Nicola first in the "points mean prizes" stakes to scoop the Bernard Fettes cup for the Winter series. Ice meant no races today, but competitors still received 2 points for a shoulders submerged dip in the ice.
Hon. Handicapper Dani Lobo presented his annual "most competitive swimmer" (or should that read most combative swimmer?) award to Natasha Wake.
James Norton presented Michael Cullen (aka SpeedoMick) with a cup for "an unherralded behind the scenes contribution".
Worthy winner Nicola
We were greeted by ice
(photo: Fiona Campbell)
The Iceman Cometh ........ and they shall swim
James Norton was handy with the hammer to ensure swimmers could take their plunge. (photo: Fiona Campbell)
And swim they did
Some were more reluctant than others to dip the shoulders (photo: Nick Hungerford)
Saturday 17 December saw the end of the Winter Competition, with brothers Duff and Jesse on hand to represent the Kelly family and present the Bernard Fettes cup to series winner Nicola Sanderson.
This particular cup has been presented at the end of the Winter Competition since 1958, presented originally by Bernard Fettes. The Winter series of the Serpentine Swimming Club span many generations and harks back to the early years of the club in the 19th century. Since the mid-1970s the series has been sponsored by the Kelly family. American artist Francis Bob Kelly was club President 1983 to 1986. Present this morning were Bob's sons Duff and Jesse. Sean, Bob's oldest was getting ready to travel across that other pond to Cleveland, Ohio, to see latest addition to the Kelly family. Sean's grandson, Chase Kelly Fitzpatrick was born on Thanksgiving Day, 24 November to Sean's daughter Erin and her husband Kevin.
Bernard Fettes, 1963
Bernard standing next to bearded Frank Simms, overlooked by Roy Wrey and Sid Richardson
Bernard Fettes swam with the club for many years up to the early 1960s. Alan Lacy recalled that Bernard, a dentist, was an established member when he joined in 1948 and would arrive at the Serpentine in his pride and joy: his Jaguar motor car. Research by Mike Harris showed Bernard Fettes to have served in the Army's Machine Gun Corps during WW1.
1972, Bob and the boys
Duff, Sean and Jesse with Bob
Bob Kelly joined the club in 1970 - living in Bayswater he saw Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park as "his own back yard". Bob was club president from 1983 to 1986. Bob led the "save our Serps" campaign in the early 80s when the future of the Lido and of the club was seriously threatened by government budget cutbacks. He was also instrumental in ensuring women were allowed to join the club as "full members", "associate member" status having been introduced in 1973.
Jesse and Duff were on hand to present the cup and prizes
For further background on the history of the Winter Competition and the Kelly family's involvement click here to see the "race we missed" report from 2020 .....
Natasha Wake was presented with the "most competitive swimmer of 2022" award by Hon. Handicapper Dani Lobo.
Dani sets the marks, counts them out and counts them in. He really does find out who's naughty or nice when racing.
SpeedoMick, recipient of the non-competitive Veterans cup (not that Mick is a veteran, nor is it only intended for veterans)
(photo: Nick Hungerford)
The third cup of the morning was presented to Michael Cullen, aka SpeedoMick. The award was introdued a few years ago by past President Robin Hunter-Coddington and his younger, more mature brother Jeremy to be presented to a club member for an "unheralded behind the scenes contribution". It would be presented after the "Hunter-Coddington Dash" each March, the first 100m scratch race of the season in the club championship series. The cup used for the award is a Serpentine Veterans trophy originally presented in the early 20th century. James Norton has now taken over the sponsorship of this race, but the the award for "unheralded work" continues. James chose Mick Cullen as this year's recipient in recognition of his charity fundrasing. Mick's Saturday morning unavailability meant presentation of the cup could not be made until December.
Mick spoke passionately of his past and how he became involved in charity fundraising. He joined the Serpentine Swimming Club in order to train for his English Channel swim in 2014, a goal inspired by that pesky David Walliams - "if he can do it, I can too!". There then followed a series of mammoth charity walks, dressed only in his skimpy Everton blue Speedos, boots and woolie hat, the length and breadth of the country.
For more information on Mick's charity work please follow this link The SpeedoMick Foundation
Mick will start what he says will be his last Lands End to John O'Groats walk after Christmas.
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas)