The Hallam marketing manager took home her second Pier to Pub win in 13minutes 50seconds, beating six-time winner Naantali Marshall by nine seconds and finishing ahead of Olympic swimmer Brooke Hanson.

Ms Ebenwaldner won the event in 2004 and swims in the Victorian Masters competition and said she had been "basic swimming all my life".

"I do masters swimming now and the open water season when it's on from January to March.

"The Pier to Pub is the biggest event I've won. I've taken out a number of masters national titles, and won last year's Rip View swim classic at Point Lonsdale."

Ebenwaldner moved to Dandenong North 10years ago to "be closer to mum and dad".

"We moved four houses down from mum and dad."

She said that with open water racing, there was always a fear of sharks and other sea creatures.

"You don't think about it when you're racing, but it's always in the back of your mind, the possibility of a shark attack.

"My husband and I did the Pier to Pub course the night before and there was no one else in the water. We were both petrified."

Greater Dandenong Mayor John Kelly congratulated the 28-year-old on her achievement.

Cr Kelly said she had done herself and her city proud.

"I was proud to see a Dandenong girl come out on top of such a high quality field."