Sunday 25 August: Last Sunday of Winter!

Gorgeous sunrise this morning!  And I was thankful to see a flat ocean, after a couple of challenging days last week that diverted me to a halfway exit.

 

Lesbubs and JK pointed towards whales (I couldn’t see them), then two drones.  Found one of the drones – it’s somewhere in this shot:

 

 

Sherry-Ann turned up to get another swim in before the winter badge cut-off.  Yes, this is the last Sunday of winter!!!  Woo hoo!!  Can’t wait for the arrival of warmer waters, warmer air temps, lighter mornings, challenging swell, bluebottles … er, maybe winter isn’t so bad after all!

 

Kerry, Val and Annie taking in the morning.

 

Dorset showed me a fantastic innovation – zippered wetsuit pants.  He bought the wetsuit and found someone to sew the zippers in, and he highly recommends it!

 

 

 

 

Janet was super happy with the Man U-Crystal Palace score overnight (sorry, Mike!).

Peter was simply happy.

 

Dave sporting a great new haircut.  Nice one, Dave!

And it’s Dea’s birthday!  Happy Birthday, Dea!!

 

By the Tree of Management I found some large uggs.

 

Then I found some large feet.

 

Then I found Rog.  I’m not saying any of these facts are connected.

 

Danny gave Richard swimming tips, while Richard tried to stay awake.

 

Edwina sent me this photo of three swimmers keen to get themselves on the blog.  Welcome to the blog, guys!  (If you want any tips on how to become a regular blog tart, just look out for a tall guy who answers to the name Rainer.)

 

That feeling as you hit the 16.7 degree water.

 

Janet had come prepared.

 

On my way to Shelly I spotted Jo in action.  I didn’t need the help of a drone – I’d know that stripey swimsuit anywhere:

 

Nice glide, Jo 🙂

 

The sunlight has returned in the corner.

 

Jo and Rainer basking in the sun’s rays.

 

Dea got plenty of splashes to kick off her birthday in style!

 

Dea and Jenny.

 

Don’t you love that special bond between swimmers?

 

On the Back-To-Manly Meander I spotted Nick, who’d spotted a wobbegong.  And here it is:

 

Nope, I wasn’t convinced either, so Nick dived down to point it out:

 

 

 

Nope, still couldn’t see it.  Edwina’s shot turned out just a little bit better than mine:

 

Nice one, Ed!  Then I found a Port Jackson:

 

It doesn’t get any easier, does it? The yellowtail are always easy to spot though:

 

And then it was time to head for home in Rainer’s bubble stream:

 

 

As we walked out of the water, JK and I decided that 16.7 degrees was “really not that cold”.  It’s amazing what you can get used to!

Have a fantastic Sunday, everyone, and remember: even if it goes pear-shaped, if you swam this morning then it started great!

Stats

Water temp: 16.7 (see above – positively balmy)

Swimmers: Lots (Shelly was packed)

Newbies – didn’t see too many queuing up

Management notices

The Next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 10th September at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. Our guest on the night will be Emily Kempson, who is Australia’s 2019 Ultraman Female Champion. After suffering a fractured sacrum in the lead up to the 2018 event, Emily managed to overcome her injury and win the 2019 Female Ultraman title. This was no mean feat, as the event is conducted over 3 days and includes a 10 km swim, 421 km bike ride and a double marathon (84.3 km). Emily will talk about why she was attracted to the event, what her lead up training was like, the number of people who helped her in the race and their roles (it takes a village), her nutrition during the event and recovery each day, how she kept focus, dealing with injury and disappointment to come back stronger and what’s next.

Please book early for this event as it is sure to be popular. The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 a head, which includes shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). 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 at www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html

2019 Winter Badge Ceremony – Sunday 22^nd September

You’ve done the hard yards and earned your Winter Badge(s), 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 Centre (Wentworth Avenue, Manly) on Sunday 22^nd September, straight after the regular swim! Everyone is welcome, family, friends and swimmers alike.

A $5 donation will be payable to the RFW at the gate for hosting this event, and …. RFW will provide a FREE breakfast (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Ceremony.

All 2019 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 the upcoming summer badges.

In conjunction with the badge ceremony, Royal Far West will be holding a raffle with great prizes, so don’t forget to bring along extra money for the raffle (credit card payment facilities will be available for the raffle).