Thursday 30 November – Our own group of royalty

So this week the hype has been around the royal engagement and the upcoming spring wedding.  But when you think about it, Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad really has a lot of similarities to our what is happening on the other side of the globe.

Our queen is of course Julie Isbill who set up Bold and Beautiful as a free social group who like to swim every morning of the year, even in winter.  Her legacy includes the English Channel and the Triple Crown.  Although Julie is now based in Western Australia, she returns regularly to catch up with her adoring subjects.

We have the rest of the royal family – aka management. 

Ian, of course, is like Charles, turns up to all the functions, kisses all the girls etc while Sean is a bit like the Earl of Wessex – deep down he wants to be king, but the reality is that even he knows its never going to happen.

Mind you Ian could be in the running for the court jester and Pauline has her sights on the title of queen (sorry the image is on the side).

We have the regular court jester who loves to find a way into any photo.

And the royal guardsmen – the A team – they make sure everyone sticks to the rules and keeps in line – they maintain the royal passage around the rocks and into Manly no matter the conditions.

Megan may have a new Sparkle on her finger but Bold and Beautiful have their own, the beautiful Michelle – she's been practicing that royal wave (sorry about the image being on its side).

Bold and Beautiful have their own "Suits" – they come in the form of a budgie smuggler and pink cap.

For the girls its a pink cap and wetsuit or brightly coloured swimmers – the brighter and more visible the better in our royal clic.

Every morning we have our royal procession.

We even have our own knights and honours system for winter swims, summer swims and collective distances.

John Bond holds our highest honour.  Every morning takes the temperature for us and in summer runs the 6km and 10km swims. He is also number 1 on the Pacific Challenge having logged over 4000km with Bold and Beautiful – in B&B terms that makes him Sir John.

Fiona (right) is 2nd and our top lady swimmer with 3600km (photos stolen from earlier blogs), so surely she deserves the honour of Dame Fi.

Our show has plenty of stars as well.  There's Andrew (right) who runs the 6.30 Drinkey Express

.

This morning we had four new stars – first time swimmers (sorry I can't remember your names – one came along with his mate while the second photographed was swimming with B&B for the first time with her dad – sorry about the water blob on the lens).

Roger (second from left) is another star – doing many of the groovy graphics for our swims and parties.

Anyway have a "royally" good day, whatever that means.

Till next time

D from the Z's.

Management notices

This cossie was found yesterday – it doesn't fit Sean or Ian but believe me they tried to make it fit.  If you are its rightful owner contact management.

Today's stats:
Temperature:      20.1 degrees
Newbies:              4
Total swimmers:   214

Summer swims:

As the Summer long distance swimming season approaches, management thought that it would be a good time to clarify what it takes to earn a badge. Three long distance swims are on offer:
· The 6 km swims are held every summer Saturday morning generally starting with the 7 am swim. The first 6 km swim will be on Saturday 2nd December.
· There is a 10 km swim once a month over summer also generally starting with the 7 am swim. Dates for these will be announced in the blog. The first will be on December 16th.
· If these swims are too long for you, you can try a Triple Manly to Shelly swim any day during Summer (distance 3.5 km) from 6.30 or 7 am.
You will earn a badge if you complete these swims and log them in iLog. The system will only record authorised 6K or 10K swims that are logged on the appropriate days. Badges will be presented at the Summer Badge Ceremony in March. If you are unsure of the routes and protocols for these swims, please ask at the desk before you swim. When swimming these longer distances, we request that, for safety reasons, you stay with the group. We also request that you do not swim in dangerous conditions. The quest for a little cloth badge is not worth putting your life at risk.
Enjoy your swimming.

B & B Fundraising Christmas Party

Please book early for the B & B Christmas Party, which will be held on Tuesday 12th 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). The theme this year is “Retro Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music again this year by the band, “Gluteus Maximus”, who play two types of music, Rock and Roll! The cost is $15 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Book HERE now! Don’t miss out on this fun event, numbers are limited.

Donations wanted
As usual at the Xmas Party, we will be raising money for the Royal Far West as well as for B&B. This year RFW have some amazing prizes which will be auctioned on the night, including fantastic accommodation packages. We would also be grateful to have additional prizes to be auctioned, so if you have something special that you are happy to donate for the auction, please contact Ian (ugoboyo@gmail.com).