Saturday 3 September- THANK YOU

Sunrise 6:40am 

On the days I blog I like to head down to Manly to capture the beautiful patterns of the sky and the gorgeous sunrise. Although the water was a little choppy and messy it didn’t deter our wonderful energetic squad from getting up and getting down to our little corner of the globe, which is our happy place. What an incredible sunrise! 

Thank you all!

It was my one year anniversary yesterday since I became a part of this brilliant Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad. That day changed my life. I would not have foreseen this time last year that I would be addicted to swimming in the ocean let alone blogging for the Bold and Beautiful. I would love to thank you all, for being such a positive, energetic and welcoming squad. You have truly changed my life. Coming down today, chatting and enjoying your company was a fantastic start to my weekend.  

[Here is a pic of me and Ravi taken before my first swim last year. My buddy Ravi did the swim with me to make sure I didn’t drown, the water was nothing like today’s, it was smooth and calm and peaceful. Don’t let my smile deceive you, I was beside myself with anxiety and nervousness, laughing smiling is how I express myself, I know I am weird]

 

Love bumping into friends down at Manly

Manly is such a hub of activity at anytime of day and now that Spring is here it is getting lighter and busier. I love it. This morning I bumped into Ravi (the guy I did my first swim with) and Sam. Most of you who come down to Manly often have probably seen Sam displaying some awesome handstand tricks. What a talented bloke. 

I also bumped into my beautiful, bubbly and THE MOST cheerful person I think I will ever meet in this life time, Ruth. She runs like she is a gazelle not to mention her tights are always AH-mazing!

The Bold and Beautiful Squad going in the water at 7am

JK gave everyone the run down this morning, warning us that it is a little rough and choppy. Lots of the B & B squad decided to brave the entrance at Manly. Not me I decided to walk to the Bower. Taking snap shots along the way

 

Going in at halfway

Here is Greg going in at half way. Still a little to rough for me. A few of us took one look and decided to take a stroll to Shelly. 

 

 

Walking to Shelly with these lovely ladies, Gemma and Fiona

Here is the rest of the crew who decided to take a stroll to Shelly Beach.

Gemma, Fiona, Lainey and Sue

Another pic of the girls but this time with me (Lainey insisted I be in the pic)

 

The Squad, all smiles at Shelly Beach!

The ever so lovely Dorset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I met Danny on my first swim last year. I love that we are twinning with our wetsuits. Great choice Danny!

 

The Bold and Beautiful Interviews

I love getting to know the people who are a part of the Bold and Beautiful Squad. Each time I blog I ask a few of our Squad members the following questions.

1) Why did you start swimming with the Bold and Beautiful Squad?

2) How does it make you feel?

Emma “It always makes me feel fantastic. I started because I put it off for far too long. My lovely friend Paige invited me down and said that the Bold and Beautiful are not competitive or aggressive. She was right, I could not have met a lovelier bunch of people.” 

 

 Fiona “I have always loved swimming. When I moved to Australia it seemed like the natural thing to do. It only took me 14 years to do it. It makes me feel invigorated and alive, best start to my day everyday and I love it.” 

 

 Marco “I started swimming with the Bold and Beautiful because my neighbour told me I should. I feel fantastic, every morning I meet up with all the people and have a swim and I feel like a part of Manly.” 

 

Jillian and Jonathan (mother and son)

Jillian “I started for triathlon practice, but I kept going because it is the most positive group of people an d it is non competitive.” 

Jonathan ” I came here because mum brought me. Apart from that, pretty much what mum said.” 

 

 Sue “I started swimming with the Bold and Beautiful because I was swimming in an ocean pool and I was getting a bit bored. I had heard about the group, but I thought they only were swimming once a week. But when I came down I discovered this amazing bunch of people who swim everyday of the year. It got me through a rough patch in my life. Everyone here has a similar mindset on life and it is amazing. I feel so much better when I do it, even through winter. It makes me feel exhilarated and happy.” 

 

Ash (NEWBIE) “I wanted to swim because I like the colour of the Bold and Beautiful. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I have a friend who is very much into swimming. He mentioned the Bold and Beautiful swimmers. I only know the television drama. So I  Googled it. So here I am. I have discovered I am incapable of swimming in a straight line. I have always thought I was a straight up person, but apparently not when it comes to swimming. I am quite dark and twisty when it comes to swimming. I got back eventually.”

 

 Ian said to me I should interview the “newbie” as soon as I saw Ash I thought, firstly, her swimmers are LEGIT , I need them. Secondly, she has got to be the hottest swimmer I have seen doing the Bold and Beautiful. So I needed a pic with her. Both in our fluoro swimwear. 

 

Stats

Swimmers 180

Newbie 1

Temp 17.9 degrees

Have a fantastic weekend. To all you fathers out there, Happy Father’s day for tomorrow. 

Much love,

Nat

B&B monthly dinner: Tuesday 13th September
6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant
Guest speaker is Jude Furniss (Founder of Bommie Australia and President of  Surfrider Foundation Manly)

 

Jude will present the film “My Saltwater Sanctuary” including footage from Cabbage Tree Bay, which was declared an Aquatic Reserve in 2002.  We all witness daily the stunning success story of how protection over the last ten years has replenished the marine populations here.
NSW currently only has 7 % of its coastline protected in twenty marine sanctuaries, so Surfrider Foundation has joined the Nature Conservation Council in the charge to lobby government to restore the ten sanctuary zones still unprotected, and increase the percentage of marine park areas in NSW by establishing a Sydney Marine Park.
Made by producers Bluebottle Films, it’s a beautiful film about locals living alongside marine reserves … and the difference every one of us can make in the protection of them.

https://bluebottlefilms.com/portfolio/my-saltwater-sanctuary/
Cost of dinner: $25 a head
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:

BOOK HERE NOW

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2016 Winter Badge Ceremony

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 11th 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 (sausage sandwich and a coffee/tea). Bookings are essential to ensure there is enough food.  Book here for Badge Breakfast

All 2016 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…