The five-race series commenced in February, with our championship contested through winter, spring and early summer. The distances - 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m. Or if you prefer 55 yards, 110 yards, 220 yards, 440 yards, 880 yards.
Our 2026 club champion, Jess Kelly
Jesse repeated his 2021 success(photo: Antony Wood)
Club champion 2021
One race only. Due to covid social distancing restrictions four of the five scratch races were not held. Jesse won the 800m race. In 2026 Jesse became a true "five leg" champion.
Arthur joined the club in 1934
1935 - silverware for Arthur with unseasonable ice on the board, late October
Arthur was club President when the "class of ‘67” joined the swimming club - Bill Deeley, Mike Olizar, Peter Larrad and Brian Thomas. Mike Olizar will always share his fond memories of Arthur, who was very quick to welcome new members kindly into the fold. The "class of '67" all owe him a debt of gratitude for making new members feel so much at home.
Arthur was club President twice, in 1965-68 and 1977-80. He took over the role as club handicapper in 1952 when Clary Reed stood down, continuing in this role until the mid-1960s. Arthur still provided handicapping assistance and cover into the 1980s.
MIke Olizar shared fond memories of Arthur's contrubution to the club and of his true gentlemanly character
Arthur was a great friend of Alan Titmuss and was part of the group of club members affectionately known as “the Harrow mob” - Arthur plus Alan Titmuss, Teddy Bennion, Maurice Ferris, and Jack Baker (Alan Titmuss’s uncle).
Our records show he joined the Club aged 29 in 1934. He served in the Royal Artillery 1939-45 in the UK, France and Germany, landing in France a few days after D-day. Most of his working life was spent with a well-known firm of wholesale silk and fabric merchants which involved buying trips to Europe. On retirement he worked for a few years at Harvey Nicholls in the accounts department. Apart from the Serpentine his other great interest was cricket, both as a player, then umpire and of course as a spectator. He was an also avid fan of Chelsea football club.
When asked, as people would, “what’s the water like today Arthur?” his predictable response was always, “like wine my boy, like wine”. Whilst club Secretary Brian Thomas was interviewed in the studio of the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Christmas Eve morning, 2009. "I was determined to honour Arthur by working it in. When I did, it rendered Jim McNulty and John Humphreys speechless!"
Perhaps it should be compulsory that any club official must use this quote when interviewed by national media?
The ever serious duty of the Hon. Handicapper - the 1960 All Clothes Race
Arthur would carefully weigh contestants clothing for the All Clothes Race to ensure the minimum 6lbs was adhered to. If underweight, the unfortunate competitor would receive additional seconds on their handicap.
Hon. Handicapper Arthur Goffrey oversaw the 1964 Centenary race, swum in Victorian costume.
On the board and ready
(photo: Anthony Wood)
The scratch start soon spread out (photo: Anthony Wood)
Jesse stretching for home (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Congratulations from second place Luka (photo: Anthony Wood)
Time to reflect under a grim early summer sky (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Counting them in (photo: Anthony Wood)
Not everyone feels the need for speed
Esme Daley and Hanna Conrad enjoyed their own "competition"
President Laure enjoyed a post race cuppa (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Jesse Kelly came forward to receive the cup of champions
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Luka Melon second (photo: Anthony Wood)
Sami Robertson third (photo: Norman Jones)
Katie Irvine achieved fourth place swimming for two (photo: Norman Jones)
Toby Crooks fifth (photo: Anthony Wood)
1930 club champion. For many decades the club champion's name was added to a championship shield. There was only one event to decide the club champion - half a mile
From the early 1970s the club champion received a memorial cup named after Gilbert Varley. Gilbert was an early member of the club and club President from 1926 - 1933. There was a major change to the format of the club championship in the mid 1970s. Rather than a one-off 880 yard race the club championship was decided over five races to reflect "all the weathers" in which we compete - 55 yards, 110 yards, 22 yards, 440 yards culminating in the 880 yards in high summer.
To qualify for the championship members must compete in at least four of the five championship races.
In 1986 the championship was a tie between Peter Larrad and Norman Jones. They shared the Gilbert Varley cup. The Gilbert Varley cup was retired after the 1994 championship.
From 1995 Arthur's daughter Judy Thayer has presented the club champion with the Arthur Goffrey memorial cup.
1996, a young Nick Adams retained the trophy.
Nick has been many times club champion, the last time being 2018.
Arthur Goffrey, 1904 - 1992. A gentleman of the club.
Christmas Day, 1952. Arthur's first Christmas morning race as handicapper. Note the "little black book" containing Arthur's handicap notes, records and secrets.
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals)