great blog and thanks Mary!
Jane you look sensational! definitely keep that pic
see you all tomorrow for our lucky last swim for the year…
ros
30/12/2013 at 1:49 pm
Such a lovely swim this morning, if a tiny bit chilly. Marvellous sunshine, marvellous company! And didn’t those grrls on the tick table do well? and on the blog!
DWSS: don’t worry about your ticks, I’ll have a word to Binsey 😉
Always Late Fifi
30/12/2013 at 2:14 pm
hello swimmers,
anyone wanting to house/cat mind jan 9-26 jan? Big house with sweeping views of curl curl, pool etc. Must like cats. Please email fionaladob@optusnet.com.au with your details. Happy to take responsible students or travellers.
cheers
Pacific Jules
30/12/2013 at 2:24 pm
Lovely blog Mary.
Fabulous New Years resultion ideas ! Those who swim together can New Years Resolution together 🙂
Lips
30/12/2013 at 2:47 pm
Yes, but isn’t she swimming in the wrong direction?
Great blog Mary! Thanks for mentioning the surf club. Lovely gesture to provide the tables to us every morning..
Marije
30/12/2013 at 2:56 pm
Thanks for doing the blog, Mary. My favourite part today was having my parents from Holland here and have them walk along to Shelley while we were swimming. It’s nice that they now know why I always go on about the B&B swim and that they can see how great it is. Had a lovely chat afterwards on the benches with Jane, Wilf and Robbie.
Bill, that bracelet (it’s actually an anklet) is mine. Thanks for finding it and looking after it. Was a Christmas present from my flattie. Will come and find you at the swim tomorrow.
Jane
30/12/2013 at 5:41 pm
Lips – I did it my way 🎼 🎵🎶
LSA aka HKTQ
30/12/2013 at 9:02 pm
… a lot chillier here in Hong Kong for our ocean swim yesterday and another coming up on New Year’s Day…. And….my full wet-suit is in Manly!! Beautiful all the same…clear, cool, sunny days, 15c
Lindsay
30/12/2013 at 9:18 pm
Great blog! I must say that it’s fun to catch up on all the shenanigans from the other side of the world.
Richard also has some serious Christmas pressie envy after seeing Drink’s One Direction towel………
Anne E
30/12/2013 at 9:48 pm
Have sent you an email with more detail, Jenny. Can’t remember the number but it was the last on the left at the top of the hill just below a water tower. Hope you’re having a great time!! Hi to Roger.
Hannah
01/01/2014 at 9:58 pm
Thanks so much for the swim! I am visiting from New York and absolutely loved this. My own blog about it is at http://40pools.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/not-a-pool-manly-beach/.
-Hannah