RNLI themed prizes from Tory and Jonny Long, with the Stovold cup presented by Sidney Stovold's daughter Roberta. It was the first visit to the club for Roberta and family to experience the ambiance and madness and to watch the race remembering her international standard high diver father.
Jamal Saad took the trophy, having performed best against his handicap over the two 200m races.
Boris on the naughty step.
Congratulations to Fran Lou, now officially an Ironman.
First home again, but this week a trophy for Jamal
Last Saturday Jamal was first home in the first race, but disqualified for starting a full one minute before his handicap time. This week he dived in on the correct time, and promptly came in first and took the honours (photo: Anthony Wood)
An exhausted Jamal takes stock (photo: Norman Jones)
President Rob Oulcott welcomed Sidney Stovold's daughter Roberta and her family to the club
(photo: Norman Jones)
President Rob welcomed Sidney Stovold's daughter Roberrta and family. Her sister Josephine was away on holiday, but sent her apologies and hoped to join us next year.
Tales were recalled of Sidney, who was not just a strong all year round Serpentine swimmer, but also competed in national diving competitions with the Highgate Diving Club. Founded in 1928 and based at the Highgate Ponds, by 1939 the club dominated the British diving scene. Our Sid was "up there" with the best.
Tory has presented the prizes for the Stovold cup race since 2011
Sid joined the Serpentine SC in the mid 1950s and would regularly entertain members with his incredible sense of balance - there are stories of him walking out from the changing room on his hands, onto the Serpentine diving board and then gracefully entering the water.
Roberta backed this up by telling an anecdote about her childhood holidays in Hastings with her father. Turns out there was a 10m diving board in Hastings. Sidney climbed every single step on his hands before taking a plunge from the top.
Sidney sadly died suddenly in 1962, at the far too young age of 51. A race in his memory has been on the fixture card ever since. For many decades, up to 2011, Sidney's second wife Gladys would join us at the Serpentine each autumn to present the cup.
Another warm autumnal morning greeting the racers and spectators. (photo: Norman Jones)
Robin oversaw proceedings (photo: Anthony Wood)
Eager anticipation - Jamal 1st race, Katie 2nd race. Pre race nerves?
First race over, time to exit and watch the "fast mob". Jan Farmer was first of the first racers out of the water (photo: Anthony Wood)
The golden early morning autumn light still shining through for the second race (photo: Anthony Wood)
Board filling up with more racers ready for "the off" (photo: Norman Jones)
Backmarkers Katie and Jesse patiently await their mark (photo: Norman Jones)
Two 200m races were held, with places and prizes allocated to those who performed best against their handicap.
Second place went to Vanessa Marshall.
Third place was awarded to Alan Mitchell.
President Rob announced that Boris Mavra was to be put on the naughty step, having been disqualified for only going round one buoy at the 100m turn and for pulling down the presidential swimming trunks in the final dash for home. It was not made clear which of these transgressions is considered the more serious.
2nd place to Vanessa (photo: Norman Jones)
Third place for past President Alan (photo: Norman Jones)
Astonishment amongst the gathered members at the announcement of Mr Mavra's disqualifying antics (photo: Norman Jones)
Channel swimmer Tory has presented prizes for the Stovold cup since 2011
13 August 2012, Tory ready for the start of her English Channel solo crossing. A very respectable 14 hours, 15 minutes
For much more detail on Tory and her marathon swims, and on past Stovold cup races please follow this link to the 2022 report -
Early morning, 13 August 2012. Tory about to enter the waters off Shakespeare Beach
And finally, massive congratulations to Fran Lou, "Ironman"
Fran completed the Barcelona Ironman in 12hrs, 42mins, 39 secs. We are all very proud.
(report compiled by Brian Thomas)