Almanac Swimming: Lorne Pier to Pub 2025 – Number 26!

 

 

 

 

Pier to Pub 2025

 

Day before the event

 

Tomorrow is the 45th annual Lorne Pier to Pub ocean swim – and my 26th.

 

As in previous years, I am always a little nervous and apprehensive in the lead-up to the event. Another year older – 74yo, means  graduating to  the 80yo+ age group is creeping nearer! The body is not quite what it once was. 

 

The terrible memory of the death of a former swimming and teaching colleague from Colac during the swim a few years ago is at the back of my mind and still haunts me. You can never erase something like that from your memory.

 

I worry whether I have done enough training, am I fit enough, and of course the conditions on the day are always a major factor to be considered. Easterlies have been prevailing for a number of days and this usually means lots of churned up seaweed and kelp to cloud  the water conditions – not good, I like to see what is below me as I swim!

 

While in New Orleans earlier this year I caught Covid and was laid low with it for some time after my return, even now, after nearly nine months of recovering, I still do not feel one hundred percent recovered from it. Still some lethargy and tiredness.

 

To make matters worse I twinged my right shoulder / upper arm during strengthening exercises a few weeks ago which is still nagging me as I stroke with my right arm.

 

However, no excuses; I’m fit enough, and confident enough, to complete the swim with little difficulty, I just need to remain calm and in a positive frame of mind.

 

Pack my swimming kit; food and drinks (nuts, snakes, and energy drink for sugar and energy hits), and place my backpack by the front door.

 

 

Day of the event

 

Restless night, hardly slept a wink and was wide awake at 4am. I decided I would leave for Lorne by 5.30am or so.

 

A good, filling breakfast of yoghurt and roasted muesli with stewed nectarines, and strawberries, and a coffee set me up for the day.

 

Soothing sounds of classical music from ABC Classic FM on a peaceful drive through the serene and at times misty Otways made for a relaxing trip to Lorne. With the window down  the sensuous fragrance of eucalyptus trees wafted into the car and lifted my spirits.

 

Arriving at the Lorne Foreshore around 6.30am, I found a vacant spot in the main carpark by the beach, changing rooms and cafe. Thankfully I got here when I did as there were very few parks left. Lorne will be very congested in another hour or so as contestants and visitors endeavour to find somewhere to park.

 

 

I walked down to the beach and took some photos. No matter the time of day, or year, or the weather conditions it is always a magical place to be. Today it is overcast, cool, but thankfully there is very little breeze. Considering the time of day I’m surprised by the amount of people and dogs on the beach. I assume it is the time dogs are allowed on the beach and off the leash.

 

A stroll towards the river then back to the surf club before venturing up to the main street. Early risers are looking for their first hit of coffee but surprisingly only one or two coffee shops are operating at this early time of the morning. Customers queued along the street for their coffee. I wondered why other coffee shops were not open to take advantage of the early influx of visitors to the Lorne.

 

Down by the surf club there is a hive of activity as preparations for the day are set in train.

 

I buy a pair of board shorts from the vendor I’d bought my wetsuit from last year. I’m pleased with my purchase. Drop the shorts back to the car, a handful of nuts, a couple of snakes and a  drink then back to line up at the registration marquee to collect my timing device, t/shirt, swimming cap (gold for Heros category 70 – 79yo). My participant number is inscribed on my hand.

 

The weather conditions are improving by the minute. Most noticeably it is much warmer. The beach is filling up with groups claiming their piece of beach for the erection of their cabanas. What an eyesore these cabanas are! You struggle to see the water and  sand from behind, there’s hardly any space between them to move through, belligerently I walked through one to enable myself to get off the beach!

 

I decide to go for a swim and acclimatise myself to the water temperature. Swimming in a pool the water temperature is usually 29 – 30 degrees, and for lap swimmers that’s too hot! Conditions for swimming are very easy; whereas in the ocean, at this time of year, the water temperature is around 18 – 20 degrees. There are currents and tides to contend with as well as the wind, waves and surf. Before an ocean swim I try to swim in the ocean a few times before I am competing but this year that has not been the case.

 

My dip was pleasantly refreshing and invigorating. The surf encouraged me to body surf and I enjoyed myself. There is something special about being in the ocean.

 

Back on the beach it was time to stretch out on my beach towel and dip into a collection of Richard Ford short stories. It also continued to get hotter and more people were trying to find their perfect spot on the beach for themselves and their cabanas. When a group plonked themselves directly in front of me, without asking if I minded, I began to feel violated and fenced in. They completely blocked my view of the surf and surrounding beach, they cocooned me into a tight space – it was time to leave.

 

Back to the car for more nibbles and drink, and some peace and quiet resting up. 

 

Before I knew it it was time to prepare for the swim.

 

Googles, earplugs, swimming cap, timing device, Vaseline, wetsuit, and a plastic bag were all ticked off in preparation.

 

You may be wondering about the need for a plastic bag but it is part of a process  to assist you into your wetsuit. By placing a foot into the plastic bag you then proceed to slide your leg into the appropriate wetsuit leg makes the process much easier.  You do the same with your other leg, and then your arms. It can be bloody difficult getting into a wetsuit!

 

I bought this wetsuit for last year’s swim as my sleeveless suit had become too tight and had reached the end of its lifespan after twenty plus years of ocean swims. This suit has sleeves and gives me more confidence as my arms no longer feel cold during a swim.

 

With difficulty I struggled to pull my wetty up to my waist, I rub Vasline around my neck and under my arms to alleviate any abrasive rubbing issues aggravated by sandy, salty seawater. Checked I have everything needed for the swim, I commence my trek to the pier from the carpark.

 

I allow myself half an hour for the slow walk to the pier, I note it is much hotter and I begin to swelter in my wetsuit even though it is only pulled up to my waist at this stage. My feet struggle with the hot sand, sharp edges of rocks, sticks and other delights tender feet are not used to treading on.

 

Reaching the assembly point at the end of the pier I recognise many faces from past swims but surprisingly, not many  I actually know as I was expecting. However, I did bump into ex Colac teacher and long time ocean swimmer Denise H and chatted with her. 

 

My wetsuit fully zipped up with the help of Denise and a couple other swimmers – and what an effort it was!  (I’m thinking I should have bought the next size up!).

 

Half an hour until my wave is scheduled to swim so I take the opportunity, like everyone else, for a quick dip to cool down after the walk, to loosen up the shoulders and legs  with a quick swim to the end of the pier and return, make any necessary adjustments to my goggles, and to become acclimatised to the water temperature. Not as cold as previous years, and I’m happy about that.

 

I join the throng for my swimming wave at 13:35 (Heros 70 – 79yo, and also Legends 80+). We chat amiably, wish each other well, then commence the slow march down the ramp and the  swim out to the starting line stretched between two buoys. After some instructions from the announcer we await the starting gun.

 

The starting gun explodes, a rush of arms and legs madly flailing as swimmers churn through the swirling water in an endeavour to gain an advantage and to clear the chaos of the start. 

 

I start midway along the starting line with the intention of lining up my direction of swim with a white flagpole on a building halfway up the hill that I’ve always used in previous swims, but lo and behold, I could not sight the flagpole, either it is no longer there or else I was looking in the wrong place! 

 

After a brief moment of panic I decide to pace myself with swimmers to the right of me. I breathe to the right while swimming. Maintaining a straight swimming line in the ocean is one of the hardest things to do. Pacing someone you hope they are holding a straight line. Some swimmers cross in front of me from the left and right, even over the top me. My concern is my goggles being knocked off by a wayward foot or arm. Without pausing I lift my head to determine my position but all I see is water. Small choppy waves make it difficult for a direct line of sight to the shore, at least for me it does. Treading water for a moment I recognise I am too far to the right-hand side of the course, if I continue that line I will end up at the mouth of Erskine River! Wasted energy and wasted time! 

 

I manage to establish a rhythm but not the one I planned on. Initially I wanted to take a breath every four strokes but after a couple hundred metres or so I realised I needed a breath for every stroke as my body craved more oxygen. This demands the extra use of energy causing energy levels to drop as you tire more quickly.

 

Reaching the Point I knew I was around the half way mark by the sudden rush of the ebbing tide pushing up against me. I urge myself  to kick harder, and to stroke more powerfully through the water even though it is energy sapping. This is also the closet part of the swim to the shoreline.

 

Plodding on I feel the build up of waves and I hope against hope I can catch one into shore but I don’t, and I never have in any of my swims. With  the amount of time I have spent body surfing I should not have any problems catching a wave – but I do!

 

Cramp is creeping in my calf and thigh of my left leg and I worry a full cramp will come on. Trying to wriggle your toes while swimming is difficult and I try not to think about cramp.

 

A swimmer in a pink cap passes me – one of the 80 yo plus contestants! My pride and confidence take a hit. 

 

Looking up I see the Surf Club and finishing line about 50 metres or so ahead of me. The water is full of churned up seaweed  and I can’t see the bottom. Attempting to stand I realise I’m still too deep as the tide pushes me backwards. Head down, bum up, I put in an extra effort for about 20 or 3o metres. I notice swimmers standing and running – perhaps jogging is a better word to use, but for me it’s a slow stroll to the finish line.

 

Exhausted, I’m unzipped by a lifesaver, my timing device unstrapped from my ankle and handed over, and I stagger up the race to a welcoming drink.

 

My whole body is aching, the swim was much harder than I expected but I’m  pleased with my effort.

 

A long walk back to the car, an enormous struggle removing my wetsuit, off for a cold shower then on the road to home.

 

I completed the course in 24:01mins and came 90/160 in my category, not too bad for a 74yo. I was hoping to finish in the top 25% but that will have to wait and will be my goal for next year. 

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

 

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About Colin Ritchie

Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.

Comments

  1. Brilliant effort Col.

  2. Well done Col. You sure can swim. Great time.
    I did my 2nd one on Saturday and finished in 30min 40seconds. That translated to 396 of 419. Haha.
    On a brighter note, I played at Apollo Bay Golf Course the next day. Epic ocean views. No need to go to Scotland after that.

  3. Huge respect Col. You put me inside the mind and body of a swimmer. Ageing sucks – but we must all rage against the dying of the light.
    Pards – keep working on your swimming as well as your golf. That way you can retrieve all those balls that us mortals put in the drink.

  4. Luke Reynolds says

    Great effort and an awesome read Col, well done!

  5. Great stuff Col admire your effort,persistence and long gevity you took us along for the side brilliantly as well

  6. ride grrr

  7. A super performance, Col.

    Well played, indeed.

  8. Karl Dubravs Karl Dubravs says

    That was a terrific retrospective Col. I could feel your every anxiety, worry, ache, cabana view blocking frustration, hot sand, cool water, gentle breeze, discombobulaltion, panic and (I assume) pleased relief at the finish line. You ‘did it’ – high five, well done!

  9. Mark 'Swish' Schwerdt says

    You’re a ripper Col.

  10. Damian Balassone says

    Brilliant Col, just brilliant.

  11. Mighty effort Col.

    Congratulations

  12. Matt Gately says

    That’s a great tip, that plastic bag trick. Wish I’d known back in the day; woulda saved many a tourist innocently wending their way along on Great Ocean Road from unsolicited views of wriggling arse cheeks. Not that it would have made a difference apres surf. Unpeeling a cold and wet wetty is another story altogether.

  13. Judi Booth says

    Well done Col! So proud of you! ??????

  14. Well done, Colin. Really good time.
    But you’re a sook about the water temp… it’s as warm as it gets. I swim the course most days and in winter I can’t shave in the shower because my fingers are numb and I can’t feel stubble from the deforested face.
    One of the blokes we swim with in Lorne, Peter Morgan, is 80 and did it in 20.35!! He won the 80 plus category. I beat him by 22 seconds… at the age of 63. (Beach sprint helped.) He once swam against Murray Rose.
    Do you know Wes McNamara and Paul Miller? Both Colac boys and both fine ocean swimmers.
    Water has been flowing out strongly from the pub to the pier all week. On the Wednesday before race day we swam out to the pier and back. A bloke we swim with is a stroke counter (semi-nutty) and it was 1000 strokes out and 1900 back. Almost twice as far, and the biggest disparity I can recall. But conditions on Saturday were pretty good.
    Main victory for me on the day was beating the wife. So peace can prevail in our house in 2025. That said, she was swimming without a wetsuit.
    You should try swimming there without the madding, maddening crowd. It’s a much better experience.
    cheers, ajc.

  15. Russel Hansen says

    congratulations, Col

    what a wonderful achievement! inspiring!

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