Monday 3 October 2016. Labour Day – Work/Schmerk

I do not have to go to work today because it is a public holiday. This day notes the making of an 8 hour work day some time ago. What a lasting achievement – in many an office in Sydney, everyone is reluctant to leave after just 8 hours so as not to appear slack! Lucky today could be started with a swim and no shenanigans about early meetings etc having to be moved. What a treat (even though I have not yet adjusted to daylight savings – which gives me a feeling of jet lag without getting to go anywhere).

And what a day to swim. The temp was ok at 18.8

250 swimmers

6 newbies

 

Lots of people getting to the swim. Some having waited for winter to end (but it is the BEST time of year to swim, I think). Some for to work toward goals. Whatever the reason, it is a great thing to do and a great place to swim.

Kevin Gavin kindly posed in front of the clock on the club – it is REALLY 545am

 

Don McLean in a rare photo opp out of Shelly Beach, contemplating the waves

 

 

 

What an excellent sportsperson: Sterling was swimming today even though the Triple Crown is already decided! Murray the Kid already won by taking out Saturday and Sunday. But like the state of origin which still has a game even when Qld has already won it, there will still be A team swimmers spending a good few minutes zipping off to Shelly and back. Well done Murray. Enjoy the victory

 

 

These are nice shoes

 

Nathan was keen to get going

 

Today we were all lucky to be joined by these triathletes who usually train at Seven Hills. Maddie, Ethan, Abbey and Georgia. I think they hopped on their bikes and rode quickly in for an ocean swim before no doubt running home. What fabulous young people! I saw them flitting about in the ocean quickly getting to Shelly. It was a bit of work today for me but they managed it all with a smile. Including one of them diving to the bottom at the point!

 

This group from Baulkham Hills were considering how many laps today

 

 

Daniel may have been experimenting with the idea of swimming in shoes and socks to save time getting ready at the other end

 

John Bryan and Sam

 

 

 

Kevin is now ready for the swim

 

Annie having her first swim since winter

Murray the victor. Kindly posing for my “Encounters with early swimmers”chapter

 

Dave

 

 

Early swimmers report jimble sightings. Waves and jimbles

 

 

In the reports about Shark fans preparing for the grand final yesterday, there was an ocean swimming connection. There is a swim group – who were looking forward to a rugby game – but doing it with an ocean swim. Their group is called the Harold Holt swim club. Nice.

 

Here is the Baulkham Hills group on their first landfall at Shelly. How happy do they look (range of happiness shown)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great smile and a Vlad swim cap in the background.

 

Cole Classic caps – the 5km swim which was a great event this year except the timing chips did not work. The Cole Classic was in 2007 my introduction to actual ocean swimming so it is very dear to me.

 

This ocean swimmer has no immediate plans to leave the water but will keep swimming. Good role model

 

 

 

Here is a family of swimmers. I was pleased that both grand finals on the weekends were won by the underdogs. One sports writer commented that the fan base for the Western Dogs and the Cronulla Sharks displayed intergenerational connectivity (his word) by following a team which had not won for a very long while – or in the case of the Sharks, ever before. I must say I very much enjoyed the headlines prompted by the match between the Sharks and the Storm – how many references to Sharknado are enough?

 

Everyone has set off for the waves at the beach but I managed to capture the bold and beautiful swimmers here

 

Enda and Sean decided to start training for the Cole Classic 5km today but did not join the BB and made it to Shelly just minutes after the pack set off – a bit more excitement than they were expecting. At least the badge swims are not as turbulent as that

 

I am doing a bit extra these days because I am preparing for the badge swims in summer. It was quite hard to get in so I went back to half way to exit and although I stubbed my toe, I am so glad that happened: I got to see some whales just off the Bower – see spout

 

Peter and Ines were watching along with loads of others. Very pleasing that the whales are out there

 

Captured another spout. Please note these are my best photos and many others ended up deleted because they showed less.

I am adding this photo because I am hoping the sun light is deterring (or, truthfully, incinerating) the jimbles. So many stings today. So many.

 

Have a very excellent day.

Elizabeth Stewart

 

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.

http://www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/safety-in-the-surf

B & B October Monthly Dinner

The next B&B monthly dinner will be on Tuesday 11th October at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. The guest speaker for the night will be Di Westaway, one of our swimmers and head of Wild Women on Top (WWOT). Her talk is titled “NATURAL EXHILARATION design a life you love”. Di believes that Adventure is Fun. It motivates you to get off the couch and into action. Di will explain how natural exhilaration can transform your life. Doctors call it Lifestyle Medicine. WWOT call it natural adventure. But it’s not for everybody. It’s only for people who really want to get their sparkle back and flourish in a busy buzzy world.

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.