What a miserable morning it was this morning! Funnily enough though… rain, rough surf, bluebottles and news of shark attacks still didn’t put around 50 of us off from throwing ourselves in that wild and churned-up ocean today and swimming to Shelly!
A small group of 6 turned up in the rain for Booty Camp. Even Ian who cut through the tendons in his hand and can’t swim for 3 months is still doing what he can.
A few of us wait at The Surf Club for the 7am swim thinking what the bloody hell are we doing, when this happy group of swimmers come back from halfway, Lee, Midge, Nan and Sylvia. You can see the endorphins are swirling around! They look so alive and exhilarated we know we’ve done the right thing by turning up!
Miles the channel swimmer (with ‘Halfway Pete’;-). Miles was enthralling and entertaining last night at Bluewater Cafe as he regaled us with his ‘Great Ocean Tale’. His arduous swim across the English Channel took him 15 hours 20 minutes. He really got the worst conditions with a tide that swept him back in to the path of channel ferries when he wasn’t far from shore. The strength and determination of this amazing guy to keep going is so inspiring. Miles has 3 beautiful kids including Oscar who is autistic and the most supportive wife Amy. Last night a painting was auctioned off and raised a further $800 for Miles’s chosen charity Giant Steps.
Blog tarting before the swim begins today!
Lesbutt showing the bluebottles washed up on the shore. Striking one of her more attractive poses.
Sherry on the left is just saying, ‘If you’d have told me this last time last year that I’d be swimming through Winter without a wetsuit, I would never believe you!’ It’s amazing how so many people push themselves out of their comfort zones with our group!
It was pretty scary going in from halfway today. You had to time it right between the sets but as always everyone looked after each other.
We even had a newbie today. Jane had heard about our swim and had to do it whilst she is here coaching a course on ‘How to be Successful.’
That’s our Lippy or Lips bracing himself for the waves.
As we are such a small group we manage to get a group photo at Shelly.
It was a rough and tumble kind of swim back. (Not that this pic really shows it.)
Everyone managed to get out without any injuries.
There is no stopping Chris Taylor ( Tayls). He was the last one standing last night after The Bluewater dinner and probably ended up at The Boatshed but… he was here today and came back through the surf and bluebottles! Go Tayls!
A few fun photos of B&Bers as you may never have seen them before! (From Saturday night)
You too, can make the blog your own! We’re currently looking for those who can spend ten minutes after a swim putting one of these together. Mini – blogs can be completed on your phone!
If you are interested, let Ian Forster, Lesley or Mary know, or comment below.
Winter Badge Presentation – 21 September after the swim
You’ve done the hard yards and got your Winter Badge (or even harder yards for a WWW), now come and collect your badges with all the pomp and ceremony the B&B can muster. Bring along $10 for each badge you have earned (correct money appreciated). The venue is the Royal Far West Children’s Home (opposite the beach) on Sunday 21st September, straight after the regular swim!
A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and …. RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (bacon and egg sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food. Book here for Badge Breakfast
All 2014 winter badge qualifiers will be presented with their well earned badge(s), so whether you are getting one personally or you want to enjoy the celebrations of your fellow swimmers, a great morning is guaranteed so come along, soak up the atmosphere and get inspired for your upcoming summer badge challenges…
Staying safe
The surf is picking up! 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.
The Stats
Regulars: 48
Newbies: 1 (Jane)
Temp: 17.6 degrees
Sunrise: 6.01 am
Sunset: 5.44 pm
I’m off to Bali for a week so see you next week!
Lainey Loo
14 comments
lesbubbles
10/09/2014 at 10:51 am
what’s that on Ian’s head?
Pete Anthony
10/09/2014 at 10:54 am
Great blog Lainey…enjoy Bali
Lips
10/09/2014 at 11:00 am
Disgusting.
And while we’re on the topic of filth, that’s not a washed up bluebottle you’re holding there Lesbubbles.
Great photos Lainey! Fun swim! Enjoy Bali!
lesbubbles
10/09/2014 at 11:33 am
nope it wasn’t my usual condom – defo a bluey! there were 1000’s of them!
lesbubbles
10/09/2014 at 11:34 am
That swimmer in Byron was wearing a wetsuit – just sayin’
Bootycampbuffman
10/09/2014 at 1:46 pm
A booby trap Lesbubbles !
Thanks for the mention LaineyLoo, have a great trip we’ll look after TeddyBear !
'MagicHands'
10/09/2014 at 1:50 pm
Grotty, messy blog that scrubbed up all right in the end..!
Have a safe trip Lainey.
Tayls
10/09/2014 at 2:24 pm
As usual an excellent blog young Lainey Loo. Was a messy swim but great hangover cure !
Not sure the B & B dinner was meant to last as long as it did. Maybe we should start dinner at 3pm. There’s just not enough time…. have a safe trip & enjoy the warm water. xx
Blondes have more fun
10/09/2014 at 2:34 pm
You captured the rough and tumble of half way Lainey! What a fun swim in the bay this morning.
Lainey
10/09/2014 at 2:36 pm
Love it Tayls. You are so full of life and love. There’s just not enough hours in the day for you!
Julie Andrews
10/09/2014 at 3:06 pm
Hope its not un-pc of me to say it here but a few of us are going to have a sing-a-long and a few bevvies at Havana tonight from 6.30 if you feel like coming along and belting out a few oldies but goodies – songs that is!!! All welcome
“Manly is alive, with the sound of music..”
Driftwood
10/09/2014 at 4:17 pm
If you click on last swimming pic – of Chris Taylor – you can see a crab on the sand, wearing a small pink cap …
Miles
10/09/2014 at 5:20 pm
Lovely blog Lainey and super write-up of last night’s dinner which Amy and I enjoyed so much. I feel I owe the Bolds a huge debt of gratitude for helping me with my own goals, it’s the least I can do to offer to do a guest blog soon…
lesbubbles
11/09/2014 at 11:23 am
just BEFORE that photo of Chris aka Tayls that Lainey took – we were all laughing at him as he struggled to get out of the water… losing his flipper and being tossed about by the waves – he righted himself just in time for that photo! good one Tayls 😉