Wintery Wednesday 6th April & Noosa Swimmin Wimmin!

OK fess up – i know we in the B&B community LOVE to dance, but who is going to own up that they have been practicing rain dances a little too much?  Did anyone forget their lucky warm weather undies?  Or are we getting so excited about actually being able to maybe just maybe travel to the snow and enjoy a ski season this year, we are snow dancing early before its too cold so it brings rain instead?

water temp: 21.7

air temp: “real feel” 16.9 degrees 🥶

conditions: flat & calm … the sun was somewhere … probably noosa

vibe: excited and chilled before the rain bomb

interesting sights: Danny & jo caught a wave in perfectly flat conditions (magic)

sarah from sales described it as phosphorescent settling like a green smoothie …

those calm, warm, clear days will be here again…. Yesterday, I returned from a long weekend in Noosa catching up with friends – our little group had been like many separated by lock downs, lock ins and lock outs.  …. Noosa was actually calm, flat and warm.  The water was 25 degrees!

I was very grateful to have found out from the local life guards (hint: chat up the local lifeguards – especially brimming with confidence after a few wines from the surf club – they are a wealth of information!) about a local swimming group in Noosa, the “Swimmin Wimmin” (and friends – cos they are inclusive and so there are a few top blokes in the group too!).      I was told they met Tuesdays, Thursdays and saturdays at the lifeguard tower, starting swimming at 7:30, so i was advised to get there early!     Thanks to Noosa’s school holiday free buses (genius! – parking is as bad as Manly!!) I arrived at the beach at 6:50, and met Pamela who is pretty much the first to arrive every day  – spending the time watching the ocean as a kind of meditation – it was so calm & quiet on the beach before the influx of happy & active kids on holidays (and their cabanas!),  I could absolutely understand the earlier arrival.  Pamela has been a constant in the group for 10-12 years.    She was very welcoming and friendly, describing the various swim options according to the conditions & the group vibe that day, the general conditionsin Noosa’s Bay, shark reassurance (had to put that in!) and group etiquette (swim with a buddy, where to regroup etc), and importantly – where on the beach promenade to meet for a post swim coffee!  Arrivals from around 7:00 were Philippa, followed by Nettie, Tracey, Jenny, Maryanne, Tamara, Kylie, Peter, Trudie  and Jane and a few others (i forgot to get their names!).     Their enthusiasm, cameraderie (and pink caps!) reminded me of our fabulous Bold & Beautiful community at Manly.   Friendships & bonds formed from a shared love of the ocean, the energy & calmness swimming provides:  the ocean always seems to be what we need it to be on any given day – whether energising, invigorating,  calming or healing. 

Talking to the group, their fascinating stories and backgrounds (one splits her time between Noosa and Hobart!!) were very similar to our own community.   Everyone had been “introduced” by another swimmer over the years, & the thrice weekly ocean swims becoming routine & important connection especially during lockdown (well in Queensland case – a “lock in”).  Like me and so many others of our community, a few of the group had started ocean swimming during lockdowns, making the transition from pool to ocean (and some continue pool sessions!).     One in particular recounted her chance meeting with one of the Swimmin Wimmin “friends ” (aka blokes) at Yoga, and he convinced her to come along.   She recounted her first nervous swims sticking to her yoga buddy like glue, terrified of sharks and gradually releasing the dependency as her confidence grew – sound familiar?

We had another visitor joining – Amy from Melbourne – who caught up with us as we started our swim to the first regroup point “the stairs”.  The group swims at a mix of speeds and everyone is encouraged & never swimming alone, fins or no fins all are welcome.   They all look out for each other.   After the regroup, most swam back to the beach (about a 1-1.2km return) and a smaller group of 6 of us then swam a bit further to “two trees” (about 2 kms return – im glad I joined them as the sand ripples we swam over were mesmerisingly beautiful) – i had a little chuckle at the very “imaginative” naming of landmarks pretty much like we have in our own cabbage tree bay.    If there is a larger group of adventurous souls they swim a bit further around to the “boiling pot” which is around a 3.8km return – and there is a little ceremony for any swimmer who swims that for the first time (I wont spoil it for you but it sounds pretty cool – dont worry nothing nasty!!).  Apparently very few sharks sighted as the bay at Noosa is fairly shallow, however the group wont swim north towards the river mouth (we all know the sea creatures congregating at river mouths 🦈 waiting for the sushi trains!).

We had such a lovely swim I was sad to be leaving that day.  On my part I was so grateful to have my first swim adventure since 26th February and share it with such a fabulous group!    Although Noosa isnt blessed with the sea life we have at Manly (hence no underwater photos – but i had forgotten to pack my camera anyway), the warm water, rippling sandy floor art, cameraderie and friendships of the “Swimmin Wimmin” sure make up for it 🙂

So, if you are in Noosa, if you are looking for an awesome bunch of fellow swim buddies –  the Swimmin Wimmin (and a few blokes!) meet under the lifeguard tower at the Surf Club every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – suggest arriving 7-7:15 for a 7:30 sharp wander into the water!   I can guarantee you

will have a lovely swim and an even better coffee catch up after with wonderful fabulous swimmers 🙂

The next few days look like days to hit the snooze button  (like Chance)…

or have a coffee with man-mates ..

Have a wonderful Wednesday, stay safe & especially those in flood zones, stay sane, be kind, look out for and after each other,

Jocelyn

PSA:

Summer Badge Collection 2022

Congratulations to all those who completed summer swimming challenges. If you missed the official Badge Ceremony on 27 March, there are still three ways you can obtain your badge(s)

1. See Ian any day of the week before 7 am with cash ($10 per badge).
2. Place cash for your badges inside a self-addressed, stamped envelope – $10 per badge for the Summer Badge (if you completed 30 swims over winter) and an extra $10 for the Super Swimmer Badge if you completed 50 swims. Also, $10 each for the distance badges (triple, 6 k and 10 k). Family members/friends sharing an envelope must clearly name each swimmer and badge achieved. Please check postage rates and size of envelope required for multiple badges. Post this envelope in another envelope to Ian Forster, 6 Bligh St, Northbridge 2063.
3. Wait until Saturday 9th April when Ian and Anne will be at the benches (100 m north of the surf club) between 8 and 8.30 am with all the badges, including past summer and winter badges. Cash or credit card will be accepted on this date.

If you missed out on your summer badges, start training now for the winter challenge, starting 1st June. Happy swimming.

B&B monthly dinner – Tuesday 12th April 2022

At our next monthly dinner, to be held on Tuesday April 12th at Bluewater Café at 6.30 pm, we will go behind the scenes of Careflight. Each year Careflight treats and transports around 8,500 patients in need of critical care. This is your opportunity to really get an insider’s view of what happens when that call goes out and these dedicated professionals hit the sky. Only a couple of years ago, one of our own, Mark Drinkwater aka Stickman, was a recipient of this life saving service. After a horrific motorcycle accident, he was airlifted to hospital and due to the dedication and professionalism of the pilots and medical staff on board he is back swimming with us today. In response to this event, a group of Mark’s fellow swimmers (The Drinks Express) has been conducting fundraising for Careflight over the last few months. More than $20,000 has been raised and a giant cheque will be presented to Careflight on the night on behalf of all those B&B swimmers who helped with the fundraising or donated to the cause.

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 HERE.