John Tierney powered purposefully to take the prized pewter.
This was the first leg of the four race Emmi Hunte series - February 55 yards (50m), March 110 yards (100m), August 880 yards (800m), and October 100 yards (91m).
John Tierney streaked home to take the historic trophy
The magnificent pewter trophy was presented to then club captain Harry Coulter in 1868. In our foundation year, 1864, Harry became our first club captain and went on to win the inaugral Christmas Day race.
In addition to Harry Coulter, one of Britain's top swimmers in his day, the 1868 Captains' cup race allows us to remember the ever popular, and sadly missed, Gordon Brodie. Gordon was club captain from 2003 to 2019. We also celebrate Deirdre Ward, our current club captain and Irish marathon swimming legend.
This fixture is the first of four handicapped races through the season over varying distances that count towards the Emmi Hunte cup series - February 55 yards (50m), March 110 yards (100m), August 880 yards (800m), and October 100 yards (91m).
Some very tasty prizes, ideal for a post-swim cuppa
Second prize for Tony Schieman
Ilyan Kovatchev third
James Lythe fourth
Peter Georgio in fifth place flew the flag for South London
Trent Herdman sixth
Two races this morning, with the fastest against their handicap awarded the trophy.
No photos of the first race (would-be photographers were in it).
A few snaps were taken of the second.
Some rather naughty boys caused a splash as a pair of superstars tried to take their rightful place ready for the start (photo: Norman Jones)
Race underway
The winner streaked home (photo: Norman Jones)
Followed by a keen crowd (photo: Norman Jones)
The judges, and judges' assistants, ensured all was fair and equitable
Post race drains-up (photo: Norman Jones)
One way of ensuring a comfortably hot dog on a cold morning
No idea what's going on here, but the moment was captured
(photo: Norman Jones)
President Rob told of the cup's history,
and of how the race allows us to celebrate club captains past and current
Deirdre joined the club in 2006. The committee recognised her inspirational skills when "team Serpentine" competed away and appointed her vice-Captain in 2014. Following the sad passing of Gordon Brodie, she was upgraded to club Captain in 2019.
2013 - Deirdre herding cats at the South London gala
Solo Swims
2010 (1) Switzerland Lake Zurich 16.2 miles (26 km) 8 hours 33 mins
2012 (2) UK France English Channel 21 miles (34km) 14 hours 30 mins
2014 (3) USA MIMS (Manhatten Island) 28.8 miles (46km) 9 hours 21 mins
2014 (4) UK 2-way Windermere 21 miles (34km) 12 hours 2 mins
2014 (5) UK France English Channel 21 miles (34km) 15 hours 31 mins
2016 (6) UK France 2-way English Channel 42 miles (68km) 27 hours 52 mins
2018 (7) UK (Scotland) Loch Lomond 21.6 miles (35 km ) 10 hours 45 mins
2019 (8) Switzerland Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) (44 miles) (75km) 25 hours 45 mins
Relay Swim
2017 English Channel Winter relay (December) 21 miles (relay) 13 hours 18 mins
Deirdre is a member of the Irish Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.
Captain Deidre is one of our most accomplished marathon swimmers
Deirdre's two-way English Channel success, 24 August 2016
Two-way completed and back on the boat
Loch Lomond, 2018. Deirdre completed the 35 kilometres (21.6 miles) in 10 hours 45 minutes.
I did that. 21.6 miles in 10 hours 45 minutes.
Gordon Brodie, club Captain 2003 to 2019
Forever laughing
Gordon enjoying a changing room sing-song with Dave and James (photo: Fiona Campbell)
Gordon joined the club in 1990. He was renowned for his songs in the changing room and his encyclopedic knowledge of boxing. Gordon trained for a solo Channel swim but to his immense disappointment the weather turned the night before the attempt and the pilot called off the swim. Had he been successful he would have been the oldest person to have made a maiden solo swim.
For those of you that might be interested, the cup is made from Brittannia pewter....
Britannia metal | The Pewter Society
(with thanks to John Luckhurst for the information)
The cup had been in the club's possession for many years but it was not until 2018 that it was introduced to the fixture list to honour club captain Gordon. The first Saturday of March, 2018 saw the "Beast from the East" in full fury. Though the 55 yard event went ahead, the weather was far too icy for Gordon to attend. Gordon presented the cup to winner Shelley-Anne Claircourt later in the spring.
3 March 2018, into an easterly headwind. Note the snow on the opposite bank.
On 1st July 1863 Henry E Coulter (Harry) was matched with J.P.Jones of the Bermondsey Dolphins whom he beat over the 1,000 yards length of the lake to become "Champion of the Serpentine". This was prior to the club's founding. Harry became the winner of the very first Serpentine Swimming Club Christmas morning handicap in 1864.
In those early years, the 1,000 yards length of the lake was also used to decide the Club Captaincy. In 1864, aged 28, Coulter's winning time was 20 mins. 10secs. Breastroke was the stroke of elite competitors in those days, the "Australian crawl" yet to be devised. Harry went on to win each year until 1869, when T Morris defeated him and broke the spell.
Harry Coulter was a swimmer of national standard and competed in race challenges for what was, in the 1860s, extremely large purses. Prizes of £25 and even £50 were not unheard of. In those early days of the club, and in competitive swimming in general, professionals and amateurs would often race together.
No report of Harry Coulter's 1864 Christmas Day victory available, but we do have a press cutting capturing his 1868 third place
The Brighton Times, 2 January 1869
And finally ... Swedish cake, with a Danish twist
Niklas Ahman provided some Scandinavian scrumptiousness. If you ask him nicely he might share the recipe.
(report compiled by Brian Thomas)