“There may be as much nobility in being last as in being first, because the two positions are equally necessary in the world, the one to complement the other” – Jose Ortega y Gasset
Since joining the swim, my main concern, other than drowning and sharks, has always been that I am (on many occasions) the person that keeps everyone waiting at Shelly. There’s a lot of kudos for the A-Team … some days they even get their own “let’s go” and so I thought I would use my maiden blog voyage to acknowledge the virtues of being back of the pack 🙂
- It sets the bar low
On the days that I’m NOT last into the cove, everyone is impressed !
Cue an astonished John Kelly on seeing me in front of him at Shelly …
“did you walk round !???” - I may be last, but I’ve swam further
It’s not uncommon for me to attempt to unintentionally swim to New Zealand on some mornings… In fact, I’m thinking of asking ‘Head Office’ to include this swim on the App … “Manly to Shelly via the North Island” - “Nice Guys” finish last
Fact. Just google it - I get to “smell the roses” ! …
Wisdom bestowed upon me by the lovely Ian Forster. It is NOT a race.
Firstly … WAIT AT THE BL**DY POINT !!! … smell the sewage, collect the rubbish, and when you (and I mean me) are not flapping around like a distressed seal, you might actually see some fish and start to appreciate the beauty beneath - Better last than not at all …
I have to be honest, there are mornings when I would rather just lie-in and shower at Rusty’s, but … as my lovely Nan used to tell me before writing me off as “picky” at aged 35, there are plenty more fish out at sea. I never regret doing it, but I always regret it when I don’t….Even if I am beaten back to the beach by a piece of driftwood. - The audience is bigger on arrival !
Because of course, everyone is looking at me - Everybody loves a late bloomer !
Ducklings become swans, caterpillars into butterflies … Jones goes from literary anonymity, to blog stardom
This time next year …
Jenny who follows the swim all the way from San Francisco, joined us for her first swim .. she was very happy about the balmy temperatures 🙂
Father -daughter team up for the swim .. either great minds think alike, or they called each other beforehand 😉
Drinksy practicing the Team Mini Adventure Point …
Sterling clearly has plans to smuggle more than just a budgie …
Daisy-Boo arrived from quarantine yesterday …. Had to leave these salty sea-dogs behind 😉
Waiting for me to arrive …
Let’s go!
Obligatory fish pics …
Photography is clearly not my forte, so I enlisted the help of an expert ….
Jones 🙂
kellyjonespersonaltrainer.com.au
www.facebook.com/Kellyjonespersonaltrainer
Stats:
Swimmers: 200
Newbies: 21
Water Temp: 21.3
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 – his email address is: (PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS EMAIL INTO YOUR EMAIL, DO NOT CLICK on it)
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.
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.
Lost Property
Is this anybody’s ? …
33 comments
lainey loo
23/03/2014 at 12:10 pm
Well done Konesy Jonesy on your first blog! Great work! I know just how you feel as on flipperless days I am last ( unless I started early).The worst thing is when you get that sympathy clap, bit humiliating! Love your pics of Rusty trying to look cool and getting a mouthful of salty water!
Lesbubbles
23/03/2014 at 12:20 pm
oh yeah me too!! I remember those coming in last days!! 😀
Yeah well done Kelly!! Nice and simple and interesting!
LSA aka HKTQ
23/03/2014 at 12:22 pm
Kelly, great blog and totally agree with all your Lastie points – just relax and let them shiver and clap:-)
Down with a touch of coral poisoning, so have gracefully handed over my crown to Billy! Go Billy!! Hope to at least be able to hobble along to do a Bill and enjoy the coffee break tomorrow. Another couple of days out of water and should be good….
Snorkles
23/03/2014 at 12:29 pm
Great blog, and are you sure you are last? I thought I was !!
Lainey
23/03/2014 at 12:39 pm
Missed you hugely today LSA. Hope you recover soon. Try and hobble down tomorrow x
Margot
23/03/2014 at 12:53 pm
In response to your comment about saving people from carb overload yesterday Ian, it’s people like you – those altruistic, unselfish types, who make B & B so special. Thanks for that big gesture (yesterday). Hope there were no rips today!
Simon
23/03/2014 at 1:16 pm
“Like” (from Manly)
Kelly I especially enjoyed your personal touch..
John.s
23/03/2014 at 1:46 pm
LSA, What about our Tuesday double? I feel slighted!
Get happy quick. Xxx
Kelly, lovely first blog, congrats , I can hear the pommy accent coming through in your words.
Jane
23/03/2014 at 2:26 pm
Now just accept it guys – you’ll never be last at Shelly when I am in the swim, so stop bragging……
Elizabeth
23/03/2014 at 3:07 pm
Wonderful blog. I enjoyed seeing that lovely 6 year old swimmer arrive at Shelly. She had great swimming style!
Jill Rankin
23/03/2014 at 3:35 pm
well done Kelly, great blog and i think its just great to all be out there “havin a go”….imagine lying in bed and missing that! …not this little black duck!! see you at the swim Kelly and great blog
Nick Dawkins
23/03/2014 at 4:51 pm
Nice one Konesy 🙂
Neil Richardson
23/03/2014 at 7:45 pm
When I visited I came in last most times, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is taking part safely. The B&B inspired me to swim more – I’m up to 900 km of open water (rivers, lakes and sea) since I swam with you the first time in Nov 2012. I keep a check on where that would put me in the Pacific Challenge, just for a bit of fun. I think it’s 22 or 23 at the moment, so I’m closing in on the top 20 now.! All the best from Pommie Land to you all!
Slim dusky
23/03/2014 at 8:40 pm
Great blog Kelly
Billy Derrin
23/03/2014 at 9:43 pm
Nice blog mate
slower Ian N
23/03/2014 at 9:50 pm
a wonderful blog and philosophy and excellent pictures.
Winning can be fun and so can coming last or anywhere in between. We all have varying abilities, skill, fitness and health and they change throughout our life: for many reasons they go up and down then generally fade with older age. The old saying which I used to dismissed as glib but don’t anymore: “use it or lose it” is important to remember.
Kelly, I often say and think something similar to your statement that ” I never regret doing it, but I always regret it when I don’t….”.
Often the uninviting bleak-looking mornings are the most magic ones!
Mary Barltrop
23/03/2014 at 10:20 pm
OMG!! Yes – that’s my bag!! I recognize my trusty blue fins, along with the 2 snorkels, the pink B&B cap and the bright yellow Oceanfit cap (there should also be 2-3 pairs of goggles in there, plus a mask). I thought it had been swiped from the change room where I accidentally left it a week or so ago. Thank you SOOO much for finding it!
Can I pick it up tomorrow morning (Monday)?? Now THERE’s a great incentive to haul my sorry backside out of bed at 6am!
Elaine de Jager
24/03/2014 at 7:35 am
Thanks Neil, it’s great to hear from you from Pommieland. Swimming in 9 degrees without a wetsuit too I hear. Fantastic!
Lips
24/03/2014 at 8:09 am
What do you mean you ‘remember’???
Lips
24/03/2014 at 8:10 am
Did you eat coral again Sarah?? I told you not to.
Hope you’re better soon. See you Tuesday!
Lips
24/03/2014 at 8:17 am
Great blog Jones!! Love your angle.
BTW, having the last word on the blog comments.. Priceless!!
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:27 am
Thank you Elaine !! … I couldn’t get away with writing a blog and not having Rusty in it somewhere could I !?? 😉
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:27 am
Thanks Lesley ! and thank you for your late edit 🙂
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:28 am
Thanks Nawks 🙂
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:29 am
I’m glad a I didn’t disappoint you Lips ! 🙂
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:31 am
So true Ian … when my alarm goes off I have a message that say “get up whilst you still can” … 🙂
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:32 am
Thanks Billy … and not even a glimpse of you on it ! … yet ! 😉
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:32 am
Thank you 🙂
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:33 am
Hi Mary, if you haven’t got it back already I’ll let Ian know 🙂
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:34 am
Thanks for the message Neil ! … hopefully we’ll see you back here again soon 🙂
Jones
24/03/2014 at 9:34 am
Cheers Simon 🙂
Bertster
24/03/2014 at 11:40 am
Hey Kell, great message in your blog. I always like to set the bar low then fail to achieve the hurdle. Some people are just too competitive. I am the least competitive of all. Yes I am! I am less competitive than you…I am…..no I am……no you’re more competitive than me….I’m less….
Billy Derrin
24/03/2014 at 3:05 pm
Thanks for that i really don’t want to be on the blog