As the frantic lead-up to Christmas subsides, coming to the beach can be an opportunity to relax Or look after yourself with a practice of self reflection Or try something something new like the 51 brave souls who did this swim for the first time today. Here are some of them. From the Willoughby Swim...

Water temp 20.6 degrees, 480 swimmers and 40 newbies including Clint who came with Erica. Some of the 7.02am crowd. David and Kara (who was unfortunately pushed onto the rocks by Vince in the  A-team sprint.) Lucy & Brad with his sisters La & Hayley, brother-in-law Brett & nephews Tom & Luke visiting from South...

Calm conditions and a strong southerly greeted the B&B swimmers this morning.  Fellow Sunday blogger Michael formed my welcoming committee, having been at the beach since 5am to find out key events, anniversaries etc: Jim was keen to have his photo taken next to beautiful Manly beach, so I took this shot: It’s that special...

Conditions didn’t look very nice today, quite bumpy with a wind about, and plent of people arriving to either try for a summer badge or do the regular swim. I was told the 6km would be a slower than normal one because of the work involved swimming against the wind and waves, and it looks...

The sky had its own pink cap floating above Cabbage Tree Bay this morning which prompted me to look up! As swimmers we spend a lot of our time looking down! And why wouldn’t we? We are blessed with the most amazing Bay, full of cool things to see !  But once in a while it’s...

We often forget the little fish. The gorgeous schools of Mados, Pomfred and Hulafish we swim through every day in our beautiful Marine Reserve, Cabbage Tree Bay. How lucky are we to swim in this most magical place. Sometimes I’m so keen to spot a Turtle, Grey Nurse or Giant Cuttlefish I forget to appreciate...

Mal (Dad) and Rach swam to and from Shelly today for the first time   Ever present Georgina with newbie mum and old dog Bron Blurry but happy   Lots of comments about the good water visibility today Saw this gymnast practicing at Shelly Reaching   This rays fins reminded me of the wing flex...

5:27am 2015 & 2019. I took this Shelly shot 4 yrs ago today when we had smokeless skies. I swam with these guys + Richard @5:30. Easy swim north to the Trident, tough swim south against the southerly. Roger, puppy & Capless Dave. 1620.8 degrees, 200+ swimmers. Bianca & Sam. 6:29am 6:30 express led by...

There was a lot of freestyling this morning. It is of course the style of choice for our swim across Cabbage Tree Bay, though I have seen the odd backstroker and even a butterflier or two, which I reckon is a fair achievement in the ocean. Here’s some freestyling shots – bonus points for spotting...