Pacific Jules

03/02/2012 - Rain Drops & Smiles

2012-02-03T10:44:33+11:00

72 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

What a swim for the last official Bolderdash of the summer... the four guys who braved the dark were rewarded with more darkness as they neared Queenscliff. The water turned brown and the visibility reduced to arm length so they turned a little short, fair enough too.

As you can see from the colour or lack there of in all of today's photos, it's another grey day. There's plenty of raindrops but they don't stop the smiles :-)

Chris was very happy to be back in the water after about 4 weeks off. Sarah was enjoying experimenting with Stephen's new Garmin (I'm sure we'll see Sarah's 'statistics' via a comment soon) and there was a lot of splash to be made ;-)

The swim was calm and lovely, at least to start with until blue kinda became green...

To view the Garmin report of my swim today click on the link below. I pressed 'stop' instead of 'lap' at Shelly (whoops) so it shows the swim to Shelly and back as one split instead of two.
Bold & Beautiful Swim by pacificjules at Garmin Connect - Details

The point is a popular place at 7am, check out the second photo below... Stephen took an array of lovely distance shots for us... it looks like he may have enjoyed a coffee half way along this morning :-)

Even though we are in mid summer, yes really we are... Stephen has found this website with tips of how to acclimatise to cold water. So you have plenty of time to read up and get ready for your winter swimming. We can expect a rise in the number of 'winter without wetsuit' badges this year then ??

Happy birthday to Patrick Coleman today :-)

Water Temperature 21.9
Air Temperature 20.5
Sunrise 6.18am
Sunset 8.00pm
High Tide: 5.34am
Low Tide: 12.29pm

02/02/2012 - Happy Ending

2012-02-02T11:06:32+11:00

62 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

Whilst most people were still snuggled up indoors we were all feeling very chuffed with ourselves that we had got up and at it. Rain, hail or shine you never regret it once you've finished. It's always worth getting out of bed for even on these dreary mornings :-)

The boys looking on 'in awe' at Ricky showing us how big and brave he is... and Lutz doing his mid way stretches :-)

Stephen couldn't swim this morning but he was still up and joining in with his camera and umbrella. Thanks for these great photos Stephen. In the third photo you can see Stephen crouched down on the sand at Shelly taking one of these photos :-)

Some fun waves at the end causing lots of laughs. Especially when Jenny landed on top of Bernie... what a friendly lot we are :-)

My sensational new Garmin watch, that you guys so kindly and generously bought me for my birthday, arrived yesterday - I love it, thank you very much :-) I swam with it this morning and it tells me that I swam 605 strokes (one stroke is measured as each right arm stroke), 1.37km and for 31 minutes and 47 seconds - check out the links below to see the output (there's a link top right to change the view to metric)... cool hey !! :-)

Garmin Connect - Bold & Beautiful Swim

Untitled by pacificjules at Garmin Connect - Details.

Please see below an invitation to Bruce's 83rd birthday party. Bruce's birthday is actually on Fri 10th Feb but the party is on Sun the 12th. Everyone is most welcome and Bruce would love to see you there, even if you only have time to pop in your presence will be warmly appreciated and as it's BYO no rsvp is necessary. Please just turn up and enjoy :-)

Water Temperature 22.0
Air Temperature 19.5
Sunrise 6.17am
Sunset 8.00pm
Low Tide: 11.25am
High Tide: 5.08pm

01/02/2012 - Rainy Days & Calm Seas

2012-02-01T10:03:19+11:00

55 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

5 swimmers enjoyed a reasonably calm Bolderdash this morning, it would have been dark though what with the later sunrise and the cloudy skies.

Even on these miserable days we still get new swimmers, welcome to our three first timers today.

Everyone was trying to stay dry for as long as possible, although there's something good about the rain as it usually calms the seas. We're gonna get wet anyway so it 'shouldn't' matter to us ;-)

There were hundred's of fish this morning but they all seemed to be huddled near the rocks.

A bit of a rip and a nice little wave to finish :-)

Now is your chance to chase Neil on the Pacific Challenge as he is off to visit friends up north today. Enjoy Neil, please send us some on tour photos and hurry back soon to re-claim your rightful spot ;-)

Izzy's fact of the day: "When sharks bite down, their eyes automatically close in case their prey starts squirming trying to get free, and thereby cause damage to the shark's eyes in the process." So much for poking them in the eye...

For all you theatre loving swimmers we have a fantastic new offer available exclusively to B&B with Glen St Theatre !!! To find out more about our fabulously discounted tickets please click here

Happy birthday to Mark Kelly today :-)

Water Temperature 22.5
Air Temperature 19.5
Sunrise 6.16am
Sunset 8.01pm
Low Tide: 10.07am
High Tide: 3.48pm

31/01/2012 - Good Morning Wave

2012-01-31T10:14:05+11:00

82 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

A few swimmers checked out the conditions for us with a bonus early lap into Shelly this morning, and whilst there was a nice wave off the beach most of the time, the rip was a little further away from the rocks than usual and occasionally a decent set of dumpers came rolling through so some of us had a gentle stroll round to Half Way before starting our swim :-)

There was a beautiful big Wobbegong just off half way beach, so we were rewarded for our choice too :-)

Cate Brockbank was feeling suitably proud of herself for her first swim with no flippers, great job Cate and as you can see from Shane's war wounds he got a little closer to the rocks than he planned coming in - ouch :-(

One of the many wonderful things about B&B is that we are just a group of friends swimming together (at our own risk and without water safety). As such it's not a race and we all wait for each other off the point and at Shelly Beach so there's no pressure. So... if you are ever in doubt about the conditions please remember we always have the relaxing half way option available to us... where we still get to swim and all meet up at Shelly, but without that early morning adrenaline rush.

Happy Birthday to Wilf Deck today :-)

Check out these awesome flags of recent Solo English Channel Swimmers !! As you can see our very own Iain McGregor gets his very own flag !!! :-) Sensational Iain, where can we see your flag flying ??

The South African flag for "Jolly" Roger Finch is the solo swimmer who Nicole Piha crewed for on the same day that Iain swam :-)

Water Temperature 21.4
Air Temperature 20.5
Sunrise 6.15am
Sunset 8.02pm
Low Tide: 8.53am
High Tide: 3.38pm

30/01/2012 - Mushy

2012-01-30T10:04:39+11:00

57 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

The lifeguards closed the beach so we wondered round to half way beach for a rock 'n roll swim to Shelly and back.

The mushy chop always makes for a fun swim. David Adams said he knew we were a grubby bunch but thought we could have at least turned the rinse cycle off before we jumped in :-)

Now talking about Dave... unfortunately for us, we only have 6 weeks left to enjoy him and his beautiful wife and daughter, Lindsay and Sydney... so please come down and have a swim or 30 with him before he leaves us to go back to the USA :-(

Back to today's swim; as you can see from the third photo below, Scott was very proud of his achievements at the end of his first swim with us after having thought about it for a couple of years...

6 swimmers continued on to the point before returning to half way to rack up an extra couple of hundred metres.

5 swimmers also enjoyed or was it endured Bolderdash by swimming two early laps into Shelly and back !!

Great effort to everyone who swam the Palm to Whale yesterday, it seems like you all had a swell ole time...

An update below from James on his 'Bloody Big Swim' in Victoria on Saturday.

"Time was 3:26. Beaut Day. Water was 19 and air was 34. Only about 60 soloists. It really was a mini Rotto in so many ways: At 11.2 kms, it is still an epic but not as long, but just quietly is much safer and more scenic. A swim tour down the Mornington Peninsula past clifftops and bluffs containing mansions and summer homes of the known and unknown Victorian affluent. If you guys are keen, now is the time as I am sure it is going to grow. Especially now that Rowan has cleaned up down there. We've given it a bit of exposure this year for sure. I will have a full album up on my facebook page a bit later so you can see what I mean about how scenic it is."

The Cole Classic is on at Manly this Sunday so there will be boats throughout the bay setting up cans ready for the event so we will swim in the harbour.

Water Temperature 24.0
Air Temperature 20.5
Sunrise 6.14am
Sunset 8.02pm
Low Tide: 7.52am
High Tide: 1.44pm

29/01/2012 - Happy Days

2012-01-29T10:11:02+11:00

115 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

Another lovely swim with lots of smiling faces enjoying the bath-like water temperature and lovely clear water.

Despite the strong nor-easterly wind, I don't want to speak to soon, but... we seem to have escaped the bluies again - happy days !!

Fifi and Libby saw a group of what appeared to be stationary fish suspended off the point. They must of been in awe of all the swimmers above them ;-)

There were about half a dozen dusky whalers enjoying the swim with us this morning plus Fifi's super fast blue fish...

7.35am and it's change over time at South Steyne :-)

Then for the ever important and always enjoyable apres swim.... Nick was lovin' the ladies or was it the ladies lovin' Nick :-)

Michael's weather predictions promise beautiful conditions for Bolderdash tomorrow... the early morning Bolderdash swims are numbered as sunrise is getting later and later, so come down and make the most of the last few or give one a go. Tomorrow looks like it's the one to do (in the water at 5.50am).

Good luck to everyone in the Palm to Whale this morning !!

Water Temperature 24.4
Air Temperature 21.5
Sunrise 6.13am
Sunset 8.03pm
Low Tide: 7.01am
High Tide: 1.00pm

28/01/2012 - B&B's A Real Family Affair

2012-01-28T10:16:20+11:00

Over 174 Bold & Beautiful swimmers !

Another delightful swim in beautiful warm, clear water.

There were lots of surf boats amongst us in they bay making a great spectacle as they assembled for their relay race between Shelly and Freshie.

We swam over a gorgeous super sized Wobbegong just off the point. Deb & Vicki are showing you just how big on the IRB in the photo below... ;-)

There were lots of dusky whalers out and about this morning too, sadly one with a tracer in it's right hand pectoral fin.

Check out this lovely photo of Maureen Rath with all of her beautiful children and their partners who joined her for a swim this morning... Why ?? Well, it was her birthday present !!! I can't believe we didn't know. A very happy belated birthday for last Monday (23rd Jan) Maureen. It won't go under the radar next year that's for sure !!

18 swimmers continued on for their 6km summer badge up to Queensie followed by a second lap into Shelly and back, including quite a few first timers. Well done all !! To see who they were check today's attendance after midday today.

To see who has swum the 6 and 10km swims in total so far this summer please click here and then click on the respective 6 and 10km download files.

Good luck to James Goins in 'The Bloody Big Swim' from Frankston to Mornington in Victoria today. I'm sure we will receive an update from Nicolee as soon as he is finished.

Good luck to everyone in the Palm to Whale swim tomorrow morning too !!

Water Temperature 24.5
Air Temperature 21.5
Sunrise 6.12am
Sunset 8.04pm
Low Tide: 6.15am
High Tide: 12.22pm

27/01/2012 - Blue Blue Water

2012-01-27T10:00:07+11:00

100 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

The skies might be grey but it doesn't worry us as the water is so blue, clear and warm.

The seas have calmed making it was a magical swim with so much beautiful marine life around.

A couple of great photos underwater of Eleanor cruising along, Cathie about to catch a wave and someone with a serious out board motor :-)

John K caught the wave of the morning...

14 swimmers enjoyed a lovely Bolderdash. There will only be one or two more weeks of Bolderdash left so please make the most of them :-)

Look forward to seeing you all for a Summer 6km Badge Swim tomorrow morning - continuing on from the regular Shelly swim at 7am !! ;-)

There are a few photos of yesterday around the place including on the Good For Manly Facebook page and in the Manly Daily which has a beautiful photo of Madlen and Sven becoming proud Australians at Newport yesterday.

Happy birthday to Aaron Bird today :-)

Water Temperature 24.5
Air Temperature 21.5
Sunrise 6.11am
Sunset 8.04pm
High Tide: 11.46am
Low Tide: 6.09pm

26/01/2012 - Happy Australia Day !!

2012-01-26T15:13:37+11:00

366 Bold & Beautiful swimmers that ticked, so it would be well over 400 !!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY EVERYONE !!!

What a fantastic start to the day ! Despite the grey skies and decent surf we still had a fantastic turnout, a wonderful swim and a tremendous morning together in true Aussie style. All sticking together, looking out for each other and most importantly having fun together.

A massive thank you to Greg McDonagh who did a tremendous job starting us off and getting us into the spirit with a fantastic rendition on the trumpet, of which we all heartily joined in, of Advance Australia Fair before we launched into the water for our swim.

Our fancy dress swimmers were a sensation, we had Pete the Pavlova, Brendan the Vegemite on toast, Yasmin the Lamington and Stephen the fairy bread. Brilliant !!! You guys went down a treat... I'm sure the fish appreciated the contribution too ;-)

The majority of people swam out through the surf but due to conditions a fair number took the peaceful option and walked around to half way beach to start their swim, all coming together at Shelly Beach.

We were joined by our local member Mike Baird and Team Aidan who are swimming in the Cole Classic next weekend to raise money for the Kids' Cancer Project. If you'd like to support team Aidan and this great cause please click here

Thank you to everyone who joined in this morning and especially to all of our swimmers who chose to join in on craft, helping to make the swim such a relaxed and pleasant occasion for everyone.

I must extend a special mention however, to Greg Bennett and Mark Kelly who joined in especially again this year with neighbours and friends on their stand-up paddle boards just as they did last year.

It was wonderful to have such a vast age range from, I think, 7 was the youngest to our most senior participant, Bruce Paterson who turns 83 in a few days.

Thank you also to Manly Wine who put on a superb brekkie for us all after the swim.

As you are aware Jenny Knapman and myself had to rush straight off to Manly Council for the Australia Day Ceremony.

I am extremely proud and honoured to have been awarded as the inaugural 'Manly Sportsperson Of The Year' for the Bold & Beautiful.

Thank you so much to Jenny Knapman for being the accidental reason B&B ever began. To Jenny, Anita Keelan, Cynthia Alley & Deb Hanson for swimming on that first day just over 3 years ago and for nominating me along with others for this award. To every single person who has ever swum with B&B, embraced us and supported us. To Michael who helps out with everything behind the scenes but always slides under the recognition radar, as do many other wonderful friends. Without you all B&B would never be. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to you all !!

Thank you also Jenny, for making the first ever speech of your life on this occasion today, you were brilliant ! If you missed it you can enjoy it here courtesy of Stephen Coulter.

It was so lovely to see so many of you at the ceremony and especially Jonny Schaffer who was in the audience in his pink cap :-) Thanks guys !!

I am so proud to be a part of B&B, to know you all and to be the recipient of this Australia Day award. Thank you !!!

Long may B&B continue and here's to many more swims and many many more wonderful friends !!

Happy Australia Day everyone and congratulations to everyone who became Australian today !! What a damn good choice :-)

Last but not least.... a very happy birthday to Charlie Camphin today too !! :-)

Water Temperature 24.0
Air Temperature 21.5
Sunrise 6.10am
Sunset 8.05pm
High Tide: 11.11am
Low Tide: 5.37pm

25/01/2012 - Grey Skies, Blue Water

2012-01-25T10:57:16+11:00

Over 80 Bold & Beautiful swimmers.

Can someone please tell us where summer is ??? Blue skies where are you ???

13 swimmers enjoyed a bumpy Bolderdash, the sunrise is getting pretty late now, so there will probably only be a couple of weeks of Bolderdash left. So if you're keen to give one ago, please jump in soon.

Gaetan took this amazing photo of a crab this morning !! Have a wonderful holiday Gaetan, we'll miss you and your photos, so please send us some on tour.

This morning's swim was indeed a little bumpy but, really it doesn't get any warmer than this: 24.5 degrees !!! Magic :-)

The water is still quite clear at the moment too and this morning we were joined by a frantic ball of catfish...

Australia Day is tomorrow... this is traditionally a massive 7am swim for B&B starting with Advance Australia Fair on the beach before we head off on our very relaxed swim. So please don your Australian flag tattoo or some green and gold zinc, bring down your friends and family too, but please swim with them as remember we don't have water safety.

Anyone and everyone who would like to join in on craft is hugely appreciated !!!

It would be fantastic if the regular swimmers would swim slowly, head up, hang near the back and take it all in, helping to ensure everyone has a great morning together.

Please plan to arrive early as parking may be a premium. There are plenty of council parking stations around, to see where they are click here.

Manly Wine are putting on a special breakfast for us: $10 for an egg & bacon roll or muesli with tea or coffee (FW or LB) to ensure everyone gets served quickly. If you haven't yet confirmed please do so here asap so we can let them know numbers, thank you.

Balgowlah Lions club are also having a sausage sizzle opposite the far West Children's hospital. So feel free to swing past and support them too.

Jenny Knapman and I will be rushing straight off to Manly Council for the Australia Day Awards Ceremony, as thanks to Jenny, Deb, Ian M, Anna and others for their very kind nomination I will be the very proud recipient of a Manly Australia Day Award. Thank you !!!!

So if any of you would like to follow down to Manly Council after the swim to be part of the ceremony, of course we would love to see you there :-)

Water Temperature 24.5
Air Temperature 19.5
Sunrise 6.09am
Sunset 8.05pm
High Tide: 10.32am
Low Tide: 5.02pm