News

2025 Sgt Thomas cup

29 Mar 2025

Prizes were presented to the first three in each of the two races, with the Sgt Thomas cup awarded to the race winner who performed best against their repective handicap.  For the second year running Paul Daniels took the honours.

The Sgt. Thomas memorial cup was first presented in April 1942, 83 years ago.  Fourteen-year-old schoolboy Tommy Thomas joined the club in 1936.  Early in WW2 he signed-up with the RAF.  He was tragically killed on active service in 1941, aged 19.  The cup also remembers Ted Thomas, Tommy's brother.  Though not a racer, Ted was a long term member and supporter of the club.

2025 Sgt Thomas cup
100m club championship James Norton prizes

Mary Gilbert Wendy cup

22 Feb 2025

Lucy Harris scooped the silverware on a morning seemingly mild in comparision to the last few weeks.  Water 7.1c.  Air 10c.  Spring round the corner?

Mary Gilbert Wendy cup

SSC Long Swims Night 2025

16 Feb 2025

On 16 January 2025, the Serpentine Swimming Club organised an evening of talks in west London, featuring club swimmers who had completed long distance swims recently. You can watch video recordings of their talks here.

SSC Long Swims Night 2025

1868 Captains cup presented by Deirdre Ward

15 Feb 2025

A chilly morning (water 4.1c, air 3c) saw bespectacled and hatless heads-up breaststroker Charlie Cottam win his very first Serpentine trophy.  Presented in 1868 to the then club captain Harry Coulter the prized pewter pot nowadays celebrates club captains past and present.

This was the first leg of the four race Emmi Hunte series -  February 50m (55 yards), March 100m (110 yards), August 800m (880 yards) and October 91m (100 yards).

1868 Captains cup presented by Deirdre Ward

2025 Ros Young 50m championship races

08 Feb 2025

The Club Championship is decided over a series of five races during winter, spring and summer over varying distances as the water warms up.  This process identifies not just the fastest of the Serpentine swimmers but also a champion who competes in all weathers and temperatures.

This is the fiftieth anniversary of the introduction of the current club championship format.  Prior to 1975 the club champion was decided by a one-off 880 yard (800m) scratch race in mid summer.

2025 Ros Young 50m championship races

2025 Mike Smith cup series

01 Feb 2025

Mike Small is another of the club's great characters from the past.  Mike had a horrific motorcycle accident in his youth which left him with one arm, a club foot and in continuous pain.  Mike viewed this as a hindrance, not a disability.  His wicked sense of humour never left him and is reflected in the shape of the Mike Small cup adapted to his specifications by club silversmith Bill Phipps:  half an arm and a wonky base.

2025 Mike Smith cup series

2024 Peter Pan cup

25 Dec 2024

A grey, but thankfully dry morning saw Lucy Harris present the Peter Pan cup.

A large field of 81 competitors "enjoyed" the 7c water.  They were cheered on by a huge crowd lining the water's edge, and the grass banks behind, who marvelled as new mum Poppy Lenton showed everyone just how to do it.

2024 Peter Pan cup

Qualified swimmers for the Christmas Day 2024 handicap race for the Peter Pan cup.

23 Dec 2024

The final start list for the Christmas Day race 2024 is published below. Only the pre-qualified swimmers named on the list will be allowed to race.

As always, the race will start at 9 am sharp. If you wish to view the race, please try and arrive by 08:30 as, judging by recent years, the bankside tends to be full of spectators.

Thank you.