The Emmi Hunte series is raced between February and October over varying distances - February 50m (55 yards), March 100m (110 yards), August 800m (880 yards) with the final 91m (100 yard) race held in late October. Originally the Daily Telegraph series, this was re-dedicated to honour popular veteran Emmi Hunte in 2019.
Anna and the Baker boys well wrapped, ready for the presentation.
Max, Sam and Theo (photo: Norman Jones)
Ruta Skatikaite first home in the first race
(photo: Norman Jones)
Second race first place for Simone
(photo: Norman Jones)
First race second place for Ilyan Kovatchev
(photo: Norman Jones)
Second race second place for James Norton
No photo of James, so here's third placed Charlotte Hallward (photo: Norman Jones)
Julie Lebkiri first race third place
(photo: Norman Jones)
Anna Hillyer joined us in January 2004 along with Jessica Avery and Janie Saunders to prepare for their "Water Babes" Channel relay to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
"Before signing up for the Channel we had been leisurely breast stroking and chatting in an indoor pool and signed up without really realising what we were getting into. We had some swimming lessons, as Jess and Janie weren't really front crawlers. Our teacher was more keen on teaching us to skull on our backs in case we got tired I seem to remember. We visited the (Hampstead) Ladies' Pond for a January dip and they recommended the Serps. Everything improved from that moment. It really was life-changing."
Relay completed, and its bubbly with coach back on the boat back to Dover
Janie Saunders, Anna Hillyer and Jesssica Avery with coach Nick Adams
Anna completed her English Channel solo on 13 July 2005 in 17 hours and 32 minutes, only 20 minutes longer than her relay. At the time, the reports said that she looked slightly distressed, but she did it, supported by Nick and Sakura. It always helps having two experts on hand to assist.
Landed
At the time Duff Kelly commented that he could not sleep for 17 hours and 32 minutes, let alone swim for that duration.
First of the two races ready to go
(photo: Norman Jones)
(photo: Norman Jones)
Swan set the pace (photo: Chris Hatcher)
Ruta stood to watch the finishing field (photo: Norman Jones)
As race two started the sun began to disappear
(photo: Chris Hatcher)
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
A clear victory for Simone (photo: Lorraine Jones)
"I joined in January 2004 to prepare for the WaterBabes Channel relay, alongside Janie Saunders and Jessica Avery. Before signing up for the Channel we had been leisurely breast stroking and chatting in an indoor pool and signed up without really realising what we were getting into. We had some swimming lessons, as Jess and Janie weren't really front crawlers. Our teacher was more keen on teaching us to skull on our backs in case we got tired I seem to remember. We visited the (Hampstead) Ladies' Pond for a January dip and they recommended the Serps. Everything improved from that moment. It really was life-changing.
"Janie lives in north London and Jess is in Worcestershire. We reunited for the Zurich relay and went out with a large contingency from the Serps in 2008 I think.
"I met Sam at Oxford in September 2005, shortly after my July solo. He quickly learnt to join in with the swimming. I remember he walked from his parents' home in Golders Green on Christmas day 2005 to watch me in the Peter Pan race. He also did the Zurich relay with Mark and Teresa (Faure-Walker)."
"The Water Babes" at Dover, ready to go.
Evening meal with some of the support crew the evening before Anna's 2005 solo - Sakura and Jess munching nervously with Anna
Final preparations
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)