Turns out there were 30+ swimmers completing the first 6km of the season yesterday. And many of them were back today. So today’s blog is dedicated to sore shoulders and leg cramps.
But first things first:
(I feel like my whole life has been leading up to this moment)
Today’s crowd was big. So far, we’ve retrieved 151 swimmers and counting.. I’m guessing the final number will be closer to 200.
The surf was up. And what looked like neat, medium-sized sets from the top of the stairs turned out to be a lot bigger and wilder once you got closer to the action.
6:50am and the crowd was gathering in front of the surf club. Heidi was on fire:
..probably trying to impress her son Oliver, who completed his first B&B swim with us today. Well done Oliver. Glad mum picked an easy day for your first swim!
Lesley, assistant photographer today, was proudly displaying her new camera case, hand-knitted using recycled material from an old pair of speedos that she found at Shelly Beach last weekend.
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Simon, who coincidentally lost a pair of blue speedos around Shelly Beach last weekend..
The Boys working it..
The Girls working it..
HHH: Halfway Henry and Henrietta..
John Bond forging the temperature stats..
Elaine returning from an early Halfway-Shelly-Halfway. You can see the endorphins pumping!
3 photos for today’s ‘spot the blogtart’ section:
7:00am.. time for Ian’s safety instructions:
The surf was up, so Ian had a simple message for everyone:
Unless you are a very confident surf swimmer, it was highly recommended to choose the safe option and enter at Halfway beach:
Ian was right. Halfway stairs was the place to be this morning.
.. a sanctuary of peaceful, pool-like conditions..
..allowing for carefree banter, and even the odd selfie with friends:
But as much as one would have wanted to hang out at Halfway all day, people were waiting at Shelly..
Arriving at Shelly, I was lucky enough to get a photo of these two, normally reclusive, shy characters. They are regular swimmers but hate the limelight. So this is an extremely rare shot:
Annie and Megan.. lovely..
Also lovely.. a rare shot of Charlotte at Shelly. Check out Charlotte’s hair. Stunning. How does she do it!!
Ed, desperately looking for Shelly Beach – the girl, not the beach obviously:
Here’s one for the ladies:
Bombed! (respect Ted, respect..)
Proud dad: Hamish’s first swim with the Bold and Beautiful..
Margot from the Blue Mountains and Wilf.. beautifully bombed by John Bryan:
Once again, Ian warned everyone of challenging surf conditions on the way back.
And, again, many swimmers (prudently) opted to follow his advise and headed for the safe harbour that was Halfway stairs:
Today was also Ocean Care Day and Bold and Beautiful were joining forces with “Clean-up the Bay Swim for Ocean Care Day”.
Many swimmers brought net-bags (or simply stuffed things down their cossies) to collect whatever rubbish they came across during the swim.
Lesley captured this hugle piece of rubbish on her way back – probably a plastic bag or large condom:
Many other swimmers picked up pieces of rubbish. Not all of them as impressive as Lesley’s but every little helps. Good on ya swimmers!
Unfortunately, there was no ‘trophy’ pile of rubbish like last year, but Lesley and Ted won the title of ‘rubbish swimmers of the day’:
For the rest of the morning, Manly turned into the usual post-swim catwalk:
I’ll finish off with a few bonus photos from yesterday’s 6km swim. These are from the 6:30 start group, dutifully documented by Lainy-Loo:
Ian, who abandoned his wife Gayle 5 minutes into the 6km swim. He looked worried:
And I’m particularly proud of this one. Six-person selfie at the Freshwater pool turning point. If you look closely, you can see Little Sarah pulling me underwater. Smiling!
Here’s another 6km finisher from yesterday, Peter. It was Peter’s birthday yesterday. At breakfast, Peter was sharing some plausible theory about the rough surf this morning. Something about him urinating in the water yesterday and Poseidon’s wrath. Worth mentioning, he had quite a few birthday drinks last night:
Have a great Sunday everyone!
Signing off,
Lips
STATS:
Swimmers: 151 (and counting..)
Newbies: Plenty
Water temp: 20 degrees
Swimmer of the Day: Matt Hayes
BOTTOM OF THE BLOG:
The B & B Christmas Party is on Tuesday 9th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome. The theme this year is simply “Christmas“. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. There is no need to be shy, as we will have the whole bar to ourselves. The Steyne will provide finger food and pizza, with drinks at bar prices. Lots of fun and dancing guaranteed, with music by our own band “The Troubadors“, who have generously agreed to perform free of charge for us on the night. The cost is $10 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Our charity partner, the Royal Far West Children’s Home, will also be running a monster raffle on the night, so please come prepared to support them. Bookings are essential. Book HERE now! Don’t miss this fun event, numbers are limited.
On sale NOW!!
The B&B Calendar is the perfect item for the ‘hard to buy for’ person in your life. You can pick one up at the swim from Ian (cash only), or online – Click here – with an option to have it posted or collected from Ian.
Summer Swims
It is that time again! John Bond, has announced the date for the first summer 10K swim challenge is Saturday 13 December 2014. The next one isnt until February. He needs a few volunteers to help as support crew next Saturday please comment below or contact him if you can help. The 6km swims started today and run each Saturday in Summer. They usually follow on from the 7 am Shelly swim with a gathering then northward haul from The Point.
Staying safe
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.
30 comments
Shelly
07/12/2014 at 1:09 pm
Elaine’s impersonation of Jill Rankin is fabulous !
How do we all feel after our 6ks ????
Elizabeth Stewart is just the most amazing swimmer !!! doing the 6ks then swim this morning then off and did the Bondi to Bronte.
I’m taking down my photo of Peter Brock (King of the mountain) and putting up my signed Elizabeth Stewart one !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuC_k51NUqU
Great blog Rainer, love lots of pics !
Cya
Shelly
ros ex
07/12/2014 at 1:19 pm
Did Ed find you this morning Shelly?
ros ex
07/12/2014 at 1:20 pm
Congratulations Rainer on achieving your life’s ambition: Number 33 on the PC! What a champion!
LSA aka HKTQ
07/12/2014 at 1:32 pm
Agree, Elizabeth Stewart is the true Swimmer of the Day! Amazing accomplishment. Congratulations!
LSA aka HKTQ
07/12/2014 at 1:35 pm
I heard Jules was squealing about her latest position…..
ed
07/12/2014 at 1:36 pm
Rainer
I keep getting disappointed
Shelley id not real ??????
Becoming a hermit again
OK AFTER Tuesday night
LSA aka HKTQ
07/12/2014 at 1:39 pm
Amazing blog…almost as amazing as Elizabeth’s swimming weekend!
I ended up with a few war wounds, but for the sake of the blog and helping you get those Halfway lake pics, it was all worth it! Otherwise would have just been another rubbishy-pick up blog:-)
LSA aka HKTQ
07/12/2014 at 1:43 pm
….and the real drama, very sadly, was meanwhile up at North Head. Quite a few people saw ambulance and police vehicles. After Jon’s early 6.00 swim, he cycled up to the North Head look-out (as one does) where a tourist had just minutes earlier fallen down the cliff. Very tragic indeed.
Lainey aka E-laine
07/12/2014 at 1:47 pm
But Shelly isn’t your usual type Ed… You told me you preferred tall brunettes… You guys are fussy!
Snorkles
07/12/2014 at 1:56 pm
Lips! You captured the calmness of Halfway perfectly today,
Kudos to you backing up after LSA trying to drown you yesterday too!
Shelly
07/12/2014 at 2:12 pm
No he didn’t, checked out his profile on RSVP, love to hook up with him !what a man ! !
Lesbubles
07/12/2014 at 3:11 pm
I don’t think Ed is looking at her hair colour..
Pacific Jules
07/12/2014 at 3:16 pm
Ouch, I’m a bit squashed under there Rainer, but… Congratulations !!! Enjoy it while it lasts… I’ll be back… Eventually 😉 x
Love the safe haven at half way beach this morning !!
That 6 person selfie is just awesome. All those beaming smiles as Rainer is drowning, can’t help but smile or maybe laugh whilst looking at it 🙂
Jill Rankin
07/12/2014 at 3:24 pm
Elaine all that swimming isn’t doing you any good! you look much better in real life….
Great blog Rainer….but i’m sure Elaine swam out with the surf this am she was so proud of herself!
great swim today!
LSA aka HKTQ
07/12/2014 at 3:43 pm
…and I don’t get it….are Lesley and Ted complaining there’s not enough rubbish in the ocean?
Should we be planting more for the next collection day?
LSA aka HKTQ
07/12/2014 at 3:45 pm
Special congratulations to Hamish, Oliver and any other youngsters who swam today for the first time!!
Lips
07/12/2014 at 4:50 pm
Thank you Ros, Number 43.
Lips
07/12/2014 at 4:55 pm
Thanks Jules. We both knew this day would come. And thanks for taking your relegation to spot 34 so gracefully.
Have to get used to talking down to you now. Will practice on Ros.
Lips
07/12/2014 at 5:01 pm
I apologize for the confusion. No idea how this happened. I had some wine last night. That’s all.
Lesbubles
07/12/2014 at 5:42 pm
Hilarious! Yes half way was still safer I reckon! That massive bomb of waves at half way was brilliant! I was like a war photographer capturing the action! The waves actually barrelled!!
Jane
07/12/2014 at 5:50 pm
Help! Not sure I’m comfortable with Lips so close behind…….
Shelly
07/12/2014 at 6:06 pm
Rainer drowning was always the plan ! you put out the contract on Rainer if he got ahead of you !
961.0km Rainer Noack
956.5km Julie Isbill
Sorry we failed !
The 10k is plan “B” it will look like an accident.
Anna McBold
07/12/2014 at 6:10 pm
Brilliant comedy Lips!!
Teeth
07/12/2014 at 7:22 pm
Who’s this lips then?
Pacific Jules
07/12/2014 at 8:03 pm
It’s better than having him on top Jane, let me tell you 😉
Pacific Jules
07/12/2014 at 8:03 pm
I second that 😃
Pacific Jules
07/12/2014 at 8:04 pm
Great thanks Shelly. I knew I could count on you. Don’t tell anyone though 😯
heidi
07/12/2014 at 8:28 pm
Hey Lips thanks for posting that hot pic of me. Proud of my little boy swimming through all that foam and filth and still wanting to come back next weekend for more.
Elizabeth X
07/12/2014 at 11:42 pm
Brilliant blog Rainer – v funny
Jane
08/12/2014 at 9:54 am
😱