Sunday 1st October, 8 o'clock, saw the Serpentiine Swimming Club host our open water commrades from south of the river to renew friendly rivalries, and eat cake (lots of it!)
In 1963 South London SC organised a gala at Tooting Bec open to all London's open water swimming clubs. Only the Serpentine Swimming Club turned up and ever since an annual gala has been held between the two clubs.
The 60th anniversary of the first event saw the Serpentine SC squeek home for a narrow victory and reclaim the silverware that had been "loaned" to SLSC for the past twelve months.
Past President Robin Hunter was overjoyed at Serpentine's victory.
Hon Secretary Laure Latham oversaw preparations for the most important ingredients of a successful SSC v SLSC morning - cake, lots of it
The morning's racing commenced with a competitive "Forty Years and Under" butterfly
Four keen youngsters, with the Serpentine's Luckhurst brothers eager to earn family bragging rights
Shoulder dipped under the water and ready
The morning off to a "flying" start
Heading for the finish
Spectators lined the bank and watched in feathered wonderment as the youngster fly for home
Will Luckhurst, first victor of the morning. (photo: Anthony Wood)
Watching the finish line. (photo: Anthony Wood)
Although celebrating its sixtiest anniversary, this was the first time the event had been hosted in Hyde Park. Refurbishment work meant the Tooting Bec Lido was unavailable, so the Serpentine SC offered to host this year's annual event. It was not quite a completely new experience to many of the South London team, a fair few having been made welcome by Serpentine SC durinng 2023 to enjoy the delights of swimming alongside our coots, moorhens, ducks, geese, swans, comorants, crayfish, ducks, duckmites, and other assorted aquatic wonders. For others it was a first, but hopefully not a last, time.
The only difference to the previous decades - a warm early October instead of nippy November; 55 yards instead of 30 yards; no lane ropes; murky green liquid and not clear blue Tooting elixer; no sauna; no hot showers; 8 o'clock start instead of a leisurely Sunday lie-in for civilised 10 a.m. commencment. We overcame the similarities and still swam with commraderie, fun and affection for the open air.
A busy morning saw eighteen events covered by all ages and abilities
(photo: Antony Wood)
(photo: Antony Wood)
(photo: Antony Wood)
(photo: Norman Jones)
A pair of past presidents plod along the pontoon, prepared for their plunge. (Who writes this stuff?) (photo: Anthony Wood)
Swimmers of both clubs enjoyed their events, cheering on both sides equally
Sally Stott stood out from the crowd (photo: Anthony Wood)
(photo: Antony Wood)
(photo: Antony Wood)
(photo: Antony Wood)
(photo: Norman Jones)
(photo: Norman Jones)
(photo: Antony Wood)
President Rob emerges (photo: Anthony Wood)
Clare Doyle on dog warden duty with Lewis (photo: Norman Jones)
Pondering. (photo: Norman Jones)
Serpentine vice President Robin Hunter-Coddington spoke of the long running friendship between London's two premier all-the-year-round open air swimming clubs.
Whilst Tooting Bec undergoes refurbishment many south Londoners have been made welcome at our lake
(photo: Norman Jones)
Club captain Deirdre Ward spoke of the history of this fixture, initiated by Doug Smith and colleagues in 1963, sixty years ago
The Doug Smith cup passes over
(photo Norman Jones)
Tight grip?
Giulia was a bit quick off the mark with the three cheers. (photo: Norman Jones)
Doug Smith, was already a leading light at the South London Swimming Club when he joined the Serpentine SC in 1956. Very quickly Doug learnt much about the club and was responsible, along with Alan Titmuss, for putting together our original 1964 book “Breaking the Ice” to celebrate the club's centenary. Doug was a true sporting gentleman: he only ever complained about his handicap mark when it was too good!
It was Doug who took the lead in organising the 1963 Tooting Bec gala. Doug sadly died quite young in 1967 but his memory lives on in the Doug Smith cup competed for between his two beloved clubs.
Doug's joint membership was reflective of the long-standing strong and friendly ties between the two clubs: the Serpentine raced early on a Saturday morning whilst South London held their races Sunday mid-morning so many took the opportunity for a weekend competitive double hit.
Doug Smith, 1963
Doug was very much involved in charity work, not just within swimming but also with a number of youth clubs in south London.
Doug also gained many friends in France, where he first set foot during the Normandy landings in 1944. Aside from the cup for the SLSC v SSC gala, both clubs have a Doug Smith race in his memory on their fixture cards. The Serpentine's race is sponsored by Eric Carter over 440 yards (400m).
For more history of the Doug Smith over the decades, please follow this link to the 2022 report:
(report compiled by Brian Thomas)