Serpentine Swimming Club

The race celebrates Clare Doyle's long membership of the club, whilst recalling with poignancy the memory of Percy Clears, who joined the club in the 1900s with his three brothers. Percy was killed in action in October 1918 at Harlebeck, Flanders.

Two 200m races.  Eric Cater won the first race and took the trophy by being fastest against his handicap.  Though he did not win the cup, the second race's Tony Schiemann won hearts and minds with the shallowest and hardest of victories -  negotiating his way through the entrance rails to touch first.

Windy Wellington proved not to be a gimme for Sami Robertson in his bid to complete the famous swim between the two main islands of New Zealand.

Forced to stoically play the weather waiting game, swimming 28.8 kilometres in tough conditions, Sami, supported by the wonderful Phil Rush and his team, made his way between the points in nine hours 46 minutes on Tuesday 7 April 2026.  

Prizes of growing herbs were presented to the first three in each of the two races, with the Sgt Thomas cup awarded to the swimmer who performed best against their repective handicap.  Andrew Fuller of the first race snuck it by four seconds over David Gourgey of the second.

The Sgt. Thomas memorial cup was first presented in April 1942.  Fourteen-year-old schoolboy Tommy Thomas joined the club in 1936.  Early in WW2 he joined the RAF.  He was tragically killed on active service in 1941, aged 19.  The cup also remembers Ted Thomas, Tommy's brother.  Though not a racer, Ted was a long term member and supporter of the club.

Today's winner Luka Melon -  a new name up at the front. 

The Club Championship is swum over a series of five scratch (i.e. non-handicapped) races during winter, spring and summer over varying distances as the water (hopefully) warms up.  This year's fixtures - 

14th February, 50m (55 yards)

7 March, 100m (110 yards)

28 March, 200m (220 yards)

25 April, 400m (440 yards)

6 June, 800m (880 yards)