A hard slog for Katie, who started 1 minute and 49 seconds after the first swimmer. Last week's ice had cleared, but the 100 yard (91m) distance was a chilly, stength sapping 4.8c. The dozens and dozens of swimmers in front of her were also quite an obstalce.
2022 Peter Pan cup winner, Katie Berlyn Holmes
South African long distance swimmer and primary school teacher Katie took the honours by a whisker. (photo: Fiona Campbell)
On the board and ready
Having serenaded the swimmers onto the board, piper Lachlan McDonald managed to dodge the "Nest of Crocs" lurking menacingly at the side. (photo: Nick Hungerford)
The line up for the 159th Christmas race. How may sleeps until the 160th? (photo: Alec Hendry)
Mike Olizar got the race underway with the clock at zero. Definitely not last, Mike paused to pose for the cameras.
Mike won the 1981 Peter Pan cup, but not on Christmas morning. Ice caused the race to be postponed. Mike won the race when it was finally able to be held, on 27 February 1982. (photo: Alec Hendry)
Albert Greenbury and his two brothers swam in the 1908 Christmas Day race. Albert took over presentation of the Peter Pan cup from Sir James Barrie in 1932. Five generations of Greenburys joined us this morning, including recent additions Rory (16 months) and Amelia (14 months), Albert's two great great grandaughters.
Simon Greenbury presented the cup, watched on by sister Lucy who swims all the year round with the club.
Simon spoke of his father Stephen, who at 90 was not able to attened but sent his Christmas wishes and thoughts to all members.
David Greenbury and sons were dressed for the occasion. (photo: Fiona Campbell)
President Rob's speech was eagerly awaited (with the crowd joined by an infamous childrens' literary character)
The more the Grinch thought of this Who Christmas Sing, The more the Grinch thought, "I must stop this whole thing!" "I know just what to do!" The Grinch laughed in his throat. And he made a quick Santy Claus hat and a coat. And he chuckled, and clucked, "What a great Grinchy trick!" "With this coat and this hat, I look just like Saint Nick!". (photo: Fiona Campbell; words of wisdom: James Norton)
Simon Greenbury presented the cup, watched on by racing sister Lucy
Lucy was strategically placed, guarding the Secret Santa sack (bottom left). (photo: Alec Hendry)
The presidential address went down well
(photo: Fiona Campbell)
Having collected the cup, a beaming Katie turned to face the cameras
(photo: Alec Hendry)
Big hug for second placed Yvonne
Lucy still dedicatedly guarding the sack, watched on from beyond the table by sack supervisor Chloe. (photo: Fiona Campbell)
Yvonne
Second by a whisker and a metal post (photo: Fiona Campbell)
Flowers and thank-yous for Channel legend Rosie, who keeps us in order for the other 51 weeks of the year
(photo: Fiona Campbell)
The Serpentine Swimming Club's Christmas morning handicap is swum over a 100 yard course for the Peter Pan Cup. The club's Christmas Day race has been held every year since 1864. In the early years it was customary for the winner to be presented with a medal. Author J M Barrie became associated with the Christmas Day race in 1903 when he first donated a Peter Pan Cup. This coincided with the play Peter Pan's debut on the London stage. Barrie continued to present a cup for the winner each year up to 1932. The honour then fell to Albert Greenbury, a dedicated member since 1908 who served as club president from 1935 to 1955. To this day the Greenbury family continue the tradition. Albert's granddaughter, Lucy Harris, is a current member and races all through the year.
On the rare occasions when ice has prevented the race from going ahead on Christmas morning, the Peter Pan cup has been swum once the ice has cleared. Normally this means a race in January, though in 1981 the ice lingered and the race was eventually swum on 27 February 1982. Covid restrictions meant the club could not hold the Christmas race in 2020. However, we were allowed to swim "socially distanced" and many members swam the traditional 100 yard course - each undertaking their own personal Christmas Day race. So in fact the club's 157th Christmas Day swim did take place. This means 2022 saw our 159th Christmas swim. Are you counting how many sleeps until the 160th
The 1913 finish
Albert Greenbury marked by the X?
1922, 100 years ago 12 year old Willie Adams was the youngest competitor
Today, Fennella was our youngest racer - a relative sage at seventeen
Lots more information if you follow this link to "the race we missed" report from 2020 -
1922, on the board led by young Willie Adams
Some Tricky sort of superstitious ritual familiar only to those in the know? (Or did they fall out of their prams in Kensington Gardens and just not grow up?) (photo: Fiona Campbell)
Vanessa, all dressed up and, Ho! Ho! Ho! nowhere to go (other than the sub 5c water). (photo: Fiona Campbell)
Lachlan warming up the pipes. (photo: Fiona Campbell)
Report compiled by Brian Thomas, who missed the race due to that nasty flu bug doing the rounds
Lewis got to meet lots of friends and receive big hugs and cuddles. (photo: Alec Hendry)