Hi all. Zig-zagging Zedder Zab here with the second last of my blogs. Another one next week and then its someone else’s turn to share about their B&B experience. (Thank goodness, I have so many positives to say about our daily dash that my blogs seem to get longer each week - sorry. Mark Twain once famously wrote 'forgive the long letter I didnt have time to write a shorter one'). Today the water was a balmy 21.1 degrees and our swim was enjoyed by 250 swimmers who encountered a pale blue hazy sky, very small swell and virtually no currents, rips or undertow, with good clarity and none of those pesky blue bastards. Todays tally included 20 newbies. You can see that in today's conditons few of us took the half-way option. Its not always like that as the pics a bit lower show.
When I packed my bag to come down this morning I had a banana. It became one of life's little mysteries today - what happened to that banana?.
In this week's blog your Team Omega correspondent from the back of the pack is pondering a few things about The Point and sharing my realisation that Life is Swell.
I have written before that some might wonder about the point of our swim ie whats the point of going back and forth across the same little stretch of water again and again and again, day in, day out, ad infinitum, ad nauseum – isnt that boring? Answer: well, in a word…..NO. The exact opposite really. A quick perusal of our blogs shows that we: see lots of amazing things especially magnificent sea life and jawdropping sunrises; meet lots of incredible people; encounter all kinds of conditions; have a wide variety of experiences; receive a plethora of different benefits and have a helluva lot of fun, happiness and health as a result . So nope, not boring at all. Far from it. Amongst us there are lots of different reasons for why we swim and which benefits are important to us. I have had many people tell me some of the following reasons they swim: general health; social; family; general fitness, specific health reasons, triathlon training, mental health etc etc. Yes mental health too because, like any cross section of the population some people in our mob have mental health issues, just like some of our mob are foreigners, gorgeous, obese, pregnant, young, elite athletes, struggling to complete, rich, stick thin, old, diabetic, beating cancer, falling in love, divorcing, grieving etc etc. Our differences are as multitude as our large numbers. Here the first of the many 7 am-ers this morning head in for their swim
One of the things I love about our group is that none of that diversity matters. In the water and before and after the swim, in our cossies or trackies, having brekky or coffee, we are all equal. There are so few prejudices and predetermined assumptions at the B&B and we are accepted for who we are without added qualifications.
So, there is most definitely a point to our regular aquatic crossings of Cabbage Tree Bay.
The next thing I wonder about the point is – Where exactly is The Point? The instructions are to go out at 7.00am and wait at The Point until our Sar-major gives the “Let’s Go” call. But a stream of people seem to be heading down the ramp from 6.45 – 7.15. Some don’t even start undressing until the 7.00 call. Then the coming together of the group at The Point is a stream of Pink Caps extending from the tables at B&B Central to those bobbing in the water half way across CTB to Shelly. I am told that when doing 'a double' The Point is the spot from which you can see the writing on the Surf Club building. Well those people treading water waiting for the Lets Go nearly 1km further towards Shelly from there certainly must have interesting eyesight abilities – perhaps something like Superman's X-ray vision that can see through rocks etc?
The calm conditions today made the swim into and from Shelly easier than it often is. Its a great feeling to be on shore seeing our group powering towards the shore at Shelly and then back for Manly.
I don’t know exactly where The Point is on the swim but I use the lime green limboing ladies as my bookends. By the time I see them on the way out I am always swimming having finally managed to get my flippers on and through the surf. Something really weird happens every time I swim. At some point on my return swim, between Shelly and the limbo gals, I pass The Point of No Recall. I am not sure if its at THE Point but it happens every swim. All that stuff that kept me up and worrying the night before or anxious in the daytime etc just shrinks in importance. Tuesday’s blog about the meditative benefits of our swim was a ripper so if you haven’t already then check it out. Very Zen of me isn’t it? well I am the zig-zagging Zedder so I like a few ZZZZZ’s. Here a few of my Team Omega fellow zedders show their best zen meditative poses at Shelly this morning.
Swell, its an interesting word. Prima Facie when I thought of it I used to hear a heavily painted ‘broad’ with a New York accent in a conversation with Humphrey Bogart or the like in a Hollywood Golden Oldie. “Listen sweed’art its all gonna be swell, ok”. Probably the equivalent of an Aussie “she’ll be right” or “no worries”. My next thought might have been for the inflammation that surrounds a wound or bad knock. Then maybe of a dapper chap displaying his sartorial elegance.
Of course these days, now that I am a Pink Capper, swell is all about ocean conditions. When The Gun first encouraged me to think about trying all of this out I started with a short swim from Shelly to halfway. I had never been an ocean swimmer and harboured a deep fear of the ocean that comes from a landlocked childhood and many terrifying experiences when infrequent trips to the coast invariably meant swallowing saltwater and vomiting, stinging eyes and being dumped or carried out of my depth by the waves - each of which felt like a brush with death.
It was when I grew to managing 500m non-stop in the pool that The Gun suggested I should try a one-way swim from Shelly to the stairs and gave me some valuable tips, one of which was to stay reasonably close to the rocks so I would feel less scared and could stop and get out if need be. So I gave it a go. I was over the moon when I achieved it and especially because of the glorious sights of all the marine plants and fish. Two days later I thought I would try it again. I headed out from Shelly just the same but within a short distance realised I was out of my comfort zone and felt very vulnerable out there alone so I decided to turn back. Suddenly I found myself tossed around as if inside a washing machine. The waves, which were much bigger than on the previous attempt, were hitting me from the left and bouncing off the rocks & wall and hitting me from the right as well. Similar to the pics a bit lower.
It was so frightening and I fought hard to get back to Shelly. I was a few feet from shore and in about 1 foot of water (that’s about 30cm for you young ones!) but couldn’t get back to shore! Though only knee deep I couldn’t stand up as the force of the water was so strong. I was trying to cling to the flat rocks near the ramp at Shelly and having difficulty doing so.
Yep these rocks RIGHT at shore!!!
I was being scraped left then right as the waves came in and ricocheted off the wall, I scraped both thighs to shreds and still, though in only 1 foot of water, I literally could not stand up! Each time I tried the current started pulling my feet from under me. I eventually staggered out in considerable pain from scrapes and lots of bangs and bruises and terrified to my core.
When I regaled this to The Gun later he asked with surprise why on earth I had gone in on a day like that. Hadn’t I realised it was a huge swell?, didn’t I notice the conditions as I walked around to Shelly and went in? and in any event when its conditions like that you don’t hug the rocks, on the contrary, you swim out in the middle so the backwash doesn’t get you. Now he tells me! I thought. It was a day when the sea had been dramatically dangerous and had been forecast to be. Rock anglers had been swept offshore and conditions life threatening. And silly, naïve, poor-swimmer, wannabe Pink Capper me had gone swimming and, what’s more, alone!!! As to all my scrapes, bruises and missing skin? I was gearing up for a pretty good ‘poor me’ pity-party sook-fest when The Gun stopped me in my tracks. “Ah, ‘war wounds’, he emailed me. Be proud of them. Shows you aren’t leading a boring unadventurous sedentary life. Get back in the water as soon as you can – it will help them heal”. So even though I had trouble sleeping at night because I couldn’t sleep on either side because of my shredded thighs I decided to follow his advice which has always been good.
OK I thought to myself I had better learn about the sea so I started to read up and ask people about tides and waves, currents, rips, winds and wind directions and swells.
Swells are series of mechanical waves that are generated not by local wind conditions but by distant weather systems (eg massive storms at sea or far across the world) which result in wind blowing for a duration of time over a stretch of water. DR G informs that the great majority of large breakers one observes on a beach result from distant weather systems over a fetch (ie distance) of ocean. Whereas currents are caused by localised conditions like winds and temperatures etc.
Armed with this information and a few more practice runs and now knowing a little more about what to look for, I came down and joined the Pink Caps. Its much safer to swim with the B&B because there are so many of them who have a really good knowledge of the sea and what to do. If its precarious, or even might be, some will take the half way option and I am more than happy to follow. As the safety tips at the bottom of the blog say there are no prizes for brave stupidity. I learnt the lesson about swimming within ones skills after taking in to account the conditions and it was a life-threatening and bone-chillingly scary lesson. Even very strong swimmers like John Bond will take the half way options at times because he is very concerned for the group and leads by example. If its good enough for the #1 swimmer in our squad there is no shame in taking the safer option. On very big swell days many of us take the half way option. Swimming within your personal comfort and skill levels is a must in the ocean. Having said that I found that within the group its incredible how quickly ones skill levels rise. From the pics below you can see that we have faced some big swell days and few are fazed by these large swells and Lindall and Claudia clearly think its all great fun.
Another important lesson came one day a few months later when I had fought my way out through the big waves coming in off a mighty swell. By the time I got out to The Point I was spent. I had been frightened and out of my comfort zone and it was cold. I felt as if there was zero energy in my arms and legs and I would just sink and assumed it was because of the winter cold and the blood flow to extremities decreasing. The Chuckle Meister explained it for me later. I had a huge adrenaline rush (fight or flight) in the fear and fight to get out through the big surf. Then I had the crippling effects of the depletion of all that extra energy, blood flow etc that had been called upon to get me through that mini-crisis. Just ‘stay calm’ advised The CM, tread water and get your breath and then your energy will return and you will be able to get going again. He says it with such a wise, calm, sure tone – and it works. All the savvy heads of the old sea-salts in our group say the same thing. Staying calm, going with conditions, not trying to battle the strength of the sea and its rips, currents and swells is the way to go. If you spend time with the Pink Cappers after the swim these ocean-savvy sea-salts as I call them will pass on techniques and tips for coping in various conditions. I find the generosity of spirit within the B&B in this regard outstanding. Why do these accomplished swimmers give so freely of their time to pass on their wisdom to the newbies? I don’t know but I am glad, impressed and grateful that they do. It’s such a safe, inclusive, caring community. Sadly sometimes a unique phenomenon these days.
That morning after I had battled the big swell, then had it explained by The CM, walking back from the swim I saw a t-shirt in the Corso that said “Life is Swell”. Its true. I bought the shirt.
Life is all about swell. Sometimes the swell is up and we face struggles in life and sometimes there’s not much swell and its smooth sailing. On the very flat days which The Bishop describes as ‘pool like conditions’ the swim is easy. The swells come and go and as a result of conditions completely outside our little swim squad, beach, or even our waters. In fact perhaps from weather on the other side of the world or seismic events from its core. Our opportunity is to improve our capacity to weather the swell or even use it to our advantage by body-surfing back in to the beach for example as Stephen is seen doing here:
Or, if you are going to try and go through Scrappy Scotty's Passage you need to do it on a high tide -not today. Or when there is a big swell. Also not today as Dreamboat found out the hard way.
There is no doubt that all the lessons I have learned in the sea off Manly this year have transferred to my life and made my life better and my days happier. Almost every day I swim I observe the fish being buffeted back and forth by the waves but calmly continuing to proceed in the direction they are headed.
This comes to mind and makes me less reactive to life’s opposition when bumps arise in the natural course of things as impediments to my preferred outcomes. Just keep your focus and go with the flow, I tell myself. Nowadays when the big swells of life affect or hit me and I am scared witless, reacting and fighting my way through them, or figuratively swept close to scary rocks and walls or badly dumped, I eventually find myself able to hear The CM’s calming words about breathing and regaining calm or the many wisdoms of The Gun or the other savvy sea-salts. I definitely find myself navigating life on land much better as a result of my experiences and learnings from the B&B. Yet another superb and unexpected benefit of having donned a Pink Cap.
The reason I have shared here my stories of horror and fear, of my own inadequacies and mistakes is that they were all surmountable and the result for me has been so positive both in lessons learned, fears faced and progress achieved. If you have someone in your life you think would benefit from this fabulous experience invite them down and encourage and support them to do it. You might be giving them one of the best gifts of their life and empowering them to move forward to an even bolder and more beautiful future.
Here are a couple of swell folks from our squad and todays swim and some of the swell things that happened today:
Jill and Jim thought their early Bolderdash was just swell
Have you met Sarah who often comes down with her dog Turbo - who has a face that only a mother/owner could love. I mean seriously – check him out !!! He is a fine specimen of a newly established breed called Australian Bulldog. Poor things ! Did they have to make them that butt ugly? Fortunately Turbo has a lovely nature. Its not about looks, its about personality, isn’t Turbo! Nick still has poor Turbo completely baffled about who actually is a good boy. As well as being a tough B&Ber with abs of steel Sarah is a seriously funny woman and really great company. I think she is just amazeballs! DWSS doesnt look that convinced. Something is worrying him it appears.
Here is Stephen. This guy has a sensational quick wit and sharp mind and delivers the most biting zingers and one-liners. I have seen him sit at the end of a table and quietly roll out amazing quick witted responses to any topic of conversation – very entertaining. He joins others such as The Submarine, Bairdfather, Dolphin Whisperer and Dreamboat as always reliable sources of great repartee. If you enjoy a bit of light hearted banter there is always some to be found at the B&B brekky haunts after the swim. Stephen and Krystyna are long time Pink Cappers and have done lots of international swim adventures, they also have two very adorable doggies called Coco and Baci. Maybe you are wondering - what does the WWW stand for on Stephen’s badge? Wonderful Winter Waterbabies? close – it’s the badge one gets for swimming Winter Without a Wetsuit – now that is a tough mother of a badge to earn but very proudly worn by those hardy folk who achieve it.
Meet Michael, who is the only Pink Capper (other than The Gun who got me started here) who I had ever met before I came down.We met only fleetingly in the West about 3 decades ago when both at uni and then on a professional basis about 2 decades ago in Sydney, again for only about an hour – 2 very brief meetings. Michael lives at Mona Vale and has incorporated the B&B into his daily work commute. He drives down and usually does a couple of yoga or booty camp sessions a week and then a swim before catching the ferry to work. Probably one of the healthiest, most spectacular and fun work commutes on the planet. He isn’t alone in this. The Gun sometimes cycles down, swims then rides in to North Sydney and quite a few others follow equally impressive routines. The Gun never swam the same days as me in my early days and I only recognised Michael’s name and put it together with the face a few weeks ago. So it was a scary solo voyage when I joined - not knowing anyone and not having friends who were up for coming down with me. I shouldn’t have fretted though. I was soon enveloped in the love and camaraderie that is the Pink Caps community.
Today I'm featuring Ian McKnight as my quintessential B&Ber. The first time I met any of the Pink Capped community was when I decided to come along to the Trivia Night. My interest in the swim had been piqued but because of the name I was a bit worried that these would be vacuous ‘beautiful people’ and too many of them wallys or w*nk*rs. So I decided to use the Trivia Night to investigate. To my relief I encountered only genuine, friendly, down-to-earth people. Clearly I didn’t meet everyone that night! ha ha. One of the first people I encountered was Ian McKnight dressed as a Blue Groper!!! I just wasn’t at all sure what to make of it until lots of people turned up in fancy dress. I had never even heard of a blue groper but as the pics of the real ones show Ian did achieve a remarkable resemblance
It soon became obvious to me that Ian and his wife Gayle are core members of the B&B and real winter stalwarts, attending both the swims and Booty Camp through the depths of winter. Over warming breakfasts at Bluewater I got to know them and thoroughly enjoy their company. Their adult boys often join them at the B&B activities too which is great to see. Ian is an absolute hoot on the blog. Especially with his pseudonyms and aliases and frequently changing photo.
He is usually up for most things and very involved and willing to have a go. However as the series of pics below (which are in time order and taken over just seconds) show he just wasn’t at all sure a few weeks ago when I asked him to bust out his best disco moves. In frame 2 his face flooded with even more horror when he realised I really meant it and had the camera trained on him and his whole bench. Fortunately Popette told him a joke from their old Disco Doggy Daddy Dude days and then he was much happier.
Who in Neptunes realm is the Stoner below?
Actually its our own John Bryant who turned up at Sharni's 40th as a rocker and looked like a stoner. In the old days I guess they were one and the same thing. I remember an interview once where someone asked Keith of the Stones a question about earlier days His reply: "that was in the 70's. I dont remember the 70's" !!!!!. From the earliest days of my swimming with our squad John was one who generously shared his sea savvy tips eg how to come back in to the beach through big waves? Catch the back of the wave so you don’t have the full force of it and face getting dumped.
Freddy was so taken with his elevation to photo-bomber/blog tart extraordinaire in last week’s blog that it went to his head and now he thinks he is a human. Whilst most of the dogs hang around under the benches hoping for scraps of breakfast Freddy sits up at the table ready to join the conversation.
Last week Snorkles blogged and regaled us with the exciting first instalment of the story of her swim story. I cant wait to read the rest which is coming up. It turns out that Snorkles, like Lainey Loo and many others, including Mirek, Judy and Laura came to the Pink Caps via their involvement in Can Too. Our best B&B Gringo Buck informs me that there is going to be a CanToo ocean swim right here in our home 'hood on 11 Jan 2015. Details to follow. Here are Lainey Loo and Snorkels in their Can Too cossies.
Miles thought that sounded splendid and extremely worthwhile so thought he might investigate. If you are a Zedder hanging out at the back of the pack this is the only view you will ever see of Miles these days.
No, no, no Miles. That was Can Too, not Toucan,! But hey you do get some accolades because you look swell. Oh and because you were one of the intrepid Channel Swimmers this year who successfully crossed the pond from the UK to France – a mighty feat in spite of the swell you encountered which tried to push you back to Dover.
In other breaking news from the back of the pack….. major multinational corporations are now realising that despite their prominence in the blogs there is much more to the B&B than the A team. It turns out that the A team actually represent less than 1/10 of one percent of the number who have proudly put on a Pink Cap. So the marketers have realised that the other 99.9% are actually quite a big demographic and have turned their minds to targeting them specifically. Of course hearing about Team Omega they have started their efforts there as can be seen from this new product produced by Colgate for our Zedders.
Of the 250 swimmers who hit the waters with the B&B 20 were first timers or ‘newbies’ as we call them. Come back again guys. I am sure you will find it swell. Here is Michael from London who donned a Pink Cap today today. He is from the South London swimming club. They swim in their outdoor pool every week (not every day like us) but it does get down to 1 degree in winter!. Their pool is 99m - hmmm Pommy engineering? no it turns out it was built in 1906 ie under imperial measurement. They are hosting the cold water championships on 24 Jan next year and we are all invited. Thanks Michael ! He came down this morning because someone said to him. Youre a fruitcake swimmer in London. The place for you to go here is Manly to the B&B.
Well good morning Leia, a perfect princess - just like your Stars Wars name sake.
I have had some feedback on my previous blog attempts and am happy to take it on board. Yes its true, I can actually be objective and admit the fault with my blogs ie my bias. There is a bit of a slant towards positive reporting in my blogs. Can I help it? I find the whole B&B experience uplifting, thoroughly enjoyable and replenishing. To be balanced I could admit that I have had a few regrets in the 6 months now I have been doing the morning dash to Shelly and back. I regret …… most of the mornings I have stayed under the covers and not swum!!
As always, after we face down the ocean swells, have showered and are dry and clothed again its time for coffee and sustenance. When the weather is fine the numbers at the benches swell. If you haven’t joined us there before, and have the slightest little hunch you might like to …. Then do it – sitting down at a table of happy people who you just shared an experience with requires much less courage than donning your pink cap and doing the swim. Its one of the things I like the most about our group: in the B&B you can leave your prejudices and anxieties behind. At the benches, or our other regular brekky haunts, you can not only enjoy your brekky and coffee but also find the sustenance of friendship, laughter and good old simple fun. See you there tomorrow and next week, or some other time.
Some pink cappers waiting for the shower thought their swim was swell. Fifi in her boldly striped beautiful cossie is brilliant in the foreground and brilliant most days with her early swims. Just last week she offered to help swim me out through the waves when the swell is too big and daunting. What a legend. Thanks Fifi!
Each week as the weather warms the queues at the showers swell
Some pink cappers at the wall discussed how swell their swim was (oops sorry forgot to get the names)
Some pink cappers at Havana had a swell swim as well: three Jennys and a Sue (or 3 x 7 and a 6.30).
Some pink cappers at Manly Wine (Rob, Jim, and Ian) agreed their swim had been swell
Some pink cappers at Bench (Rob, Dave, Sally, David, Caroline, Alistair, and Craig) said their swim was swell
Some pink cappers (Mark and Matt) who enjoyed the corn fritters at Fusion signalled that their swim was swell
Some pink cappers at Bluewater were unanimous that their swim was swell. Brian, Melissa, Terry ( alias Jeremy) Jackson, Richard, Shane and Derek and Wendy, Melinda, Jenny & Barbara.
The numbers of pink cappers at The Benches continues to swell and nearly all conveyed that their swim was swell and I thought all of that was pretty swell, as well.
Rob was eating a banana - where did that Banana come from Rob?
Then he gave Zen Zedder a board so I couldnt harass him about the banana when he had been that generous. Guru Greg checked out the board too.
Sadly, like all good things there comes a time when its time to go home - just for today. You can come back and do it all again tomorrow and any day after.
Dave and The Bishop take little Hope home from another B&B adventure. Also this week our beloved B&B Bairdfather had a retirement and some of the Pink Cappers attended. Here he is with Dreamboat and the other Bishop ie the one that they dont usually spend their mornings swimming and bantering with.
After all the fun and goodbyes are over it back to the banalities of life isnt it Jane. But only until the next morning thank goodness.
Next week Vanessa ( see here with her best boy Billy) is getting married but still coming down for her swim first so make sure you say hello to the bride!
Next week is Invite Someone to the Benches Saturday. So, you have 7 sleeps to prepare yourself for it. Even if you have never been to the benches apres swim before; be brave – invite someone and come down and join us. Otherwise you are missing half the Pink Caps experience. Also, if you only ever read the blog on your phone do you realise you are missing all the fun of the comments. Why dont you look at the blog on your browser and then you can tell me if your swim this am was swell.
See you next Saturday – at the benches !
ZZZZab reporting from Team Omega at the back of the pack in the 7th of my 8 blogs.
STATS:
Swimmers: 250
Newbies: 20
Water temp:21.1 degrees
Swell today: virtually nil so easy.
Disclaimer/Acknowledgement/Apology:Being an atrocious photographer I'd like to acknowledge that some pics in this blog come from former blogs and therefore to say Thank You to those bloggers and their respective photographers if applicable. I would also like to apologise to those who are getting aggravated by the lateness and length of my blogs. Next week will be shorter and faster and my last one. Phew!
BOTTOM OF THE BLOG:
The B & B Christmas Party is on Tuesday 9th December at 6.30 pm in the Moonshine Bar (2nd Floor) at the Steyne Hotel. All swimmers and partners/friends are welcome. The theme this year is simply "Christmas". So come dressed in your finest Christmas paraphernalia. There is no need to be shy, as we will have the whole bar to ourselves. The Steyne will provide finger food and pizza, with drinks at bar prices. Lots of fun and dancing guaranteed, with music by our own band "The Troubadors", who have generously agreed to perform free of charge for us on the night. The cost is $10 per head, with all proceeds going to the running costs of the B&B. Our charity partner, the Royal Far West Children’s Home, will also be running a monster raffle on the night, so please come prepared to support them. Bookings are essential. Book HERE now! Don’t miss this fun event, numbers are limited.
On sale NOW!!
The B&B Calendar is the perfect item for the ‘hard to buy for’ person in your life. You can pick one up at the swim from Ian (cash only), or online - Click here - with an option to have it posted or collected from Ian.
Summer Swims
It is that time again! 007, or Mr November 2015, has announced the proposed date for the first summer 10K swim challenge is Saturday 13 December 2014. He needs a few volunteers to help as support crew. the 6km swims start next Saturday and run each Saturday in Summer. Watch this space for updates.
Staying safe
Remember that there are no badges for scaring yourself silly! While it is great to extend your boundaries, it is important to know your limits. Do read these excellent tips on staying safe in the surf. To read, or even download, click here.