Mark’s road to 40 at iconic Pier to Pub

TORQUAY resident Mark Brandimarti will join elite company when he completes four decades’ worth of Pier to Pub swims on January 13.

Mr Brandimarti, who grew up in Geelong as a child and holidayed in Lorne, will become a rare quadruple Shark Bait club member, conducting his 40th consecutive Pier to Pub in a row next month.

“There’s certainly an element of pride that will be there at the upcoming Pier to Pub,” Mr Brandimarti said.

“I’ve missed a wedding, missed surf trips, conducted a rescue, my family has done this event several times, it’s definitely a special day on the calendar, but I’m excited to get back in the water again soon.

“A massive thanks to my wife Carolyn, who pushes me to get in the water each year, but yeah this year will definitely mean a lot once I cross the line.

“To be honest, I’m just happy I’m healthy enough to keep doing it.”

Now at 55 years of age, Mr Brandimarti said he remembers quite vividly his first Pier to Pub swim at the age of 15 in 1983.

“My great-great-grandfather had actually built a house in Lorne, so we had a house in Lorne that was passed down the generations; it was a place my family, aunties, and cousins could all kind of hang out.

“So I was lucky in that respect and mum would tell me about the Pier to Pub event, but I was too busy racing BMX bikes.

“Once I stopped on the BMX, mum gave me five dollars to go and register for my first Pier to Pub and the rest was history.

“I wasn’t a swimmer or anything, but I loved the ocean, I still surf now in Torquay, but that is where my commitment to Pier to Pub began and it’s just an awesome event to be a part of.”

The Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club’s Pier to Pub race was once an intimate affair, but Brandimarti has witnessed first-hand the event’s growth into the mega-event it is today.

“It used to be quite informal when I started doing the Pier to Pub. I think they’re expecting like 7,000 people for this year’s race, but it’s just so well-organised.

“The club’s organisation from parking to marshalling swimmers on the pier is such a well-oiled machine.

“I’m noticing a lot more young people taking part in the event as well, which is also great to see.”

Registrations remain open for the Pier to Pub with prices set for the Mountain to Surf event at $65 for adults and $55 for junior participants, and Pier to Pub tickets priced at $80 for all swimmers.

Head to lornesurfclub.com.au for more information on the Pier to Pub.