Liz Jensen of Kay & Burton said the Pier to Perignon swimming event, held between Sorrento and Portsea, is a great day with the community.
The annual Pier to Pérignon (P2P) swim held on February 16 lived up to its reputation of once again being a lot of fun and an example of health and wellbeing, according to Liz Jensen, Director of Kay & Burton - Portsea and Sorrento, and the major sponsor for the event.
"It was simply the best day," said Ms Jensen.
"The camaraderie, the competition and everyone enjoying themselves was all there.
"It is usually one of my busiest days in the year, but I have trained my clients to be aware of when the swim is on."
Liz Jensen, Director - Kay & Burton Portsea and Sorrento at the Pier to Perignon event. Photo: Kay & Burton
The event has been running since 1989, when its ‘Humble Founders’ Ted Baillieu and Robbie Robertson had a friendly wager over a swim of 4km from Sorrento to Portsea.
The prize was a bottle of Dom Pérignon for the winner.
The event has grown from this spirited challenge between two friends, to an annual fundraising event that saw 900 entrants in the race this year.
"I was told there was a metre swell out there and competitors were taking in mouthfuls of sea-water," said Ms Jensen.
"Meanwhile, one of my clients was swimming and noticed a house that he liked and was thinking 'Oh, Liz will know who owns that'."
The Portsea Surf Life Saving Club (PSLSC) is the proud custodian of the swim, and P2P Manager Craig Evans said the club looks forward to the swim every year.
All the action of the Pier to Perignon event. Photo: Kay & Burton
“We have worked very hard to retain the soul of the swim, never forgetting its history," said Mr Evans.
"The event is entirely run by Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club volunteers and all proceeds go towards the running and growth of the club.
“PSLSC has recently completed renovations to its club house, which we’re thrilled with. Fundraising has been integral to this project and P2P registrations certainly contribute to these improvements which benefit the community.
“The fact the event sold out online within 30 minutes is testament to the popularity of the swim and its deep community connection.”
Managing the event is quite an undertaking, with the safety of the swimmers paramount.
To ensure the well-being of competitors, 10 inflatable rescue boats (including one from Dromana SLSC), 15 rescue boards, 10 stand up paddle boards/surf skis, two jet skis, one Southern Peninsula rescue boat and one repeater boat were deployed.
As well as water safety, competitors were offered complimentary People 4 Ocean sunscreen and a skin check by Dr. Tony Dicker, who has been practising in skin cancer medicine for the past nine years.
Ms Jensen said that it is because of this community spirit that she agreed to contribute to the event back in 1997 when P2P was still in its infancy.
Now the major sponsor, the Kay & Burton team were busy fulfilling registrations on the day and spurring competitors on at the finish line.
"I've been asked often to enter the race, but I am a mooring to mooring swimmer, rather than pier to pier," Ms Jensen said.
"I am not fast enough in the water, you'd still be waiting for me to finish the race."
Top 20 finishers
1. 742 Sam SHEPPARD (South Melbourne) Male (1) 0:31:48
2. 825 Lucas TUCKER (Beaumaris) Male (2) 0:34:06
3. 222 Josh DOHERTY (Flinders) Male (3) 0:34:08
4. 785 Mark STONE (Ocean Grove) Male (4) 0:34:10
5. 501 Chris LUTZ (Armadale) Male (5) 0:36:44
6. 256 Rohan FANNING (Melbourne) Male (6) 0:36:45
7. 184 Hugh DARVALL (Mt Eliza) Male (7) 0:37:01
8. 702 Justin RODDA (Point Lonsdale) Male (8) 0:37:13
9. 778 Andrew STEER (Ivanhoe East) Male (9) 0:37:15
10. 652 Zachary PEARSON (St Kilda East) Male (10) 0:37:16
11. 213 Ingilby DICKSON (Elwood) Male (11) 0:37:16
12. 104 Joseph BUTLER (Hawthorn) Male (12) 0:37:22
13. 44 Jack DINKIE Male (13) 0:37:33
14. 277 Craig FOSTER (Blairgaowrie) Male (14) 0:37:52
15. 676 James QUINERT (Brighton) Male (15) 0:37:58
16. 188 James DAVEY (Beaumaris) Male (16) 0:38:01
17. 892 Lachie WILSON (Hawthorn) Male (17) 0:38:13
18. 148 Alan COLLETT (Highton) Male (18) 0:38:17
19. 486 Julian LIM (Northcote) Male (19) 0:38:20
20. 281 Rebecca FOXTON (Ivanhoe) Female (1) 0:38:20
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