News

The Bernard Fettes cup will be presented by the Kelly brothers (Sean, Duff and Jesse) at the end of the series on Saturday 20December.

The series also acts as qualification for the Christmas Day race for the Peter Pan cup.

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.

Memorial event for Bill Deeley, Saturday 15 November, 11am.  The Army and Navy Club.

Please join the Deeley Family to share memories, laughter and love in honour of a life well lived.  See invite for RSVP detail.

The Emmi Hunte series is determined across a series of races of various distances between February and October  -  February 55 yards (50m), March 110 yards (100m), August 880 yards (800m) with the final 100 yard (90m) race held in late October.

As was the case in 2023, the half mile event fell foul of blue-green alage.  Saturday's final race of 100 yards was upped to 220 (200m) because the handicaps had inadvertently been based on last week's distance.  A recurrence of what happened in 2023 -  history repeating itself.  Nobody complained; everyone merrily accepted their fate.  It was quite mild and most would have swum back anyway.

By dint of points accumulation across the 2025 races Charles Cottam was awarded the trophy.

In addition, an "Ashwin prize" was presented by Topo Wresniwiro in memory of Ashwin Pandya who had since the mid 1970s sponsored the series in its previous guise as "The Daily Telegraph cup".  The series was rededicated in Emmi's honour in 2019.

A race to remember three valued past members and to celebrate two prominent current favourites.

Retirement best wishes for Percy, Hyde Park's finest.

Plus news of the sad parting of Bill Deeley, a member of "the class of '67".

Tory Long was due to present the race prizes for the Sidney Stovold cup.  Storm Amy closed the park.  Some enjoyed the lie-in.  Others dashed off in pursuit alternative activity.

Two 200m races.  A beautiful autumn morning saw Nick Hungerford edge out Stu Bowman in an exiting fingertip finish in the second race and claim the cup.

RNLI themed prizes from sailor Sanderson.  Or is it nautical Nicola?

The fun fest of our All Clothes Race dates back to the very beginning of the club and has a very serious intent.  The race reflects the club's Royal Humane Society origins promoting water safety.

Originally it was an event to test a swimmer's ability to survive and swim fully clothed should they fall into a river or canal.  Though the race nowadays sees many "dressed to impress" fancy outfits, it still reminds the competitor just how tough it is should they find themselves in the water in a heck of a lot more than a mere slinky, skimpy swim suit.

Plus some sad news about long term member John Sextone, after whom today's cup is named.

Blue-green algae meant we could not celebrate Mario McClarnon, who graced the Serpentine Swimming Club from the early 1960s for nearly fifty years.  A naturally gifted musician, Mario piped the Christmas Day swimmers onto the board for many decades.  A true gent, a true character, and a true friend to all who had the honour to swim in his company.  Mario Mcclarnon:  1932 - 2007.