The 100m Cygnets' race for the under 18s acted as the curtain raiser for the "third blue ribbon event" of the year.
Will Schuberth was once again Cygnet champion. Charlie Frith captured John Sextone's "Sexy's cup".
Participants in the Swim Serpentine event taking place on the north shore of the lake looked on with puzzlement.
Charlie, a pointed first place, received "Sexy's cup" from Hon. Secretary Laure Latham
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No. It's superhero Pink Pencil Woman, aka Charlie Frith
The fun-fest of our All Clothes Race dates back to the very beginning of the club and reflects the club's Royal Humane Society origins promoting water safety. Originally it was an event to test a swimmer's ability to survive and swim fully clothed should they fall into a river or canal. The race nowadays sees many "dressed to impress" fancy outfits. Yet this event still reminds the competitor just how tough it is should they find themselves in the water in a heck of a lot more than a mere slinky, skimpy swim suit.
When formed in 1864, one of the objects of the Club was to save life from drowning and lifesaving figured prominently in the club's activities. In 1866 the committee, ever anxious to promote the noble art of swimming in every possible way, introduced the “All Clothes Races” and undressing in deep water contest. The clothes worn were jacket, trousers, waistcoat, shirt and leather boots, at the minimum weight of 8lbs.
Records show the minimum weight was reduced to 6lbs by the 1930s. Were Serpies becoming softer?
1910, as reported in Lotinga's Weekly. "Twenty-five swimmers, handicapped as closely as human judgement could devise faced the starter".
Lotinga's Weekly was an illustrated journal of sport & drama with a national circulation
1921, undressing mid-Serpentine
All Clothes Race, 1921. Swimmers had to swim to a boat anchored mid-lake, disrobe, throwing their clothes into the boat, and then continue to race to the other bank.
1924, competitors' clothing inspected by the Hon. Handicapper. Stipulated minimum weight= 6lb (2.7kg in "new money")
1924 - "wot, no socks?"
For more detail on the history of the All Clothes Race across three different centuries, plus many historic photos, please follow this link to the 2021 report and then scroll down.
On the board, 1924.
The Cygnets' race started the morning's proceedings
The older youngsters had to wait their turn
Will Schuberth successful
The younger youngsters also stepped up to the plate
Master Ashrafian
Miss Kovatchev
Cygnets' race over, and it's time for the grown-ups to act-up
Time to line up on board
Peter Pan? (photo: Anthony Wood)
(photo: Anthony Wood)
(photo: Sarah Ouldcott)
Fran policed proceedings (photo: Anthony Wood)
(photo: Sarah Ouldcott)
Clock going. Mike Olizar, at the end of the board, first away.
More to follow
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Hairy-scary entry
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Another hair-raising start
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Jaana received additional assistance from the fake Sheikh, whether needed or not.
Back markers prepare to wing-it
Why the long face?
Floats like a butterfly, stings like a ...... ?
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Wet, bedraggled but happy to survive
(photo: Anthony Wood)
The creature emerges
(photo: Anthony Wood)
More happy finishers
(photo: Anthony Wood)
The gold lame effect (photo: Sarah Ouldcott)
Almost fifty years since Brian first wore his zoo keeper's jacket in an All Clothes Race (photo: Sarah Ouldcott)
(photo: Sarah Ouldcott)
(photo: Sarah Ouldcott)
The Beauty and the Beast. A fairy-tale ending ? (photo: Anthony Wood)
A wet James ..... shaken, not stirred (photo: Anthony Wood)
Whilst we relived our race with tales of glory, the Swim Serpentine participants were involved in meeting their own personal challenge.
(photo: Robert Fisher)
Silverware and tasty goodies lined up ready for President Rob's speech
Big hugs and multiple French cheek kisses for the prize winners
1st place Charlie Frith
Jaana Tarma
Andrew Fuller
Standing on the Jock Fee bench, Rob missed out on his hug. Belinda recorded for posterity.
Nichola Sanderson
Brian Thomas, post hug
John Sextone became associated with the All Clothes race in1982, the race previously being sponsored for many decades by Arthur Goffrey. John was a founder member of the Serpentine Running Club and completed seventeen marathons during his long running career. John never won the Christmas Day race but is a Bridge-to-Bridge legend. He is the only member on record to have completed a hat-trick of wins: 1987, 1990 and 1993.
John has been in ill health, and the club sends all its love to John and those close to him.
John Sextone 1993, flanked by club legends Gordon Brodie and Bill Phipps
Hailing originally from the south of France, Laure Latham joined the club in London's Olympic year, 2012. Initially very much a "social swimmer," during the following years with the Serpentine Swimming Club Laure was slowly motivated to swim further and further. Various inland long distance swims were completed, Lake Windermere included. Eventually, after much dedicated training and "bulking-up", Laure became an English Channel swimmer on 23 August 2023. An inspiration to us all.
Laure was elected to the club committee in 2020 and stepped up to the Hon. Secretary role during 2021.
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Laure's Channel track
Once upon a time the handicapper dutifully checked the weight of competitor's clothes. If they were under the minimum 6lbs (2.7kg) weight additional seconds were added to the unfortunate offender's handicap.
1960, Hon. Handicapper Arthur Goffery performing his pre-race duties.
It is somewhat doubtful that Adam Cranfield's outfit came within a fraction of the "required" weight.
What was lacking in material was more than made up in "performance".
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)