I was surprised by how dark it was this morning and realised that it was not the cloud cover but that the days are getting shorter already. That did not stop 120 early swimmers for a total of 320 swimmers today!!! and 12 newbies joined up.
The water was lovely and there were only a few small reports of stingers but the wind picked up at the end of my swim and who knows what that wind will bring in.
Here are some swim friends near the club
A different ato Z: Amy and Zoe. This time without goggles
Ainslie
Martin and Angela and then with Henrietta
A lucky friend brought by Chris to join BB who now loves it
Adam is training for an Ironman event in PE South Africa and Dave happened by. He is FROM PE in South Africa!!
also at the point – someone’s goggles but still not my camera….
Adam
Badge frenzy. the days are getting darker but there is a chance of one more badge – the 10km:
Encounters with early swimmers
Sean and JP
At the point
Two BB swimmers in disguise
At Shelly
John Foster
Elaine with her friend who came fromGermany to swim
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATRICK.
TANTI AUGURI A TE (Italian – to give the international flavour)
Patrick’s Let’s Go
a fish
More of Patrick. So many friends wanted to wish Happy Birthday – they were clamouring
father and son
Some POMS who found the water tropical compared to the North Sea where they are used to swimming. 
This swimmer was using a swim watch I had not heard of before – not Garmin but an iWatch but some company called Apple. Pretty good he said
Back to South Steyne
What I have been reading:
Helen Garner’s book of short pieces Everywhere I Look covering her family, people she has met, impressions of things she has read. I LOVE it. i also loved her book A house of Grief and Joe Cinque’s Consolation
The first B&B monthly dinner for 2017 will be on Tuesday 14th February at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest speaker on the night will be Nigel Marsh, who is best known for his creative pursuits. As well as the author of three books – Fat, Forty and Fired, Overworked and Underlaid and Fit, Fifty and Fired-Up – he is also the co-founder of Earth Hour and the founder of the Sydney Skinny. Nigel will talk to us about the Sydney Skinny swim. So bring your special friend and celebrate Valentine’s Day with your B&B friends.
The cost of the dinner is only $25 a head and includes shared entrees, a selection of mains to choose (incl a vegetarian option), corkage (for byo wine only) and a little thank you for the staff. Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential: To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please BOOK HERE NOW.
Special dates and Notes from Upper Upper Management
- February 5th– Cole Classic Day will be very busy but we expect to start from Manly but will need to avoid doubles into Shelly.
- Manly LSC have asked for volunteers from B&B to assist on the Cole Classic swim. They are looking for help from individuals or groups who can assist with things like the BBQ, merchandising, booking people in, helping with storage of clothing etc. If you would like to help with or without friends please send an email to volunteer@manlylsc.com or talk to management and we can point you in the right direction. Please help if you can as they appreciated the assistance given last year and we would like to support the club.
Being a volunteer is bound to make you happy. DO IT!
LAST 10KM swim of the season – Saturday 11th February 2017.
Pacific Jules Swim coach
Join Pacific Jules coach Sarah Anne for an hour in the ocean and learn to swim with less fight and more speed! This series of workshops will teach you key essential skills ensuring your stroke is efficient, powerful, fluid, and fast!
- Propulsion and Power – Saturday 11 March 9-10am
There are some key areas for power in your stroke, but they may not be where you think! Many swimmers use their arms and legs incorrectly when swimming, chewing up energy and causing unnecessary splash and resistance. Swimming should be a whole body experience, timing is everything, and you need to ensure you are working with the water and not against it. The H2O will always win!
- Breath Easy- Saturday 6 May 9-10am
One of the most common issues we here from swimmers is around breathing. But, there are some key elements to your body alignment, position, and breath management that need to be in place before you even think about turning your head towards the air. Join us for an hour in the water where we focus purely on the essentials skills for breathing with more ease, and flow.
- Open Water Specifics – Saturday 8 July 9-10am
This is a high energy session for the end of our series! Adapting your stroke for open water is essential if you want to swim in the ocean, or compete in swimming events. Learn some key changes that need to be in place, how to sight, how to enter and exit the water, buoy turns, and how to conserve energy in the swim by utilising those around you!
What to bring: swim suit, cap, goggles, wetsuit, water and money for a hot cuppa afterwards!
Cost = $25 per workshop
Limited to just 10 people so please book in early to avoid disappointment.
Please email Sarah Anne directly to book on info@pacificjules.com.au or call 0420 923 067 for more info.
New B&B Budgy Smugglers – HERE NOW
The new B&B Budgy Smugglers are now available on line from the Budgy Smuggler website. Remember, part of the profit from the sale of our swimwear range goes to the Royal Far West. Here’s where to go to order them:
Mens: http://budgysmuggler.
Womens Bottoms: http://budgysmuggler.
Womens Sports Tops: http://budgysmuggler.
Womens one-piece swimmers will be available in January.
Budgy Smuggler creates 100% Australian made swimwear.
Available for Men, Women and Kids – it’s the perfect stocking filler this Christmas!
Shop at: www.budgysmuggler.com.au
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. Also, if you have a bit more experience, keep an eye out for new swimmers who might need company. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.
3 comments
kierin
February 3, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Great photos (crikey, I finally made it into the blog after 163km!!!! ha ha. Also, thank you for update on Cole Classic. Looks like I better start at 6.30am to get my double in).
Edwina
February 3, 2017 at 5:45 pm
Sorry your camera never came back, lovely days swim by the looks.
Pauline(aka HRH)
February 3, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Always enjoy your blog Elizabeth. Thanks so much, loved the pics