Wednesday 7/12/2016 Calm Serenity

What a spectacular morning! I woke up earlier than usual and headed down to Manly to try and catch the 6am-ers but was slightly late so I walked to Fairy bower to get an action shot of their crossing. It was so beautiful I decided to pause for a while to take it all in. Most mornings when I arrive there is always a great deal of fun, laughter, banter and planning sessions going on so the opportunity to just stand quietly on the rocks and take in the scene was appreciated. The gentle lapping water was calming, the peace and quiet was thought provoking and the silver light on the ocean made it look so inviting and enticing with the gentle ebb and flow of the tide  producing a soothing sound as it washed serenely against the rocks.

 

 

But with the responsibility of blogging today I knew I couldn’t dilly dally with prolonged poetic thoughts so I hastened my way back to the action at the club. Many more swimmers had arrived and were seemingly unaffected by the rain that was beginning to set in.

 

 

Amelia was so excited to be swimming with her dad Kieran and her husband Berkin at 6.30

 

Michele, Suzanne and Martin joining the 6.30 departure

 

 

Sarah and Jo both looking so effervescent and delighted with the swim

 

A gorgeous happy photo of Anne and Midge ready to start their day after their 6am swim

 

Meanwhile back at the club, Lainey introduced me to Fernanda from Chile. Fernanda is in the running club and Lainey has encouraged her to try the swim as well. Welcome Fernanda

 

 

As the rain continued some sought shelter

 

I also met these two chaps, Brian and Richard, who had come all the way from Melbourne……oops! Torquay….. Well really Jan Juc. they came up to Sydney as a group with John and “Kenny the Legend” to visit Brian and Kenny’s daughters Kristen and Amanda and of course to swim with the B and B.

 

The team from Jan-Juc, Kristen and Amanda, with Pauline from Management who’s nephew Aaron is the president of the Jan-Juc SLSC. He encouraged them all to give the B and B swim a go.

 

I think they all enjoyed it and promised to be back again tomorrow!

 

Shelley, Michelle, Martin and Shaun

 

Jill and Sarah

 

Sarah looking fabulous

 

Debbie, Gayle, Georgina and Debbie’s sister Amanda

 

Newbie, Claire is Debbie’s friend. Welcome Claire

 

Ian, Derek, Roz and Gayle looking pretty drenched even before the swim. A hard workout at Booty camp in the rain will do that I guess. Incredible commitment! I just love how bright and happy their smiles are.

 

As the rain got heavier everyone deserted the wall and sought shelter

 

 

Jarred modelling the new Christmas themed budgy smugglers. Wouldn’t they be perfect for Christmas. Ian from Management assures me the new B and B budgy smugglers swimming costumes will be available before Christmas

 

 

Wendy, Leisa, Brian and Sarah striking a pose

 

All the workers doing a terrific job

 

Lainey, Alison, Edwina and Ted

 

What would a swim be without a coffee. Alison and Georgina enjoying their post swim beverage

 

There are no Shelley Beach photos this morning but I think we would all agree it was a beautiful bay crossing . Even with a little rain hanging around at 7am the conditions were close to  perfect. A calm, warm ocean with a number of beautiful marine life sightings and pretty good clarity made it a very relaxing and enjoyable swim. Finally after the all the excitement of the mornings activities I took another moment to appreciate the brilliant colours of this stunning new day complete with rainbow.

I hope you all have a lovely day

Lisa

Swimmers: 200

Newbies: 6

Water temp:  21.7

A couple of announcements:

* SUMMER TRIPLE BADGE
Please don’t forget our Summer Triple badge this summer! If you can’t make the 6 km distance, or want to warm up for the 6 km swim, why not do a triple Manly-Shelly swim any day and you earn a badge (don’t forget to log it on i-log). Due to popular demand, this year you will be able to earn the Summer Triple as well the 6 km badge. Everyone is eligible for two badges in any combination (triple/6km, 6km/10km, triple/10km), so start training!!

 * Summer Swims 6k and 10k. The 6k swims run on any Saturday during summer from December to February. There is only one 10k swim in each of the months of December, February and March (not in January). The proposed date for the first 10k swim is Saturday 10th December 2016.

* The B&B Christmas calendars are on sale! Grab one for yourself, and many more as stocking fillers!

*  B&B Christmas Party – don’t miss out – BOOK EARLY

*  The B & B Christmas Party this year will be held on Tuesday 13th 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 again this year is simply “Christmas”. So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. Lots of fun and dancing are guaranteed, with music by a fantastic rock band “Gluteus Maximus”. The cost is $10 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

* Vlad, a coach that a few of the B&B long distance swimmers train with is hosting an event in Balmoral on 17th December 2016

They have a 2.5km , 5km and 10km swim event.

The start is from Chinamans Beach, Mosman and swim direction is from Chinamans to Balmoral and back.

Registration starts at 7am and swim starts at 8am.

The link is:
https://www.balmoralswim.com/about-vladswim-balmoral-swim-event