With 60cm of south swell on a 5 second cycle, under brooding clouds, the after swim chatter was all about a new visitor to the bay that was apparently not a dusky. And according to
And according to Lainey it was not anything she had seen before. The best she could tell the eager breakfast crowd was it was gunmetal grey, had a very long curvaceous tail with what she was sure was less fins than our regular customers and had a very calm observer attitude. When asked for size, as is commonly the case after an unconfirmed sighting, it became difficult to be sure.
I left this on its side so you get a perspective. Given the proximity, Lainey has been to most things down deep, we all agreed it was creating a claustrophobic sensation for our small bay. Lainey has asked us all to keep our eyes peeled and camera’s ready as she wants a photo for the records. I assured her we would all be most vigilant.
With the moon on the wane and the air temps in the very low teens, it made for a snappy start.
Still balmy though at 19 degrees in the water.
Kinda glad though given the lack of sunshine that the Winter solstice approaches and we can start lightening up again.
As Patrick steamed past me this morning in a flurry, even the bubbles were dark.
The Racing Sea Mullet, we very relaxed this morning, searching I’m sure for the first rays of the sun.
Then all of a sudden it popped out through the clouds.
And again without the passing traffic.
Then Deane sped past showing perfect form with the leading arm.
And in her wake an afterglow sizzling on the horizon.
And the homestretch. Well worth the early wake-up, people.
And nothing quite like a Sparkles cuddle to warm the cockles. You lucky boy Napoleon.
PS Lara is working on another “B&B swimmers with whales” cossie design ready for the next Whale encounter. Bring it on.
Have a great week people and don’t forget as Sparkles always says, where you can, make a difference.
Brian
And the Tail lines
New B&B merchandise available via the link: http://www.
Boldandbeautiful-promo
If you need silicon caps or discount cards as a swimmer, see Ian or John at the desk before your swim!
ATEC
B&B Monthly Dinner at Bluewater Cafes
June – Special Gin and Botanical Vodka Tasting Dinner
The next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 13th June at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant, and will include an exclusive Gin and Botanical Vodka tasting for B&B members and their friends. One of our swimmers, Vanessa Wilton, will talk about her new venture, Manly Spirits Co., which has recently launched with an award-winning range of premium Australian spirits that are crafted to showcase the finest Australian produce, sustainably sourced native botanicals and foraged marine botanicals.
The cost of the dinner is great value at only $25 a head, which includes the gin tasting plus shared entrees, and a selection of mains to choose from (including a vegetarian option). Glasses of beer or wine and desserts are also available at the special price of only $5 each. Numbers are limited, so bookings are essential: To avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book HERE.
The ATEC Show – 9-10 September @ Royal Halls of Industries, Sydney:
ATEC, Australia’s premier event celebrating the endurance lifestyle is back this September! Thousands of cyclists, runners, swimmers, triathletes and endurance sports enthusiasts come together to engage with leading endurance brands, learn from industry influencers, meet inspiring athletes, and take part in interactive seminars, workshops, competitions and activations! Book your tickets today on www.atecshow.com.au
Simply use the promo-code “2FOR1ATEC” to grab your 2FOR1 tickets!
Badge info:
The winter swimming season runs from 1 June to 31 August, and to qualify for your winter badge, you must:
swim at least 20 times during this period
swim in at least 7 different weeks
log your swims
To qualify for the WWW badge (winter without wetsuit) you must complete all of the above without wearing a wetsuit or any other form of bodily thermal enhancement (don’t forget to check the “without wetsuit” button on the log in screen). Why not give it a try?
13 comments
Jenny ((:
June 13, 2017 at 11:51 am
That opening shot of Lainey is funny, love the Angle. Great colour in your water / sunrise pics Brian.
Lisa B
June 13, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Beautiful photos Brian! Spectacular colours! Lovely morning swim! I must say I’m not sorry I missed our visitor!
Kerry
June 13, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Grey nurse!
Nurse J
June 13, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Yep, I think Grey Nurse too. Apparently they are listed as critically endangered and one of Australia’s most endangered marine species. We were really fortunate to see it.
Paul
June 13, 2017 at 1:02 pm
We are so fortunate. I would have loved to have seen it.
A small group of did see a grey nurse out around Deadman’s at the beginning of summer. It’s so good to know their around.
Lainey
June 13, 2017 at 1:03 pm
Yes think it was a Grey Nurse shark. The first I’ve seen and as my camera is got lost in the water at Gili Trawangen I couldn’t take a photo. It had MORE fins than a Dusky though and was swimming slower and wasn’t so timid. I started to dive down to look at it’s teeth and decided against it! Great blog Brian. Amazing sunrise shots.
Lainey
June 13, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Just googled and definitely was a Grey Nurse. It’s dorsal and anal fins were quite big and about the same size. There aren’t actually more. How exciting! Can I borrow an u/water camera tomorrow please?
Sue hawkins
June 13, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Although I have spent ear a lifetime working with Nurses,
I yet to have a conversation with grey one – are they friendly to swim
With – like they don’t eat you accidentally?
lesbubs
June 13, 2017 at 2:09 pm
i cannot believe with all the camera’s we have in the water these days NO ONE got a photo of the grey nurse!! priceless!
I did have my camera with me and someone in the water told me about the grey nurse… but for some reason i thought he meant he had seen it earlier!! damn!
maybe tomorrow!!
DWSS
June 13, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Dosile unless food is involved.
As long as you do not have fish strapped to you during the swim,you should be fine,
(That was the last incident in NSW with a speer fisherman)
Divers swim with them all the time with no problems.
Could have been a Thresher shark maybe?
Edwina Harrison
June 13, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Beautiful pics Brian! And lainey lost her camera? Sorry to read that.
Nurse j
June 13, 2017 at 6:54 pm
Didn’t look like a Thresher shark as the tail wasn’t that long and it had the two large equal dorsal fins and a nose and tail like a Grey Nurse. Good tip about not swimming with fish strapped to your body. Always learning :-))
Elizabeth Stewart
June 13, 2017 at 10:26 pm
The sunrise photos are just beautiful.