Victory for Kevin Blick in the 3 x 110 yards Individual Medley (backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle but luckily for most of us no butterfly) whilst Will Schuberth won the under 18s 110 yard (100m) race for the Cygnets' cup. Young Will was the overall moral victor on the morning having first completed the Individual Medley (accompanied by Dad) before putting in a strong 100m swim to win the Cygnets' race.
Fond farewells were also said to Volker Koch prior to his imminent move to the Netherlands.
President Alan Mitchell introducing Andrew and Himilce
If proof is needed that gentle gentlemen exist even in this generation Andrew is that proof. Andrew joined the club in 1985. After a dozen years or so his civil servant job took him to Southampton which meant until retirement there were a few gaps in his regular appearances lakeside.
Mike Olizar commented that “Andrew is the Club's supreme exponent of the backstroke in the Club. He is the only person I know-of who diving off from the board facing the front can spin round mid-air to hit the water in the backstroke position.”
Aside from his proficiency at backstroke (he won the 1990 Peter Pan cup using his favoured stroke) Andrew has run a number of marathons: forward-facing not backwards!
Andrew took over the sponsorship of the club's Individual Medley in 1991 following the death of Louis Alt. Louis was famous for his head-stands and yoga poses, and also his proficiency with the Indian clubs. Andrew is not known for yoga nor the Indian clubs, but his well-researched post-race speech, always delivered without notes, is an annual “not to be missed” event. Andrew's wife Himilce is also ever-present to watch our annual Individual Medley event.
First home was Kevin Blick
Kevin admitted that on the final turn he pushed off against "something solid". It turned out to be Volker Koch. Despite this "unfair and unnatural advantage" the result still stood but a dope test may still be pending (not sure who for though!)
Will Schuberth won the Cygnets cup, followed by 2019 winner Oscar Fisher and Ben Bowman
A Cygnets section of the Serpentine Swimming Club was formed in 1939. Sadly the war years got in the way and the junior section did not survive. The tradition was revived in 2016, pushed along by Sakura Adams, Tory Long and our now President Alan Mitchell.
Click here for a report on the 2016 race
2016 Cygnets, watched on by "parents"
In the 1920s the club would present a Serpentine Schools Challenge Shield. This was an afternoon event, rather than a traditional early morning competition
1923 winners, St Paul's school
Andrew joined in 1985 and went on to win the Christmas Day race in 1990
Andrew received the cup from then President Mike Olizar. Not sure why he had not got changed.
Not the best of photos, but this does capture Andrew's backstroke storming through the finish.
Alan Titmuss gave his approval
1990 was a good year for Andrew - he won that summer's Radford mile for the Colin Cooper cup
Justin Fahy first home in 1996 - a cup was not introduced for the race until the next decade
A young Alan Luckhurst won the Andrew Fuller Medley cup in 2014
Alana Digby was perhaps the first from "down-under" to be presented with the Individual Medley cup, in 2016
Australian Alana was busy putting in the distance ready for her Channel swim and had to pulled from the water to receive the cup
Andrew succeeded Louis Alt as sponsor of the Medley race
Louis Alt, 1986. Along with Peter Saunders, Louis was a great exponent of the Indian Clubs.
Aside from swimming, Andrew has completed a number of marathons
1992 London Marathon
A few other SSC members ran with Andrew in the 1992 race - Keith Harworth, John Sextone, Jim Eldridge and Cyril Wood
Saturday also saw a sad farewell to Volker Koch who is moving to the Netherlands. Volker joined us in 2010.
Volker won the 2016 Peter Pan cup
Volker will celebrate his "Channelversary" on 17 August. He undertook his 18 hour 32 minute crossing in 2015.
Reports on Twitter kept us updated
"Job done"
A well earned rest on the way back
Click here to see the full report on Volker's swim -