All those winds overnight made me wonder how the morning would pan out down at Manly this morning, and it certainly flipped around from grey to sunny, windy to calm, it was all there today. My initial view on arrival.   A small crowd initially which then swelled to a total of 320!   Jacob...

As Christmas approaches, we all have our rituals and traditions, visiting family and friends near or far, via main roads and airports, going to an annual location for a holiday, having an end of year concert, shopping or preparing to work. Some of us have a favourite Christmas movie and a quick survey reveals that...

The Northern Beaches is definitely winding down to Xmas and there’s plenty of Christmas cheer around the beach in the mornings.  This morning these guys were being put through their Xmas paces on Manly Beach.   While with Bold and Beautiful it’s the battle of the best Christmas Rashie.  This Santa Rashie is produced by...

    The sun may have been having a little sleep in on this slightly dull morning but that didn’t stop the shine emanating from the faces of this lot! Not quite sure why they were pointing but maybe they were having a bet about who would get to Shelly first!   These guys were...

A high tide and gentle N/E swell and no wind to speak of but some really chilly spots along the trail. The relentless Noreaster has dragged in some cold current though still patchy, it will likely get colder before it fades. Bring back the sou easters and warm water.   The corner provided some great...

It’s almost the end of December. That time we make resolutions for the new year… Did you know the ancient Babylonians were celebrating New year’s and making resolutions 4000 years ago… Yep, 4000 years ago people were promising that this year they’d finally fit into their skinny jeans. Statistics on successful New Year’s Resolutions aren’t...

It was a bit bumpy today. Stats: Swimmers 258 Newbies: Quite a few including Charlie and Michael Temp: 19.7   Summer Swim Badges As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, it seems appropriate to explain what it takes to earn a Summer badge. Three long distance swims are on offer: The 6 km swims...

Apologies for the lateness of this blog – I’ve just come back from doing my annual Bronze wet proficiency (with a side trip to the supermarket on the way home). You can now rest assured that Dee Why is protected for another year, under the benevolent gaze of yours truly and Ian “still a nipper”...

Well swimmer of the day has to go to this 8 year old girl who swam all the way to Shelley today. As we waited for the last swimmers to come in, some little arms were spinning around towards us. Congratulations on a great effort!   Bit of swell still around, 20 degrees, but in...

Grey and bumpy swim this morning, low tide and low vis but still beautiful in its own way as it always is. And it got me thinking about happiness.  You know here’s a lot of talk about happiness and its causes. Let’s have a look at that and stay  tuned until the end to see...