The fun fest of our All Clothes Race dates back to the very beginning of the club and has a very serious intent. The race 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. Though the race nowadays sees many "dressed to impress" fancy outfits, it 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.
Plus some sad news about long term member John Sextone, after whom today's cup is named.
Our 2025 All Clothes Race victor
Jaana Tarma, first home of the morning's thirty two competitors (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Immediate past president Rob Ouldcott stepped up to introduce today's sponsor to anyone who might not be familiar
Rob made the introductions, Laure the presentations.
First place for Jaana
Second place for the second best ever club president, since 2022.
(photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Third place for the forever smiling Julie Lebkiri
(photo: Vanessa Marshall)
And a prize for the last home, King Tut
who beneath the mask bore more than a passing resemblance to Tony Schiemann (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
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.
1993, John with Gordon Brodie and Bill Phipps.
Sadly, the club has only recently learnt that John died on 17 January. He had been ill for quite a while and was being carered-for by his daughter Parissa, who had moved to Northern Ireland some years ago.
The club extend their sympathies to John's family and to his long term partner of many decades, Marion. We were grateful for the fun and friendship John brought to Saturday mornings at the Serpentine and for the bridge with the South London Swimming Club and Tooting Bec Lido to which he greatly contributed .
Laure joined the club in 2012. She was intitially a "social" swimmer. But as the seasons passed, inspired by fellow club members, she took to longer distances and then moved on to marathon swimming with energy, enthusiasm and enjoyement. Channel relays and then a solo crossing and this year a round Manhattan island swim to name but a few.
English Channel, 23 August 2023
Laure's swim track shared and signed by fellow Serpies
New York, New York.
Laure was the first French woman to swim the "The Twenty Bridges". 48.5km around Manhattan island, in New York City .
Laure and Rob modelled the new club swimming costume design
I was not there, but it was apparently reported that Rob announced the men's trunks will come in small, medium, large and Bowman sizes. (photo: Norman Jones)
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?"
"On the board" 1924
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 past the 2021 photos.
https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/51133/2021-all-clothes-race
Aside from "distant" historic detail, there are also photos of many favourite club faces since the turn of the century.
Whilst the club prepared for side-splitting fun, some serious stuff was afoot on the opposite bank.
Swim Serpentine - a mass participation event for serious personal challenges and a chance for charity fundraising. The event is run by the same people that organise the London Marathon. (photo: Norman Jones)
Hyde Park's best dressed
(photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Portent of things to come? Within half an hour Jaana received the cup from Laure. (photo: Poppy Lund)
Pair of flappers? (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Not just a Serpentine siren, but a blue-green algae adorned Serpentine siren. Perhaps the most pertinent costume worn this morning? (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Mike Olizar got the race going
At least an attempt at 2.7kg (6lbs) (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Excitement building (photo: Norman Jones)
Mike's away (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Messrs Barron and Papasavvas firmly in control (photo: Poppy Lund)
The Flying Unicorn (photo: Norman Jones)
The Red Queen (or Queen of Hearts if you wish) ploughing through the heavy waters of the Serpentine (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Ancient Egyptian Serpie (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Relief just to get to the finish (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
Still beaming (photo: Norman Jones)
No intention of swimming back (photo: Vanessa Marshall)
And finally,
a somewhat cheeky view of the lake. Definately not 2.7kg. (photo: anonymous)
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)