June 27 brought with it excitement and delight as we embarked on our fourth annual Winter Pier to Pub. Twenty swimmers and eight supporters trekked to Lorne; greeted by blue skies and translucent waters.

While scenically spectacular, the waters were frosty at 13 degrees, requiring us to rug up in wetsuits and neoprene caps. A notable exception to this, Anthony Ferguson, was brave (or perhaps just mad) enough to undertake the 1.2km course in bathers alone. With a staggered start we swam in pairs, edging our way, two Belugas at a time through the tumbling surf.

As we turned the point – the pier behind us, the pub in front – the circling swell assembled some spectacularly high waves to carry us to shore. Finishing the course together there we were a pod of Belugas porposing in the sun flecked waves.

After recovering from varying degrees of hypothermia we celebrated our success over lunch and wine at Qdos Arts.

The vibrant gallery provided the ideal venue to reflect not only on the swim but also our wonderful diversity as a collective; we are united by a shared love of swimming, but each member of our club brings a unique piece of the puzzle which together unites to form an eclectic jigsaw.

Thanks must go to Anthony Ferguson for generously sponsoring our Winter Pier to Pub T-shirts, to Vito Muré for his wonderful design and to our coach Kerry for coming to support us (in addition to her continued encouragement and guidance). We’re already looking forward to next year’s swim, when the inimitable Tim Walker will lead us into the water to rapturous applause!

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