Summer swims!

A south-easterly swell with a gently northerly wind sounds the perfect combination for a long swim, right? Possibly, but the conditions weren’t particularly gentle today. However a large group of keen swimmers were not to be denied their 6K badge. More on this later

Some disturbance this morning in the form of a charity sausage sizzle. Humans and canines evicted from the benches

Napoleon and Freddy look unimpressed

But Bindi was having none of it, you go girl.

Warm water, it’s definitely summer

A good morning for taking it all in

The conditions were fairly rough and visibility under the surface barely worth mentioning. But here’s something interesting

This an scientifically designed artificial sea wall which was placed outside the (finally!) finished Fairy Bower pool in the hope that it will attract a population of algae and fish. Cool hey?

For me, the swim is all about the residents – all the fish, cephalopods, rays, sharks and everything else. I love photographing them but do my best to remain conscious of the impact of my presence on them, constantly reminding myself not to get in their faces or chase them. Not only can it scare them (and we all love that the are so relaxed around humans), the bigger ones might get aggressive and that wouldn’t be fun. The other day I saw an eel and was videoing it while floating on the current. But the current took me a bit close and it reared up and showed me its teeth so I backed off and apologised.

I was taking a photo of the 3 ladies on the right for the blog, but like bees to a honeypot along came 2 of the best blog tarts in the business

6k swimmers and doublers at the Point on their way back from Shelly

JK explaining and everyone listening

and they’re off!

Here’s a few unaffiliated swimmers

Great work in less than optimal conditions, well done all you distance legends!

back on shore

What am I listening to? More Bowie, a Pixies cover this time, can’t go wrong