Ed Curnow prepares for Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf

Former AFL star and Lorne premiership coach Ed Curnow is keeping the competitive juices flowing as he gears up for one of the world’s largest ocean swim races.

Former Carlton star Ed Curnow is set to again swim this year’s Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf. Picture: Brad Fleet.

There’s a bit of a family tradition for the Curnow family to participate in Lorne’s Pier to Pub ocean swim.

Ed Curnow, the retired Carlton AFL star who grew up on the Surf Coast, will again compete in this year’s swim, a day after he tackles the Mountain to Surf fun run.

And it won’t be the first time.

”It’s a weekend as a kid I looked forward to, to compete against my siblings for bragging rights and then to go to the pub and have a drink, have a good time,” he said.

“Now I’m doing it and taking my family, so it will be nice to share it with my young kids, wife Em and my parents.

“I think my dad was part of one of the first ever swims so he has been going to Lorne for a long time and loves what it has to offer.”

Former Carlton star Ed Curnow. Picture: Brad Fleet.

As for the run, Curnow said despite the hills it was an enjoyable event with the forest and bush meeting the ocean.

More than 2000 people will tackle the 8km course on Friday, while approximately 5500 people will compete in Saturday’s 1.2km swim.

Curnow is a much loved figure in Lorne after he coached the Dolphins to a premiership last season after retiring from AFL at the end of 2023.

He said it was amazing to have Lorne host one of the largest ocean swims in the world.

“To have an influx of crowds, people enjoying how beautiful it is it brings a lot of business to the community and I think its unreal,” he said.

“I think what is special about the day is you have generations of families coming to enjoy it and it brings a whole community together.

“The beach is packed and the amount of work the Surf Life Saving Club, major sponsor Powercor and people in the community put in is unbelievable.”

Set to coach Lorne’s football team again in 2025, Mr Curnow will be joined by teammates on the run.

“They’re all excited, they see it as the best weekend in Lorne for the year, so you do the run and swim and you have a few beers, which you feel like you’ve definitely earned,” he said.

Curnow’s tips for the swim include to start wide so you avoid copping an elbow and to wait a short while after the buzzer to avoid getting caught in the mad rush.

Originally published as Ed Curnow prepares for Lorne Pier to Pub and Mountain to Surf