Manly Open Carnival – 23/01/16 – Thalassophiles

Manly is where it’s at today, with the Manly Open Carnival on from 8am-5pm. Get on down here and watch these amazing people in action.  Due to the Carnival, the Bold and Beautiful started at Shelly Beach and swam to the point and back.  (we like to mix it up)

Here is a pic of Pauline with her family who are here from Melbourne to compete in the Open Carnival.

My name is Nat.  My loves, not in any particular order are: talking, smiling, eating really yummy food, my husband and 5 boys,  my extended family, my friends, CrossFit, Church and studying to be a primary teacher.

I began swimming about a year ago when my Chiropractor thought it would benefit my body.   So as a good patient I started at the local pool.   Over the years I have seen these crazy people with fluro pink caps swim from Manly to Shelly whilst doing my morning walk.   Last year I made the goal to get involved with these crazy people with fluro caps and break all stereotypes.  (being Asian, swimming in the sea)  I found out they had a name: “Bold and Beautiful” and in September 2015 I achieved my goal.   It is seriously the best thing I have done for myself.   This is where I met Zoe and our journey/friendship began.

Hi, my name is Zoe.   My loves, not in any particular order are: Jimmy my fiancé, chocolate, Nat, dancing, photography, the ocean, travelling, giggling, meeting new people, being creative with a cordless saw, friends and family, diving and learning to surf.  I am a Dive Master and have been around the ocean for over 10 years being in the yachting industry.  I have been coming back to Australia on and off for 7.   Each time I returned, I was envious of these crazy, pink cap wearing people and thought to myself “I want to be one of them”.  So in September last year, I joined the squad.

We met on my first swim and on Nat’s 4th.  It wasn’t love at first sight as I was too preoccupied having forgotten my goggles, but the second time we met, we realised we were separated at birth!

Today we asked our subjects the following: “Why did you start swimming with the Bold & Beautiful, and what does the squad mean to you”.

The Bold and Beautiful is a wonderful way in which to meet fellow THALASSOPHILE’S.

We feel the ocean swim makes us feel rejuvenated, relaxed, free, joyous and ALIVE.  BnB is like an episode of ”Cheers” where everybody knows your name.  It brings people together, keeps us active and gives us a little something to look forward to every day.  It’s definitely the best way to start your day!

We both fell in love with Ian and John, (see pic below) who are the best swimming organisers/guardians we have ever met. (mind you, they’re only ones we have ever met) (& I use the word “guardians” because they keep us all safe)

John Kelly: “I started swimming here with Ian about 4 years ago and one day Ian didn’t show, so I decided to swim with the Bold and Beautiful and the rest is history.”

Ian said: “Pauline started swimming because she couldn’t let me have all this fun without her, hahaha”.  When we asked him what the BnB means to him, he answered, “lifestyle and camaraderie”.  (not the Bold and Beautiful MAFIA as their children have often said)

Andrew who leads the 6:30 crew “The Drinkies”, said: “I started swimming because this is a beautiful part of the world.”

James Bond: “I was looking for an ocean swimming club and I found it a year after Bold and Beautiful started.  I used to do the ocean swims, run by surf clubs and train in the pools.  I love the social aspect of the Bold and Beautiful”. (John Bond is the official BnB water temperature tester – here you can see him in action!)

Shaun: “I saw these people swimming when I walked.  Then one day I decided to swim but I collided with them all coming the other direction – I decided I might as well join them.  The collision was in November 2011 and I joined the squad that Christmas.”
What does it mean to you?
“Everything in life, plus giving Rainer some stick.”

(Pic of Shaun and his better half Vina…..they are todays “IT” couple whom we have named “Shvina”)

Pip is due with her first baby in July and is super, duper fit and loving the Bold and Beautiful swim which she started last year.  “I wanted to do ocean swimming regularly with people and I found the Bold and Beautiful.   I think it’s a perfect way to start the day.  Everyone down here have smiling faces.  It’s awesome.”

 

Here is Zoe with Danny: (man of many words)  He started swimming because of “friends”and he thinks it’s “fun”.

 Nat in action:

At the point:

Our marker man at the point:

 Nat in action:

7am today at Shelly:

Early birdies at Shelly:

Nat posting on facebook:

Nat, Zoe and Laney:

Swimmers – lots.

Temp – 23.5

Newbies – I have no idea, but we did meet Glen.

The next 10km swim is on the 13th of Feb.

Yesterday in Manly before 6am:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swimmers in action: