The first of the seven rounds of "heats" commenced on Saturday 4 November. Victoria Hasler had the honour of winning the first race of "winter" 2023. Points not prizes today, but big hugs to all of our heat winners.
The Bernard Fettes cup will be presented by the Kelly brothers (Sean, Duff and Jesse) at the end of the series on Saturday 16 December.
The series also acts as a qualification for the Christmas Day race for the Peter Pan cup.
Passing classic - a Routemaster London bus bore witness to the start of the series
A wave from Mike Olizar, and the Winter Series gets under way.
No sunshine for the Handicapper's team
The Fettes cup has been presented at the end of the Winter Series since 1958, in memory of Bernard Fettes. Bernard Fettes was a dentist who would arrive at the Serpentine in his pride and joy, a Jaguar motor car.
The Winter Series spans many generations, stretching back to the early years of the club in the 19th century. Since the mid-1970s the series has been sponsored by the Kelly family. American artist Francis (Bob) Kelly was club President from 1983 to 1986. Bob's sons Duff and Jess still swim, as does big brother Sean when up from his new home in Devon and grandson Cameron when he is back in town from Liverpool where he has settled.
Bob and the boys, 1972. (L-R, Duff, Sean, Bob, Jesse)
World championship contender
Bob represented Great Britain in the 1990 World Triathlon Championships (60 to 65 age group)
A damp President Rob helped start the race
The heat nears the finish
As if by magic, President Rob popped up to help to judge on the result
The heats progressed; the rain did not cease
(photo: Robert Fisher)
(photo: Robert Fisher)
Someone forgot to take off their socks (photo: Robert Fisher)
A nice touch of brightness on a dull morning
The view from the bridge was very damp and dank
(photo: Robert Fisher)
(report compiled by Brian Thomas)