Friday 5 January 2018 A league of swimmers

With all the sightings of the fever of cow nosed-rays I wondered about who is the decider of collective nouns. Personally I would not have selected a ‘fever’ for rays. I think a glide of rays would be better. Their movement is so smooth and elegant. So I then wondered what is the collective noun for ocean swimmers and found that it is a raft of swimmers for short distance and a league of swimmers for long distance (who split it that way?) but I think that for BB, a unique swim squad, the collective noun should be a mosaic of swimmers because that reflects the diversity of the squad. There are fast and long distance fast and slow swimmers; ocean swimmers and triathletes as well as pool swimmers having a go; there are families swimming together for a lovely thing to do and there are fish spotters and divers. And some social swimmers. And every age, shape and lots of different backgrounds. And lots of new swimmers come along in January to try this lovely swim out and many of them get hooked and come throughout the year. Here are some part of the mosaic – new swimmers and fixtures: Chris (newbie) and Shaun (management)

The temperature is taken by John Bond each day or his deputy and recorded on the white board. At the white board is also where you can get your caps when you are a newbie. Mick and Jodi – swim again tomorrow and get a pink cap. They will suit you.

 

 

More newbies signing up

 

It is easy to do a blog for this mosaic of swimmers because everyone has lovely swimming costumes on, is attractive, above average in intelligence (they swim after all) and smiling

These ladies have just completed learn to swim classes and are now swimming with BB and are enjoying the great and calm conditions today

 

Here are Zac and Te’a who came along to swim with dad who ‘forced’ them. I was after some information about how he managed that to use it on my own children but they would not reveal what it was that had worked.

Here is a clever family swimming together. A great way to spend the morning

I wonder how the fitness trackers on the two Martin boys are going? Worn out by now, I imagine for this fit family

Here is Alan Thompson who is very experienced swimming in the surf. He kindly helps those that need it to negotiate the waves, if you ask. He has raised trathletes so watch out for Emma in a couple of years (refused to be photographed. Again)

 

I am so glad for the colourful fabric that swimsuits come in these days.

Karen adn Terry arriving

It is Michael’s birthday. Happy birthday Michael

Some early swimmers coming up the ramp as the 7 am swim begins. The report is that the swim is lovely and the water clear

One of the big benefits of summer – apart from being able to go for badges – is that there are loads of people swimming and that means that there are still people at Shelly when I get there and I can include some photos

ere are the fabulous Sam and her friend. Sam and Robin swam with me on my first 6 km. They were so patient and had to do a lot of water-treading along the way but they did wait.

Anyone for a slow 6km on this Saturday – conditions permitting – meet at 630am.

Javier showing the swimmers here how to pose for the blog

 

Charl in front doing the same modelling for this group

The clever swimming family now in the water

Here is Tasman – youngest member of the A team. They swim so fast because they start young

Here is 8 year old Tom from Freshwater – I did not clarify if he swam to the start of the swim or got here some other way. Fabulous swimmer

 

Here is our Allan with newbies Jodi and Mick who will get caps tomorrow now that they have the necessary information. Go to the tree, newbies.

 

Some swimmers looking for fish were lucky that Cheryl White was nearby. SHe was able to give them some good tips. If they had been interested in how to become the swimmer moving the greatest distance, she could have helped with tips on that too. (I can reveal it involves doing 6 km swims plus daily)

 

 

Then on the way back, I encountered Janet (always doing laps so no surprise there) with Natalia from Argentina who swam when pregnant in 2016 and has come back for more. Swimmers come from all over

 

I also saw these doublers with 3 paddlers on the horizon

 

Anne Henshaw – wait for her blog to see some fish photos

 

Always looking at elbows

Don could not resist a second lap today. Smart man

 

Management information

Swimmers: 510

Newbies: tba

 

 

ALL NEWBIES: handwrite your email address neatly and you will be rewarded with an email from Pacific Jules!!

As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, management thought that it would be a good time to clarify what it takes to earn a badge. Three long distance swims are on offer:

· The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning generally starting with the 7 am swim. The first 6 km swim will be on Saturday 2nd December.

· There is a 10 km swim once a month over summer also generally starting with the 7 am swim. Dates for these will be announced in the blog. The first will be on December 16th.

· If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30 or 7 am.

You will earn a badge if you complete these swims and log them in iLog. The system will only record authorised 6K or 10K swims that are logged on the appropriate days. Badges will be presented at the Summer Badge Ceremony in March. If you are unsure of the routes and protocols for these swims, please ask at the desk before you swim. When swimming these longer distances, we request that, for safety reasons, you stay with the group. We also request that you do not swim in dangerous conditions. The quest for a little cloth badge is not worth putting your life at risk.

Enjoy your swimming.

Sample badge from before:

EXCLUSIVE TO B&B – Introducing the INAMO PINK CURL – waterproof contactless payment tag!  It’s amazing!

ENTER “B&B” IN ‘COUPON CODE’ (& click apply) AT CHECKOUT TO GET YOUR EXCLUSIVE 10% DISCOUNT

Slip your CURL onto your existing watch or fitness band to make tap and-go payments. You never need to carry cash when going swimming again.

Enter “B&B” in the Coupon Code of the Shopping Bag to get your exclusive discount on your PINK INAMO CURL, or any other item on the INAMO website.

If you purchase the PINK INAMO CURL it’s exclusive to B&B, so… if you see someone else donning one, anywhere in the world, you know they are a fellow B&B Swimmer – pretty cool hey !!!

Special offer ON NOW for B&B swimmers. Get Yours today!

Enter ‘B&B’ in the Coupon Code to secure your discount and the benefit of never having to carry your wallet down to the beach when you go swimming again.

* There are NO monthly account keeping fees, transaction or load fees

What I have been reading

Deadly Kerfuffle by comedian Tony Martin which is neatly put together about a struggle street, misinformation about terrorists, prejudice and a Alan Jones style radio announcer but a bit to two dimensional to be actually funny. I should read better quality books. Maybe after the holidays.