The 5th Jan dawned like any other normal Saturday – 208 of Sydney’s finest showed up for a swim after a week of bluebottles and shark alarms but beautiful weather! Apparently the offending animal was no bigger than one of our cuddly duskies – which we liken to labradors for their friendly nature and willingness for a pat.
So really this is one of the best weeks of the year – the water is a beautiful 22c and everyone’s head is still free of work…
So.. the thing was we did get a little “owned” by a swarm of our little friends yesterday – (it’s good to see everyone is OK though) but apparently there was still a few out there this morning, so we decided to go “on tour” and move over to the harbour side for a rare swim on the dark side
… and it did look inviting! A change is always as good as a holiday (they say) … so a change while you’re on holiday must be like 2 holidays at the same time?!
Everyone was into it…
So the instructions from Jules are to swim out to the 16ft Skiff Club and wait – and from there we swim out to the”toilet rolls” I can tell it’s going to be a swim of new perspectives..
Kinda weird… but very flat and calm… for the uninitiated …. if you’re swimming along and suddenly you see a propeller… it’s best to stop. Hanging at the Skiffie took on new meaning. I can’t wait to be in there next so i can tell them what’s in the water… no surprises…
OK… and we’re off!
How many were surprised at how pretty the harbour is underwater? Rock gardens, sand, brick piles and some beautiful rays. A lot of people saw the Eagle ray.. Stephen Coulter took these beauties…
and Simon Cowell got this one…
Jules got a couple of pics of this beautiful Eagle ray..
…and so on to the Toilet Rolls for a B&B party (1st week of the year style) ..
with a lot of underwater dancing… most people think we’re a swimming group… but check out these moves!
Then it’s time for a geniune iconic B&B photo opportunity.. these could go on a few walls at home..
There’s nowhere you’d rather be huh?
Today’s stats:
Water temp: 21.5c
Sunrise: 5:50am
Sunset: 8:10pm
Swimmers: 208
6kers: 12
10kers: 16
See who did which swims on the daily attendance here
Welcome to 13 new swimmers!
Last week John Bond asked me to include a bit on the 10k swims, to raise awareness and hopefully get some committment so we know if we can run them. There is a fair bit of preparation that goes into the support for these swims so please put your hand up and let John know if you’re up for the challenge as he needs to get things organised.
Don’t forget, Jonny and Di Schaffer have very kindly offered to host a farewell picnic for Julie and Michael from 5pm on Sunday 13th January in Clontarf.
It will be nice and relaxed so that everyone can enjoy themselves, so it would be great if people can bring their own ‘picnic’ and drinks OR a plate of finger food to share and drinks (including any utensils they may need incl glasses / beakers etc…) for themselves.
People can arrive anytime from 5pm, in time to watch the sun go down over our beautiful Sydney Harbour.
Everyone is most welcome, but to help give us an idea of numbers please could everyone RSVP (to another lovely swimmer) Cate Brockbank at catejb33@yahoo.com.au with their estimated time of arrival and in return Cate will reply with the address 🙂
Calendars! – There’s still a few left.. Please get yours now from Jules… they are a collectors item… she’ll even sign it for you!
To read Michael’s tips on how to stay safe in the surf and harbour ….please click here
20 comments
Pacific Jules
05/01/2013 at 2:04 pm
Great blog Nick. You captured the gorgeous conditions in the harbour beautifully 🙂
What a treat. It really was a lovely swim this morning, so smooth and clear with no dodgems needing to be played with little stingy things as the harbour was totally sting free.
It was a stunning 6 and 10km journey ‘badge’ swim with fantastic company too. Well done to everyone, but especially ALL the first timers, including Leisa Barry who had absolutely no intention of doing a 10km swim when she left home this morning and to Brendan Maher who swam the WHOLE 10km KICK ONLY – WOW !!!
Fabulous morning and very well done to all xx
The submarine formerly known as Brendan"
05/01/2013 at 2:17 pm
Great blog Nick, and fantastic photos, especially the ones with the ferry in the background
John
05/01/2013 at 2:37 pm
Well done to all who successfully completed the 6k or the 10k ‘Challenge’ swims,especially first timers. Despite the unpleasant conditions at the beach(NE wind,blueys)we were still able to run all swims today.
We are blessed to have beautiful Sydney Harbour as an alternative venue. As the photos show,the weather and water conditions were excellent.
Only one more opportunity in February for the 10k swim with the 6k on any Saturday during the summer months.
Lucy
05/01/2013 at 3:07 pm
Mr Bond, what date in Feb for the 10km?
Tedley
05/01/2013 at 3:56 pm
Great blog Nickster, harbourswim is certainly a seachange from the most beautiful ‘regular’ run! Love the photos.
John
05/01/2013 at 4:12 pm
Have not commited to a date yet. 23 Feb is a possibility.
Michael [EX CI]
05/01/2013 at 4:34 pm
The harbour was beautiful. All those who won’t ever swim in the harbour should have tried it today.
The sun was shining, the water was clear, it was as flat as an ice rink and it was warm!!
It was really lovely.
annie "yay" I found my smurf suit in a tree
05/01/2013 at 4:58 pm
I so agree…it was such a wonderful alternative swimming in the harbour and we are so lucky to have that option…dodging propellers and fumes made it all the more fun! I’m all for some more bluey blow-ins if that is what the alternative is!
Great Blog Nick and piccies of Stephans…I love the beer bottles, stingray with fish sidekick and the pink caps with ferry…how magical.
Loving also that smurfy got a “behind the scenes” shot…does that count on the spready?
Nick D
05/01/2013 at 5:02 pm
Thanks all 🙂 xx
Nick D
05/01/2013 at 5:03 pm
… I’m not the spready admin… she’s away! 😉
Anna Alvsdotter
05/01/2013 at 6:22 pm
Wow, just woke up from a well earned afternoon nap after this morning’s stunning 10km tour of the harbour.
Great blog, Mr Dawkins!! Lovely photos too – must borrow some for the obligatory FB boasting 🙂
'The Lips' currently on sick leave but watching closely..
05/01/2013 at 8:30 pm
It doesnt!! That could be anyone’s bottom in that smurf suit..
Sharon will make final ruling on this when she’s back. But I wouldnt get my hopes up if I were you Annie.
'The Lips' currently on sick leave but watching closely..
05/01/2013 at 8:36 pm
Great blog Nick! Harbour pictures look stunning.
Congrats to all 6k / 10k champions today! There will be badges galore at the end of this summer. Which means BnB hoodie sales will skyrocket as badge ‘virgins’ need something to put their badges on!! Well played Jules! 🙂
Hope to be back for Shelly swim tomorrow. The annoying NE should die down by then..
Pacific Jules
05/01/2013 at 8:50 pm
“like”
Michelle
06/01/2013 at 12:12 am
Great blog and pics Nick. Loved the harbor swim…thanks as always jules for leading the charge…i love the pic with ferry as backdrop…well done.
Michelle
06/01/2013 at 12:14 am
I love the banter of the blog tarts…highly entertaining
Nick D
06/01/2013 at 10:27 am
If it’s rough on the open side and the harbour is an option it might be easier to get more people to commit to the 10kers up front eh?
gianino.saralauren@gmail.com
06/01/2013 at 3:01 pm
Great blog! 🙂 THat was one of the top 23 swims of my life! Thank you for a wonderful 6k swim! 🙂 So glad I moved here!
Kylie
07/01/2013 at 8:23 am
Thanks john, it was a great swim for 6k first timers like me! Never would have imagined I could swim 6km before joining th b&b a couple of months ago so thanks everyone for the inspiration, especially lauren!
Does anyone have the photo of us all before heading off on the 6km leg?
Nick D
07/01/2013 at 8:43 am
HI Kylie – I sent them to your gmail address 🙂