Wednesday 26th May:

air temperature at 6:30am 18.3 degrees

water temperature: 18.8 degrees!  warmer in than out – just!

conditions: bumpy all the way, strong current, a challenging workout but salty joy!

Sky: a kaleidoscope of pink, grey, red, yellow & orange

ambience: buzzing!

The water has warmed up (well relatively speaking) over the last few days as Lake manly transformed from a Swimmers & underwater photographers paradise to a surfers paradise.  However i presume the cuttlefish are relishing their privacy during mating season!

And The count down to winter is on!  5 days away!   So Its decision time – do i suffer for a bit longer and go for the Winter Without Wetsuit badge?   or do I suffer just because there are so many benefits to swimming in cold water?    Or are you a Wim Hof convert or just curious to see how long you can last?

Amongst the more well publicised benefits, fun fact:  did you know cold water is also supposed to increase libido (according to a study by UK’s thrombosis research institute – cited at “www.swimjim.com”)?  I suspect some of our swimmers may be puzzled by this as it seems at odds with another – less enticing – side effect of cold water swimming…

Cold water swimming is also said to increase “brown fat” which actually generates heat which can a) help build tolerance to the cold (which is great if you are planning on an English Channel swim for example!) and b) is said to help burn calories & improve metabolism, helping with weight loss (so you can have your cake – or in my case ice cream and chocolate – too – in moderation of course!)!.  (https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/swimming-with-brown-fat/ )

However, swimming in cold water must be considered with safety in mind.   If, like me, you are prone to feeling the cold or hypothermia or have other medical conditions, it is wise to limit &/or gradually increase your time in cold water, research and/or see your doctor before undertaking the WWW challenge (much as badges are really tempting!)!   Here is one of many useful articles about safety in cold water swimming to assist your decision making:  https://oceanfit.com.au/everything-you-need-to-know-about-swimming-in-cold-water/

If you are considering forgoing the WWW badge and buying a wetsuit for the first time and haven’t already, here is a useful guide (one of many – the interweb is full of guides!):  https://oceanfit.com.au/what-to-look-for-in-an-open-water-swimming-wetsuit/    .   Local business Manly Boards has a good selection & provides great advice, or, for those who live closer to or work in the city, Fastgear on York St is my go-to.   A Neoprene cap & swim “socks” and perhaps swim gloves are also recommended by many BB’ers (and within the “rules” – which are simply-  no neoprene warming aids on your body but you can wear a rash top – if you are not sure if your attire complies, Ian has kindly offered to inspect it🤔 )..

But first – for those who have been living under the sea, there is a movie called Salt Joy (about the B&B) being made by Indie film maker Tim Keith.    You may have seen Tim hanging around the surf club & in the water filming over the last few months, or even becoming one of the stars!   On Monday night, a fundraiser was held at the Steyne to help Tim raise the funds to complete the project which, after the world premiere in July, will really put the B&B on the world stage as an awesome swimming community & showcase our beautiful playground, and not to mention unearth hidden talents & create a few stars (agents reading this – take note!).   The Brains Trust of the evening (pictured below – Duncan, Frangi, Drinks, Lainey – missing Michelle and Simon) hosted a super-fun evening where we all found out how knowledgeable, or, conversely, “full of shite – we all were…. (note – the WOWs were the worthy winners, clearly very knowledgeable!)..   after being shown a trailer of the movie the excitement was contagious and resulted in a frenzy of bidding for live and silent auction items.    Thanks to the wonderful B&B community for supporting such a fun and important project – if you weren’t able to make it on the night, do consider donating via Tim’s GofundMe page:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tim-keith-raise-funds-for-salt-joy-doco

Given the conditions, the beach front was pretty quiet this morning.  Not a lot of people around, even to walk, coffee etc.  Perhaps they were relishing a rare sleep in!   But those who did venture down made the most of being by the sea – swim, walk, coffee or just a quick dip!   However a common theme was joy at being around salty vitamin sea.

Ian, Craig and David were up early to start their swim from Shelly… Ian is without a wetsuit all year but Craig and David prefer to wear them..

Frances, Des & Katherine swam from Manly with the Drinks Express, however mindful of the conditions they swam out in, they walked back from Shelly.  Frances was hoping to photograph some cuttlefish – however sadly visibility was terrible.   All three remarked that they wish they were brave enough to swim without a wetsuit, or back through the waves at manly!  However, kudos to these three who always also look to retrieve pollution from the bay – today it was sadly a mask that is now deposited where it belongs, in a bin! thanks ladies!

Anna, Leisel and Marinelle swam from manly but finished their return swim at the pool… all winter without wetsuit (dont be fooled – Anna’s full body suit is to ward off jimbles – no neoprene in sight!)!

Paul and Paul had swum one lap manly – shelly – manly – reported that it was very bumpy (worse than it looked) and very hairy around the point (both ways!).

Ingrid, Sarah, Mel and Brooke decided a walk was in order, and Sir Basil (the labradoodle) didnt disagree!   Winter without wetsuit for all these lovely mermaids when the sea calms down!

Kara swam the whole way from Manly – shelly – Manly – reported rough conditions and she was pinned down at the point – thankfully she is ok and now with a well earned heart warming coffee.  Kara showed me her cold hands and despite being susceptible to the cold, always winter without wetsuit after starting her ocean swimming adventures 5 years ago!   Kara provided some great advice for those of us new to winter swimming sans wetsuit – a metal bottle containing boiling water, wrapped in a towel, hot water bottle for the shower, hot water for the shower and of course warm clothes!  thanks Kara I will be taking your advice as I start my winter without wetsuit adventure!

Amanda, Georgina, Row, Deb & Di with four legged buddy Holly – these brave WOW are all WWW!   (Men of the Door take note of these brave ladies!)

Jesse, Cherie & Jim Bob – Jesse will brave WWW, the others wish they were that brave… described todays swim as very choppy and hard work!

Walter was so happy to see his buddy Sir Basil again!

Vitamin Sea, however infused (in, on or by the water) is indeed the BEST way to start the day!

But before I leave you to continue your day, A few announcements – “the rules” for the winter swimming badges & the next BB dinner!

have a great day!

Jocelyn

Winter Swimming – starts 1 June!

While we had hoped that the B&B could resume its normal activities by now, we are still bound by Covid 19 restrictions with which we would be unable to fully comply. So, for the near future, B&B’s operations will continue to be suspended. This does not mean you need to stop swimming. As an encouragement to swim, B&B will offer its usual badges over the winter swimming season. To qualify for a highly prized winter badge, you need to:

• swim from Manly to Shelly and return (or halfway swim) a minimum of 20 times between 1st June and 31st August.
• swim in at least 7 different weeks during the same period.
• log your swims.

If you manage to do all of your qualifying swims without a wetsuit (or other thermal enhancing equipment), you will also qualify for the coveted WWW badge (winter without wetsuit).

Since we no longer have restrictions on movement within the community, the Covid swim will no longer be a swim option and all swims must be at Manly. Should there be any restrictions imposed during the Winter period, The Covid Swim will return as an option.

B&B monthly dinner – 8^th June 2021

The next B&B monthly dinner for the year will be held on Tuesday 8th June at 6.30 pm at Bluewater Restaurant. To celebrate World Oceans Day, this month’s speaker is Robert Olive, co-ordinator and a senior turtle carer from the Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) organisation, whose volunteers have been rescuing seabirds and sea turtles along the NSW coastline for over 25 years. Robert will talk about the amazing work they do and specifically about the rescue, rehabilitation and release of two green sea turtles, Billie and Ella in Cabbage Tree Bay.

There will be the opportunity to sign up to a Volunteers First Responders Training Course to be held on 26 June in Manly to learn about the capture, handling and first aid of seabirds, turtles and other coastal wildlife. Dinner attendees will also have an opportunity to help fund this important work. On the night, Bommie Australia, a Manly conscious clothing & beachwear brand, will donate 50% of all sales of their ocean inspired swim goggle bag range and beach accessories to ASR.

The cost of the dinner is great value at only $30 a head, which includes 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 (please note, NO BYO). Bookings are essential, so to avoid disappointment and secure your spot please book at www.boldandbeautifulmanly.com.au/bb-bluewater-monthly-dinner.html .