Eric Carter's Quarter for the Doug Smith cup

Doug Smith joined 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!

When he joined, Doug was already a member of the South London Swimming Club where he was a leading figure.  This cross over is reflective of the long-standing strong and friendly ties between the two clubs - the Serpentine raced early Saturday morning whilst South London held their races Sunday mid-morning so many took the opportunity for a weekend competitive double hit.

In 1963 Doug was responsible for organising 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 between the two clubs is held in his name each autumn.

Doug was very much involved in charity work, not just within swimming but also with a number of youth clubs in south London.  Doug gained many friends in France, having been involved in 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 which we raced today.

Doug was with our club for just eleven short years and passed away suddenly from a heart attack in 1967. For many decades his widow Rene continued to bake her delicious bread and brandy pudding for the Tooting Bec gala.

Eric joined the club in 1993 and immediately started training for a Channel relay with fellow Serpies Rosie George, Justin Fahy, Paul Hughes, Jeremy Hunter and Norman Jones.  Sadly the sea conditions, though calm at the start, turned very rough which meant the attempt was cut short 8 miles off Cap Gris Nez.

In 1996 Eric won the Winter Competition for the Fettes cup followed four days later by the Christmas Day race for the Peter Pan cup.  A rare "December Double".

A very impressive time of 10 hours and 20 minutes. Some fine swimmers in the team - Eric, plus Nick Adams, Rosie George (coach), Paul Hughes, Gordon Brodie (aka Williams) and Anthony Howland.  Plus Lee Williams, not in photo.

Eric has run over twenty marathons, on many occasions accompanying fellow Serpies such as Alan Lacy, Cyril Wood, Gordon Brodie and John Sextone.  Eric was elected club President in 2007.  Due to the unfortunate passing of Alan Titmuss near the end of Eric's three-year term the club invited him to stay in post for a further year, taking advantage of his strong and ever-present leadership qualities.  The requirements of the ongoing management and administration tasks at this difficult time for the club's organisation mean the club AGM of 2011 asked Eric to see through to the end a second three-year term.