Doug Bilson, 72, enters the Lorne Pier to Pub for the 32nd year Former winners of the Pier to Pub give their tips on competing in the open water classic WHEN Doug Bilson was 40, he thought a swimming race in the ocean could be fun. Thirty-two years later, he is still entering Lorne's Pier to Pub race and giving much younger competitors a run for their money. "A lot of the young bucks go out and swim at 100 miles per hour and fall in a heap halfway through but I'm slow and steady right to the finish line," Mr Bilson said. One legged Doug Bilson, 72, has been entering the Pier to Pub for 30 years but this is expected to be his final year doing the race. It depends on the tide but it usually takes me 22-24 minutes to swim the 1200m race. At 71, Mr Bilson is not only one of the race's oldest competitors but he is also disadvantaged by having only one leg, lost in a car accident when he was only 15. "That meant cricket and football were off the menu so swimming and sailing became the best options," he said. The Lorne Pier to Pub race began in 1981 but Mr Bilson, of Port Melbourne, started the year after and has entered every race since. He trains at the Prahran pool from September to April, swimming 20 laps every second day. He enters five ocean swimming races a year, including Lonsdale, Portsea, Queenscliff and Sorrento. "I fatten up during winter and hit the pool as soon as the weather gets warmer," he said. But swimming in pools is a bit restricted because you just go up and down. In the ocean you can go out to sea and, if you feel like it, just turn around and come back. He has three children and two grand children who look after him since his wife died two years ago. His daughter Renee Bilson said she worries about him entering the race but is also very proud of his achievements. "We're trying to make him retire but there doesn't look to be much chance of that," Ms Bilson said. We don't want to wrap him in cotton wool. The Lorne Pier to Pub. January 11. For Pier to Pub training tips, check out the video