When six-time Pier to Pub winner Naantaali Marshall gets into the water today, she’s not expecting a personal best race time or event to be competitive.
The renowned Iron Woman would ordinarily be lining up for the Superfish category in what’s described as the worlds biggest open water race, but she recently broke her hand in a body surfing accident.
But that’s not stopping her from tackling the 1.2km swim, along with her husband and 14-year-old daughter.
“The fact that I’m still going to try and swim it with one arm just shows what a big event it is on the calendar,” she said.
“Not just for me but for any open water swimming enthusiast.”
Marshall says the annual event that’s now in its 44th year attracts a crowd of thousands to watch hundreds of swimmers from all ages and all abilities make the journey from the Lorne pier to the beach in front of the Lorne Hotel.
“It’s a really good day to come down and have a look even if you’re not swimming,” she said.
“I’m pretty sure most people in Victoria would know someone else swimming….Lorne is just such a beautiful place.”
Another repeat entrant is former premier Ted Bailieu, who’s only missed one Pier to Pub since 1989.
“The club (Lorne Surf Life Saving) do a mighty job, and you put it all together with a wonderful tradition, it becomes a metrics of people,” he told Nine.
“You know, I do it every year because that’s a benchmark, am I fit, am I looking after myself.”
