Berwick’s Scott Prosser enjoyed a successful return to the Lorne Pier to Pub on the weekend. 58728
By Gavin Staindl
FOR a guy who had no intention of drinking, Berwick’s Scott Prosser was in a mighty hurry to get to the pub.
Prosser joined thousands of other swimmers last Saturday in a dash from Lorne’s Pier to Pub and in a time of 13:03min he became the eighth fastest male to reach the well-known drinking hole.
Finishing eighth was certainly a surprise to the 29-year-old who, despite winning the 1.2 kilometre event in 2005, hadn’t raced competitively for two years.
“Ever since my first boy was born (2007) I have been doing more low-key swim events and I didn’t race in the Pier to Pub last year so I didn’t know what to expect this time,” Prosser said.
“The tide was right up which makes the swim harder but I was thinking I would just be happy for a top 10,” he said.
The Lorne Pier to Pub began as an informal challenge between Lorne lifeguards and ever since 1981 where 100 people took on the challenge it has grown in popularity.
The race now draws over 4000 people each year (which briefly became a Guinness world record in 2003) and has turned into an iconic part of the Victorian summer.
Racing against well-known names including Geelong Cats captain Cameron Ling and the Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu, Prosser managed to make his way to the front and in a time of 13:03 he fell only 21 seconds behind eventual winner and back-to-back champion, Sam Sheppard.
Since his maiden trip across Louttit Bay in 1996, 2001 became the 11th time Prosser had raced in the annual event and he said after last Saturday’s effort that it gets better every year.
“I first swam in the Pier to Pub when I was 13 or 14 … and the race is always getting bigger and better,” he said.
As for when Prosser will make another appearance in the popular race is anybody’s guess.
“I would like to do it again, but I’m just going to take it as it comes … I have two boys now so my family comes first.”
