One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.
Simone De Beauvoir
You only have to Google the words “Group Dynamics” to arm yourself with the many theories and the elements required to make them a success.
Here’s Rusty, with his arm … in a group … looking successful.
Theories are great tools, but their scientific constraints don’t always capture the humaneness of a person and the individuality we all bring to our pink ritual … and here’s me with two or our more “special” members 😉
We all have a personal and experience of the group. Some peoples stories I know, others I don’t and can only speculate on. In some people I see signs of sadness for a life that went before and is no longer, and in others the joys of new beginnings.
Some can’t let go of the past, and resort to drugging and bribery …
For a very small minority, its all about expressing their slightly erotic sadomasochistic tendancies.
On more than one occasion I’ve come down for the swim with a lump in my throat and a weight on my shoulders, and have always found solace amongst the grey hooded people.
The beautiful Sophie Coombes and I “had a moment” over a song the other weekend, the lyrics of which resonated with us both. In particular, making me think of the times I have struggled with the day and stood on the shore debating whether to actually get into the water….
For anyone feeling a little left of centre, anyone trying to put the puzzle together, trying to make difficult or painful decisions, to take stock and move on, to answers questions that are seemingly impossible to answer, there are many amongst us that can attest to the fact that there’s “Gold in them waves” ! …
And a glacier apparently ! Johnny Bond did not need his thermometer …
And just in case you didn’t see it, there is also a 12 foot monster hanging around !
Today I dedicate my blog to all of who you who pleased to see me of a morning, and never hesitate in putting your arm around me; to anyone that has stopped me on my commute for chat and a kiss on the cheek, or to pay me a compliment; to Storchy for the relentless calls, texts and voicemails, and to Dreamboat – who is not a dream, and doesn’t actually own a boat – but is a bloody good bloke. Thank you 🙂
Here you all are and you’re all bloody brilliant ! 🙂
Cameron is a little bit more brilliant today though. Congrats on your 20th swim young man ! 🙂
But the most brilliant title goes to Birthday Girl Lesbubbles ! Happy Birthday lovely Lady xx 
I’ll leave you with an article on the Mammalian Dive Reflex.
Nothing to do with how boobs help you float (Drinks & Storchy!!) but based on the work of a Swedish researcher by the name of Per Scholander. Scholander documented one of the most extreme transformations ever discovered in the human body, and called it the “Master Switch of Life” explaining a humans capacity for amphibious reflexes.
http://ideas.ted.com/tag/mammalian-dive-reflex/
These particular reflexes can also be witnessed on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning @ Storchy’s boot camp. If you ever see him move across the sand in a squat position, you would swear to you, the guy has “toad” in him !
Jones xx
http://www.kellyjonespersonaltrainer.com.au/about-me/
Special Event – Guest Speaker!
The next B&B monthly dinner is on Tuesday 12th August at 6.30pm at Bluewater Restaurant. This month’s special presenter is Ruth Hollows, the youngest daughter of Fred Hollows. Her presentation is on how she is helping fulfil her father’s legacy through her role as Ambassador for Wild Women On Top Sydney Coastrek.
The cost of the dinner is only $20 a head which 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,
Fred Hollows is a modern legend, and was many things to many people – a husband, a father, a friend, a skilled ophthalmologist and for a few politicians and bureaucrats, an irritating thorn in their side. Above all else he was a humanitarian. This explains why he was so passionate about improving the health of indigenous Australians. In 80% of cases blindness is unnecessary, it can either be avoided or it can be overcome through a simple operation. Since Fred died The Fred Hollows Foundation has restored sight to well over one million people in the developing world.
Winter Badge season – only 28 days to go.
There are 14 weeks in the winter season. To qualify for the prized Cold & Bold Badge you simply need to swim 20 times within the season ensuring you have swum in a minimum of 7 different weeks. So, attempting to do it all in the first few weeks does not count!! Make sure you use the i-Log to register your without wetsuit for the WWW badge. The badge ceremony is being held straight after the swim on 21 September at the Royal Far West.
B&B i-Log
Log your swim ANYTIME of day using the B&B i-Log. This is the best and easiest way to ensure your swims are recorded in the daily attendance and on the Pacific Challenge. To get started, send an email to Ian Forster ugoboyo@gmail.com (This is not a link so please copy and paste into your email). He will check that your email address is activated on the attendance register then send you info on how to use the .
Staying safe
Are you prepared for the return of the surf? 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.
STATS
130 swimmers
2 newbies
Water temp 16 degrees
26 comments
Mary
03/08/2014 at 11:36 am
What beautiful sentiments Kelly. Thank you. This crazy bunch of water babies is so addictive ’cause you always feel renewed after the morning swim.
Also thankful that it wasn’t so artic in the water!!
Tayls
03/08/2014 at 12:21 pm
Jonesy you should write a book….beautiful words from a beautiful girl.
Yes…agree DD & TDeJ definitely ” special ” ….
Margot
03/08/2014 at 12:33 pm
Nice words indeed. It was my birthday last week, and if one buys a wetsuit with the money one gets for one’s birthday, does that mean we’re swimming in our birthday suits? Maybe there’s a badge for that. I hope all you B & Bs are well. You all look fabulous as I gaze on you from a distance…… I miss!
Slow Ian
03/08/2014 at 1:30 pm
Happy birthday Margot. You’re welcome to come along and swim in your birthday suit anytime.
Slow Ian
03/08/2014 at 1:30 pm
… and if there is a badge I will pin it on myself.
ros
03/08/2014 at 1:31 pm
Well now, that brought a little tear to my eye, Jonesy! Gold!
Margot
03/08/2014 at 1:47 pm
Thanks for your selfless offer Slow Ian.
Lips
03/08/2014 at 1:49 pm
Beautiful words Jones!
The swim just doesnt feel the same without you. No matter what time of year, it always feels a couple of degrees warmer with you in the water.
Happy Birthday Margot!
Elaine de Jager
03/08/2014 at 1:55 pm
Love the title and the blog Jonesy. Great to see Talys back too. Fifi is all excited about her encounter with a 12 foot shark on the early swim. (Not 12 metre I got a bit mixed up!) How exciting. They are harmless and rare btw.
LSA aka HKTQ
03/08/2014 at 2:45 pm
Great to read a super Jones blog again….
Glad to see you celebrating in style, Lesbubbles. Margot – hope you manage to celebrate in your birthday suit very soon:)
Skinny Pete
03/08/2014 at 2:47 pm
wow this certainly is awesome news! Grey nurse I guess?
Elizabeth X
03/08/2014 at 4:32 pm
I made the mistake of coming down late this morning – I have learnt my lesson!
Rather than head out while others were coming in and potentially cause head collisions I decided to wait. Storchy & Drinkie were talking about what Fifi saw and I asked them what Fifi saw and they said “a whale”
So I happily entered the water and as it was so calm and I wasn’t holding anyone up I did my first ever double. Snails pace but still, I was pretty chuffed. When I got back I shared my excitement and pride at my personal milestone with the aforementioned chaps. I then wandered across the road to Manly Wine where I learned that in fact Fifi had reported seeing a large shark !!!!! and I had just been thrashing around on my own out there for ~an hour !!!!!I went back to remonstrate with D&S and they fairly said that I hadn’t been hurt so should focus on how good I had felt 5 minutes earlier at my achievement. Then I was back to MW and learned it was a 12 foot Grey Nurse. I was by then having serious thoughts of making D & S grey and in need of a nurse!!! but fortunately Chris came along and said that Grey Nurses are harmless so I would have been safe. A reprieve from serious/mortal injury for D&S!! I have decided to forgive them on account of all the times they have zipped me up and pepped me up. But don’t expect me to trust them next time !!!
PS:I agree gorgeous blog Jonesy
PPS: LSA I am in love with my LSA-inspired hood it has made a world of difference and I don’t care if people call me The Phantom etc !
Fifi
03/08/2014 at 5:58 pm
Its twelve hours since my encounter and I am STILL excited!!
I did some research and as far as I can see it was a grey nurse. I seriously could not believe my eyes when I saw it: such a spectacle!
John.St xx
03/08/2014 at 7:08 pm
Girl, a really lovely blog. Best of the year.
Generous sentiments and thoughts.
You’re a lady that is both beautiful on the outside and inside.
Xxx
hingle@optusnet.com.au
03/08/2014 at 7:42 pm
Great blog! With all the sadness in the news I find B&B comforting.
It’s so much more than the swims.
Thanks for sharing your insights and positivity x
Simon
03/08/2014 at 7:51 pm
Thanks Jones
I Love your blog.
LSA aka HKTQ
03/08/2014 at 7:59 pm
Well done with your lone double, Elizabeth and love your account! Yeh, Storchy & Drinks will tell you whatever they think you want to hear:-))
So glad you’ve joined the Hoody Triad Brigade…. Tim’s a convert too….no more ear plugs or ear-ache….
HOT and very sunny in Hong Kong….
Lesbububblbutts
03/08/2014 at 8:12 pm
I look like a shot putter in that last photo! Which is waaay better that bag lady! Thanks Jelly xx
Leigh
03/08/2014 at 9:45 pm
Congratulations Cameron! Your first of no doubt many badges!
Are you keen to join Luca in the summer badge?!
Jones
04/08/2014 at 10:04 am
Ah Thanks Ros … hopefully was just the one tear !?! 🙂 x
Jones
04/08/2014 at 10:04 am
Right back atchya Lips ! Thank you x
Jones
04/08/2014 at 10:04 am
xxx
Jones
04/08/2014 at 10:05 am
Thanks Simon 🙂
Jones
04/08/2014 at 10:05 am
You’re just all so inspiring Tayls ! thank you 🙂 x
Jones
04/08/2014 at 10:06 am
Thanks Mary 🙂 x
Lainey
05/08/2014 at 6:39 am
Love your account Elizabeth. It still makes me giggle. There’s a photo of the shark now which Gaetan took 😊