There was a warm welcome for Dave Halliday who presented the prizes on Saturday. Dave has been a member of Serpentine SC since 1973.
There were two scratch races on a warm sunny day with pleasant temperatures (see link) .
Race one was a fight to the fatigued finish with Ange Johnson and Kristy McIntyre slugging it out stroke for fatiguing stroke over the second 100 yards. Not quite the Grand National, but to the casual observer it seemed that the lead changed several times between the two Australians, with Ange pipping Kristy at the finish. Jaki Fischel Bock was third and birthday boy Peter McNamara was fourth. Thanks to Peter for the abundant supply of birthday donuts (staple diet of open water swimmers).
Race two was won by possibly the fastest swimmer in the club, but as Nick Adams had not taken part in the race it was not easy to see whether Cameron Kelly, the race winner, would have exerted the superiority of youth on the 220 yard distance. Cameron is still awaiting the result of the steward's enquiry as to whether he has done enough to take Nick's club record for 110 yards. Back to the results, Cameron flew home followed closely by Mark Fabik. Rob Ouldcott took third, but did not beat Jan Farmer as she was in a different race.
Prizes for all were a real bath-time treat, robotic fish.
Thanks to Alan Nash for timekeeping. Alan brought samples of his home-crafted leather goods. Thanks again to Dave Halliday.
[John Tierney]
