Each year 4000 people dive into a sea of history and swim the 1.2 kilometre course of the Lorne Pier to Pub. Over the past 20 years the event has grown in size and statue and now claims centre stage of a three day program that includes the Mountain to Surf Fun Run and the Surf Boat Race Classic.

The race adopted a more formal outlook in 1981, when around 100 people took to the water. It stepped up its prestige in 1998, with 3071 swimmers diving into the Guinness Book of Records, as part of the world’s largest open water swim. Thanks to the unwavering efforts of organisers and volunteers, entries reached 3900 in 2000, and have been capped at 4000 every year since.

The event has attracted the likes of elite athletes, such as Kieran Perkins, Daniel Kowalski, Michael Klim, Rob Woodhouse, Stacey Gartrell, Nicole Stevenson, Daniel McLellan, Hamish Cameron, John Fox and the members of the Oarsome Foursome. Many celebrities, AFL footballers and politicians have also tried their luck.

record time of 11.02 minutes in 2001.

(source: http://lornesurfclub.com.au)