News

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.

Covid in 2020 and then blue-green algae in 2021, 2023 and now again in 2025 meant the Tony and Jane Schiemann sponsored race for the Dusty Rhodes Bowl once more went walkabout.  A small absence for the magnificant trophy, which disappeared from the fixture list after 1992, but returned in 2018.

Dusty Rhodes was one of the club's many "characters" to have adorned our ranks over the decades, and centuries.  WW2 submariner, Brentford docks stevedore and penny farthing rider.  He also found time to enter Masters' swimming events.

Blue-green algae is still keeping swimmers out of the water.  Here is a reflection on the background to the Maurice Ferris cup, now sponsored by Stu, Deb and Ben Bowman.

Also news of last Sunday's very special anniversary English Channel relay crossing by seven Serpies.  ‘The Serpentine Webb One Fifty’. 

A beautiful sunny morning sadly once again saw a lake devoid of swimmers.

George Brutton, a club regular from the 80s and 90s, first sponsored this late summer race in 1991.  The cup is a re-dedicated trophy originally presented by Louis Fabre in 1935 for a series of four midweek races swum between June and October.

Louis is fondly remebered by the small band of very long term members as a great multi discipline athlete with a competitive streak and a will to break records.

This news item contains a link to the 2024 race report which includes lots of background and history.

The race would have been the third of the four race Emmi Hunte series -  February 50m, March 100m, August 800m, October 100m.

As a reminder of the club's connection with "the Andean Project" and the Luckhurst family's love of our lake this news item links to the report from last year.

Kind conditions (water 20.7c; air 16c) saw a very healthy turnout for the annual run-swim event between the Serpentine Swimming Club and the Serpentine Running and Triathlon Club.

The event was introduced to the club fixture list in 1983 to develop relations between the swimming club and the recently established running club.  Four decades later many of today's entrants are able to claim "dual qualification".

Backstroke, breaststroke, front crawl.  Always Dani Lobo's most difficult handicap task of the year.

Plus, some sad news with respect to club rock, Sir Anthony Cleaver.  One time Hon. Treasurer and a club vice President.  A true friend to those who swam and drank tea with him.