17/11/2013 -The broken heart of Queenscliff

Over 99 swimmers eventually came down to swim this morning. This included approx 6 swimmers who completed the 3km Bolderdash return swim to Queenscliff.

If you have never “done a Bolderdash ” this  picture from Richard shows the handy work of our resident B&B artist who recently perfomed open heart surgey on the Queens cliff with a now broken pink heart. So when you can actually see the crack in the pink heart you know you have arrived at the half way point of the Bolderdash.

 

 

The only bright light at the 5.43 sunrise was from the tractor.

 

First light at the club was Beverly opening up for coffees.

 

Photographer Nigel was still hoping for a late sunrise shot that never came.

 

Lutz was the first swimmer to arrive at 6.03 escorted by mother in law Midge but they chose to take a warm up 3kms on the beach to Queenscliff

 

Next to arrive was Gary the tractor driver who asked me to check his break lights. Where are the swimmers??? Getting over the dolphin whisperers 50th??

 

 

Troy arrived in half a wetsuit @6.08

 

 

Next was Ian & Pauline with the “roll-book” .  Ian would appreciate, the time saving to him, if more people used the B&B app to sign on.

Simply email Ian on – iforster2@optusnet.com.au to request the B&B app link details.

 

@ 6.30 Lutz & Midge were ready for a swim and joined the first wave of the morning – The Drinks Express minus Drinky.

Vicki our sole pink hat sponsor (see her company name on your pink hat) and happy own of the Auctioned Knappman masterpiece signed in at 6.34

 

Next came Helen who chose to swim in a pink top with black cardigan

 

John-Paul got ready by “rolling -on” his swim suit.

 

It was a bit chilly for Sarah & Nick so they planned to swim with scarf and coffee

 

These 3 princesses were fighting over who would swim in the tiara

 

Bernard and Elaine choose more water proof materials

 

Here is Lloyd our first Newbie of the day

 

Alex chose a towel over his speedos

 

Bill is wearing a post card. If he gives you one please fill it out and hand it back to him

 

Baby Stephanie just brought her adoring fans

 

Cass chose red, white, black & pink

 

Hatless Dave did the 6.30 express and then backed up  for a criuse to see the Broken Heart at Queens cliff.

 

Photographer Gary? (in black) told me he has enough B&B pictures to publish a book

Who is coaching who?

 

I found colourful newbies Jen and Simon floating off the point.

 

Every day I use this house as the marker for the 100 metre sprint to Shelly.  I’m on for a race with who ever is there at the time.

 

Some Shelly shots , Sterling (seconf pic below) opted for the wetsuit to keep up with John Paul

 

Finally – Coach Lee’s squad

Peter, Lee, Nan, Michael & Rhonda

 

 

Have a ripper snorter of a week

from

Simon (Part time blogger & Pa to the very cool Leila and Max)

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Stats

Swimmers: 99

Newbies: 5

Water Temp: 20.1 degrees

Sunrise:5:43am

Sunset:7:38pm

 

B & B Christmas Party

The B & B “Mad Hatters” Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday 3rd December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome (no under 18s unfortunately). Wear your craziest hat or other headwear. No need to be shy as we will have the whole bar to ourselves. Finger food will be provided and drinks will be at bar prices. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with a band featuring one of our very own swimmers. Come along to find out who it is. The cost is $10 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Don’t miss out. Bookings are essential. Book HERE now so you don’t miss out!

B & B Attendance Login App

The new B&B Attendance Login App is live!! Using the App you can log your swim (only if you did swim), between 5am and 9am on the day of the swim.  No need to tick the attendance sheet as the App does that for you.  As swimming with the B&B has become the coolest thing to do, using the App will reduce the queue for the sheets so you will never be late for the 7am call.

To get started, please send an email to Ian Forster (iforster2@optusnet.com.au) requesting to have your account activated.  You will receive detailed instructions how to operate the system. No badge, but bragging rights for being an early adopter.  Happy ticking.

Badges, badges and more badges!!

Summer Badge season is just a couple of weeks away!! The sign of a committed ocean swimmer is a B&B 6km or 10km Summer Badge.  The 6km swims take place every Saturday in summer.  The first 10km swim is proposed to be held on 14 December.

Cleaning up the Bay

Michelle Sparkes is organising a Clean Up Cabbage Tree Bay Swim on 1 December. This foraging swim is being held to reduce the rubbish in the Bay with the aim is to protect the marine life from ingesting or becoming tangled in nasty plastic.

Have Fun more with the Pacific Challenge

Our website guru, Magnus Butlin has developed a fun new page which shows a different take on the Pacific Challenge. The new page shows each swimmer’s progress over the last week (or fortnight/month/two months) in terms of their position on the leader board.

The bumps chart can be accessed from the Pacific Challenge page via a button in the top right hand corner. Take a look and see how many people you have passed in the Pacific Challenge in the last few weeks:

http://www.faulconbridgesoftware.com/bb/pub/bumps.htm

The ‘divisions’ listed are the columns currently shown on the Pacific Challenge page. At this stage, only the first five columns (300 swimmers) are shown.

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.