Silverware for Andrew Wilson.
President Laure, back from her marathon swim achievements, welcomed the Bowmans and told of the background to the Maurice Ferris cup
Maurice joined the club in 1926 - a century ago (photo: Lorraine Jones)
The beautiful lake awaited Laure's return
(photo: Robert Fisher)
(photo: Robert Fisher)
Richard Maurice Ferris joined the club in 1926. He won the 1938 Christmas Day race and the 1966 Bridge to Bridge. Maurice was club President 1968-71.
He was always affectionately known as being part of the "Harrow Mob", along with Alan Titmuss, Teddy Bennion, Arthur Goffrey, and Jack Baker (Alan Titmuss’s uncle).
In the 1960s Maurice worked at the Heinz factory in Harlesden and provided a plentiful supply of "unwanted" dented tins of food to Alan Titmuss. Alan always joked that though this was greatly appreciated, the tins did not have any labels. He and Paulette would never know whether they were opening baked beans, pilchards, peaches or treacle pudding!
Cup winner Andrew Wilson
The burden of fatherhood? (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Paul Atherton second (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Chris Daniels third (photo: Lorraine Jones)
Stu is a previous winner of the Ferris cup
2023, Stu Bowman received the Maurice Ferris cup from the then sponsors Mike and Sally Olizar
For many years the Ferris cup was presented by past president Mike Olizar and wife Sally for a spring race over 400m (440 yards). After the 2023 race Mike decided to stand down and allow someone else the opportunity to sponsor a race. Long standing member Stuart agreed to take over. In 2024, after a bit of calendar juggling Stu, Debs and son Ben presented the Maurice Ferris cup for a late summer 800m race.
As it happened, Stu had won the Olizar's 2023 race. He thus proudly presented the cup he had held since April 2023 to August 2024 winner Sam Spiers. Her first Serpentine silverware.
For background on Mike's time as sponsor and his history with the club please follow this link to the "race we missed" report from 1 May 2021. The spring event has migrated to a late summer/early autumn occurrence.
https://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/51096/the-mike-olizar-440-race-for-the-maurice-ferris-cup
Maurice became a member in 1926. In the 20s and 30s he was recognised as one of the fastest in the club.
1931, Maurice first on the left.
1939 Maurice Ferris, second swimmer on the left. (Note - the photo is annotated 15 June. I suspect this should read 15 Jan.)
The now not so fast Maurice won the Ted Stoter cup in 1963
Mike Olizar recalls that Maurice would get a lift down to the Serps with Alan Titmuss. He would lean on Alan as he walked down from the car park due a long term shoulder problem. However, once in the water the shoulder worked perfectly.
Fellow member of "the class of '67", Peter Larrad, tells of Maurice's final morning at the Serpentine prior to his retirement move to Clacton in the mid 1970s. At the race presentation Maurice shook the hand of every single member present, thanking them for their company as he bade them farewell.
Competitors on the board just as birthday girl Yvonne finished her quick dip
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
(photo: Robert Fisher)
Fiona off; Jamal waits (photo: Robert Fisher)
Race well underway
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
Time to bask in the morning sunshine and take stock
(photo: Lorraine Jones)
- On 14 July 2001 he swam Lake Bala in Wales in 4 hours and 48 minutes.
- On 1 September 2001 he swam Lake Windermere.
- On 4 August 2013 he swam Lake Zurich in 11 hours and 36 minutes.
- On 5 August 2014 at 41 years of age he swam the English Channel for the first time in 15 hours and 24 minutes.
- On 10 June 2016 he swam Lake Bolsena in Italy (12k) in 4 hours 36 minutes.
- On 27 August 2016 he swam Lake Windermere for the second time.
- His second English Channel swim was a two way attempt 3 August 2018, with a crossing time of 17.28; he retired entering the north east lane on the return leg. He was awarded the Des Renford Most Meritorious Male Swimmer Award 2018 for this swim.
- On 4 August 2019 he completed the Henley On Thames River Swim - 14k Henley to Marlow in the river Thames.
- On 14 August 2020 Stu swam the English Channel in a time of 11 hours 58 minutes 30 seconds.
- On 20 July 2021 he swam the English Channel in 15 hours 32 minutes.
- On 24 August 2022 he swam the English Channel in 16 hours 10 minutes.
- At the age of 50, on 9 August 2023 he swam the English Channel in a time of 13 hours and 25 minutes. This was another two way attempt, with a total swim time of 19 hours 15 minutes, retiring just before the separation zone on the return leg.
- On 23 April he swam from Robben Island to Blouberg Cape Town in 2 hours 35 minutes 22 seconds.
- On 28 August 2024 he swam the English Channel in a time of 12 hours and 54 minutes.
- On 19 July 2025 he completed the 20 Bridges circumnavigation of Manhattan (ccw), 45.9k
- On 24 August 2025 he was a member of the Serpentine Swimming Club English Channel relay team to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first crossing by Captain Matthew Webb.
- He has also completed 2 other English Channel relays in 2010 and 2013.
(source: Openwaterpedia)
28 August 2024, Stu's latest Channel swim (12 hours 54 minutes)
Land ahoy!
Crew member Boris Mavra accompanied him over the last few metres
Back on board and Blighty bound
(Report compiled by Brian Thomas. Images provided by Brian and the club's archives, unless credited to individuals. Channel relay photos courtesy of Stu Bowman and team)