The cup is swum in memory of a veteran of the Normandy landings, Doug Smith. A leading figure at the South London Swimming Club who swam with the Serpentine Swimming Club from 1956 until his premature death in 1967. During his time with us Doug strengthened the already close ties between the two clubs and contributed greatly to the 1964 club centenary book, "Breaking the Ice".
Prizes presented by Rob and Sarah Ouldcott, for one year only. Holiday commitments meant a race day swap with usual Doug Smith cup sponsor Eric Carter.
In President Laure's absence past President Rob spoke about Doug Smith. Dame Laura Lee spoke a lot about Sarah, and a little bit about Rob.
Cup winner Ilyan Kovatchev
The more recent of our members may recall Ilyan from their induction morning.
Ready for the off
Mike Olizar waited for the handicapper's count. Dave Bill warmed up by scrubbing the board.
Last minute discussions by the handicapping team
Rob claimed past president's prerogative and spoke first
We heard of Doug Smith's contribution to the Serpentine Swimming Club (Doug's Saturday swim) and the South London Swimming Club (his Sunday swim).
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!
Doug, 1963
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.
The other Doug Smith cup, competed for at Tooting Bec Lido
The South London Swimming Club host the Serpentine Swimming Club in November each year to compete for another Doug Smith cup.
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.
He 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.
Another side of the Serpentine from Dame Laura
Rob had spoken first, telling us all about Doug Smith. Dame Laura stepped up to speak of Sarah and the non-racing members' contribution to the club. She told of Sarah's back story as a dancer and with ITV News and her current role working in education.
Glory for the Serpentine's best dressed man
(photo: Norman Jones)
Second place for Sophia Holder. Everyone's favourite maths tutor.
Booby prize for John Luckhurst
First time amongst the prizes, Olga De la Fuente.
Ilyan, with third placed Adam Cranfield and fourth placed Catrin Picton.
We sang Happy Birthday to Kazia
(photo: Norman Jones)
Rob joined us in early 2012. He bagged the his first silverware, the Sgt. Thomas cup, on a sleety, wintery March morning in 2013. That year the temperature did not rise above 3c until well into April.
Rob came to the Serpentine to swim outdoors in non-chlorinated water (no one thought to mention the biting bugs to him!). He was soon followed by Sarah and daughter Lily. The Ouldcotts quickly found themselves completely hooked on the lake - "Sarah is a devout heads up breaststroke swimmer who does not race, so perfect for the Serps", said Rob. Rob and Lily progressed to somewhat longer exploits - by September that year Rob completed a solo crossing of the English Channel in a very respectable 14 hours and 35 minutes. Soon after a young Lily completed an English Channel relay in September 2013, a month after her 13th birthday.
Said Rob with respect to his English Channel exploits:
"It was only when I arrived and heard about the Channel swimming that I became interested. I blame Boris (Mavra) as he had a chat with me about it. Nick (Adams) also persuaded me to sign up".
Rob coached Lily and the girls from Camden School to complete a Channel relay on 1 September 2013 in a very respectful time of 13 hours and 10 minutes
Team logo
Lily's Channel relay inspiration occured when she was crew on Rob's solo swim and mentioned “that didn’t look too hard”. Hearing that, Rob signed her up for a relay.
Never one for the "usual", Rob was part of a 2015 Serpentine team that completed the first-ever butterfly relay of the English Channel.
Why crawl to France when you can fly
The 2015 Serpentine Butterfly team - Boris Mavra, Rob Ouldcott, Kevin Blick, Robert Fisher, Sam Mould and Mark Johansen
Team member Rob Fisher mid-Channel
The Guinness Book of Records said they would recognise the swim if the team completed the relay in under 20 hours. On 10 August 2015 they completed the relay in 19 hours and 15 minutes.
Rob was elected onto the club committee in 2018. The Covid 19 restrictions of 2020 and 2021 saw Rob step forward and play a real hands-on involvement in the club's "back to swimming arrangements", with The Royal Parks keeping a close watch on progress and proceedings.
In 2022 Rob succeeded Alan Mitchell as club President. Some club members (Boris?) had the opinion that the Saturday speech was the highlight of Rob's week, rather than anything undertaken actually in the water!
A happy, sunny spring morning
(photo: Norman Jones)
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian, unless credited to individuals)