Out Of Our Way, We're Off To The Pub, Say 4300 Swimmers

The Sunday Age

Sunday January 11, 2009

Cameron Houston

MORE than 4300 swimmers led by dual Olympian Daniel Kowalski churned through the calm waters off Lorne yesterday in the 29th Pier to Pub, a race Guinness World Records recognises as the biggest open-water swimming event.

The coastal town's permanent population of about 1000 swells to more than 25,000 over the weekend, with foreshore cafes and restaurants heaving, and thirsty patrons forming a scrum at the bar of the Lorne Hotel.

Thousands of spectators scrambled for a vantage point to watch competitors aged from eight to 85 make the 1.2kilometre trip around Louttit Bay to Lorne's main beach. Hawthorn swimmer Nick Cordner won the male superfish event in 12 minutes, 10 seconds, ahead of Lorne local Tristan Read who clocked 12.29, while Harriet Brown of Newtown, in Geelong, won the female superfish race in 13.06.

A 57-year-old swimmer was dragged from the surf unconscious. The man was revived by lifeguards before being taken to Geelong Hospital in a critical condition.

The swim attracted a host of celebrities, including Olympic rowing gold medallist James Tomkins and world triathlon champion Emma Carney, while a swag of AFL players incorporated the race into their pre-season campaigns. State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu again spurned a wetsuit for Speedos and was joined in the ocean by political rival Peter Batchelor.

More than 140 hardy campaigners joined the illustrious Shark Bait Club of swimmers who have taken part on 10 occasions, while 20 swimmers completed their 20th swim.

Race director Mark Williamson hailed the 29th Pier to Pub a "marvellous success".

"This is the surf club's major fund-raiser and helps us to provide surf lifesavers on the beach for the entire year," Mr Williamson said.

"Without it, that probably wouldn't be possible."

The swim began in the late 1970s, when a handful of Lorne locals dared each other to dive from the historic pier and race to the shore before rehydrating in the pub's beer garden.

The event has gained extraordinary momentum over almost three decades, with potential competitors now having to enter a ballot and many of them missing out.

© 2009 The Sunday Age

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