A word from the Chairman – January 18, 2018

The Pier to Pub swim is such an iconic event and every year it continues to build with excitement and carries an aura like no other open water ocean swim, and this year was no different. In fact to the contrary, in what was arguably one of the most hotly contested and highly ranked fields in its 38-year history and a boilover was the furthest thing from anyone’s mind – but the unthinkable happened.

With two Olympic Gold medallists, Australia’s Mac Horton and Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri, plus seven-time winner Sam Sheppard, you could be excused for holding the strong belief that the 2018 winner would come from one of these three. In the women’s event, six-time winner Harriet Brown appeared assured on drawing level with the incredible 7 wins by Sam Sheppard.

But everything didn’t go to plan for those so heavily favoured and with 5,300 entrants representing eleven countries around the world, including 43 permanent residents of Lorne, the world’s biggest open water swim on the most picturesque open water circuit delivered two major surprises. It was to be the swimmers of the next generation that were steal the show. In the Men’s Superfish Hayden Cotter was first to cross the line and 15-year-old Lani Pallister was the first female to greet the judge – a super effort by both.

But it wasn’t just the effort of the winners that was inspiring, it was that for everyone that successfully navigated the 1.2km to complete the swim, whether it was for the 30th time or the first, it was a mighty achievement on a day. It is also a great day for the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club that stage this event so well every year. Whether it be their youngest Nipper members that spend the day volunteering their time or seasoned active and non-active members voluntarily providing the professional skills required to conduct an event of such international recognition, our local club can be so mighty proud.

To stand and listen to president Peter Murrihy welcome a VIP guest list that read like a who’s who of the federal and state Parliament and other very special guests, was a strong reminder of the depth and breath to where this event sits. But with all the big welcomes came one very special to the fabric of our community. When one could be distracted from acknowledging grass roots support it was wasn’t going to happen in Lorne.

The surf club president went out of his way to acknowledge the new commodore of the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club, Keith Miller, who along with his members, are such an integral part at the start of the world-famous course, and who stage the legendary after swim celebrations that rock the Lorne Pier precinct – well done, Lorne!

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne