Last silverware before the start of the winter series. Two keenly competeted races.
Katerina won the first race and took the trophy by being fastest against her handicap.
Water 11.6c. Air 10c. Warmer in than out as October fades its way into November.
Silverware for Katerina
Well wrapped against the encroaching autumn chill (photo: Anthony Wood)
Bunny is no stranger to all-the-year-round outdoor bathing, having inherited Louis's love of cold water swimming. She is a regular at the Kenwood ponds, which are closer to her north london home than the Serpentine.
The trophy and its' history - enlightenment from Laure
President Laure enlightened us on Louis's four decades with the club - the stories, the memories, the respect (photo: Anthony Wood)
Louis joined the club in the 1960s and was a regular midweek and weekend swimmer. A psychologist by profession it was always joked that the club members of that era provided him with all the case studies he would ever need.
Louis lived locally and most early mornings would walk across Kensington Gardens with Eric Carter on their way to the lake chatting and putting the world to rights. Louis would stroll along in a baggy, roll neck jumper, with his trunks rolled up in a towel tucked under his arm. Louis was so committed to his patients that he continually put off necessary heart surgery. Sadly, when he finally went into hospital he died on the operating table. The beautiful trophy is a fitting way for the club to remember such a beautiful man.
Louis, late 1990s
Smiling past president Alan Mitchell ready for the first race
(photo: Robert Fisher)
Another past president, this one exhibiting thinness on the bonce (photo: Robert Fisher)
Autumn decorated the morning (photo: Robert Fisher)
Last hundred before Christmas successfully negotiated
Something to talk about (photo: Robert Fisher)
On the board for the second race
Contemplation and focus, plus a bit of stretching (photo: Anthony Wood)
Final adjustments as "the clock" ticks away (photo: Anthony Wood)
Underway (photo: Anthony Wood)
A surprised and delighted Katerina came forward to receive the trophy
Katerina, Laure and Bunny
Matt McKeown second (photo: Andrew Wood)
Third place for Peter Georgio (photo: Andrew Wood)
Andrew Fuller also amongst the prizes (photo: Andrew Wood)
All ears for President Laure
(photo: Anthony Wood)
A warming cuddle for Bonnie (photo: Anthony Wood)
Anthony Wood at work. A labour of love. Thank you.
One of the Serpentine's more amusing tales concerns two pairs of trousers, twice.
As recorded by Alan Titmuss, "one morning, after his swim and in a bit of a rush, Bill Phipps arrived at the car park only to find he had lost his keys, what is more, somebody had pinched his wallet! Who would do that? Nobody: he had got the wrong trousers; they were Louis's!"
This "wrong trousers" tradition was repeated a few years ago by two current club members, James Norton and Vincent Couffon. This similar "case of the wrong trousers" resulted in James turning up at Vincent's office reception saying that Mr Couffon had his trousers, and could he please have them back. All very confusing, though in "Serpentine SC land" quite par for the course.
Nothing new under the sun, nor at the Serpentine Swimming Club.
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)