Saturday squid games 23 October 2021

Wake up, it’s a brand new morning. Time to greet the sun as Manly starts to awaken to a sense of normality. The restaurants and coffee shops are opening, the carnivals are beginning, the nippers are out. I even heard a tapdancing class on my way home after my swim.

It is wonderful knowing that the sound of crashing surf is now accompanied the chorus of life as people go about normal weekend activities as the beach as Manly comes alive again. What a beautiful noise!

Above: Sam and Issy on their first every Bold and Beautiful swim. Welcome.

Above: The BBB contingent.

Above: Rusty and Amanda of the 6.30 group.

Above:  Caroline captured the spectacular 6.04am sunrise.

Above: Sean did the swim, coffee and dash to work.

Air temperature 17C (at 6.30am)

Water temperature 19.2C (at 6.30am)

No of swimmers at various times: 123 by 1pm

Visibility: Murky

Squid count: 0

Above: Ready to take anything on. Angela and Kate are happy with the perfect conditions and that a Bold and Beautiful swim does not have a Squid Games ending.

Above: Chippo planking encouraged by TFS, Stealthy, Rusty and Mel.

Above: The usual suspects heading north.

Above: A and I escaping from their kids for their weekly swim.

Above: Welcome back to Manly, Peter, who had been swimming at Balmoral during the lockdown.

Also Team, tomorrow young Errol has a birthday. You are all invited to come and celebrate by either wearing your swimmers inside out for tomorrow’s swim, or just don the undies for your circuit! Happy Birthday Errol!

Rusty’s Pitch Report

Sarge swinging arms under the glorious 19.2 chalk wall, talking exiles, pizza dough and the vibe returning to Manly. TFS shivers without his wetsuit getting in (in my head I think weak), winter without a wetsuit, brown fat warmth, am I going to need a bottle of cold water over my head at the end of the swim? Chippo finds a tick in his hair. Push off to the point, it’s getting warmer (I look suspiciously at Chippo). No turtle. No squid. No drop off at temp at Shelley. I can see the bottom all the way. Push out to the wall, and catch a brown blur of a PJ shoot under me. Stealthy stops mid bay far out to sea, and we contemplate our lucky life. A small wave or 2 in. The wall is busy, coffee, friends and laughter, life is good.

Thank you to Rusty and Caroline for their contributions.

You all have a good one and watch out for the red light!

Oosty

ANNOUNCEMENT

Winter Badge Collection 2021

The Winter badges are finally on their way! Congratulations to all those who completed their Covid-19 winter swimming challenge. As more than 500 swimmers qualified, the badge distribution this year will initially be via snail mail to maintain a Covid-safe environment for our volunteers. Unfortunately, only virtual handshakes and hugs from Ian, John, Anne and Pauline and contact-less distribution.
There are two ways you can obtain your badge(s)

• Method 1. Inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope place cash for your badge/s – $10 per badge for the Winter Badge (if you completed 20 swims over winter) and an extra $10 for the WWW Badge if you did those swims without a wetsuit. Family members/friends sharing an envelope must clearly name each swimmer and badge achieved. Please check postage rates and size of envelope required for multiple badges. Post this envelope in another envelope to Ian Forster, 6 Bligh St, Northbridge. 2063.
• Method 2. Wait until Covid restrictions on gathering are relaxed. We will then arrange a time for you to collect your badges from us in person. No promises when this will be but it may be when the vaccination rate reaches 80%.

Badges will be posted as soon as they arrive. If you have any other badges that you are missing and wish to purchase, please include cash for those as well.