Dorothy Dickey

Dorothy is a world class swimmer — at 79. Each year she lines up to take part in the biggest ocean race in the world, the 1.2 km Pier to Pub race in Lorne, Victoria. Against the odds, which have included spinal surgery, she’s done that 23 times.
She started swimming at 54. Her daughter, who swam with Melbourne club Doncaster Dolphins, came home one night and said, "Mum, we need ladies your age."

Although Dorothy protested that she couldn’t swim, her daughter assured her that she could swim well enough. According to Dorothy, “I went over, did my 25 metres, nearly died, and I’ve been there ever since.”

In 2010 she’ll be 80, and she’s already looking ahead to her preparation for the world championships in her new 80-84 years division.

As she says, “I never ever dreamed in a thousand lifetimes that this would ever happen. I really didn't.”