News

Second fixture in the Emmi Hunte series, but the first race.  The aftermath of storm Eunice led to the cancellation of the February 50m (55 yards) leg of the four-race series.

Anna, Sam and the Baker Boys (Max and Theo) were on hand to present some lovely prizes.

Anna was a gentle pool swimmer when she optimistically joined us in 2004 to train for a Channel relay.  Anna was so overwhelmed with the experience that she went on to complete a solo crossing the following year.

Saturday's race was over 100m (110 yards) for the Bill and Ron Maggs memorial cup, with prizes by Jon Benton.  Butler Bill Maggs is recorded as a starter in the Christmas Day race of 1910.  He won the Peter Pan cup in 1920 and again in 1954, aged 71.  Bill continued to race with the club up to the mid-1960s.  Bill's son Ron did not race but always supported the club and the memorial race.

First home was Natasha Wake, followed by Elly Jones and Stuart Bowman.

Straight-line Will pipped slightly wonky Alan in the battle of the Luckhurst brothers, which doubled up as the second of the SSC club championship five race series.

Saturday also saw Alan Mitchell deliver his final speech as club President before stepping down at the AGM later that morning.

Saturday 26 February saw us return to racing following last week's cancellation due to the after-effects of Storm Eunice.  We sprinted 50m (55yards) for Mary Gilbert's Wendy Cup.  A plethora of prizes were presented by Mary and family to the eager competitors.

The 1868 Captain's Cup race is a chance for us to celebrate three club captains -

Harry Coulter, the club's very first captain and winner of the club's inaugural Christmas Day race in 1864;

Gordon Brodie, captain 2003 to 2019;

Deirdre Ward, current club captain.

Saturday 12 February saw the first of the five scratch races for the Club Championship, with prizes presented by Ros Young.  The championship is swum over a series of five races during winter, spring and summer over varying distances as the water (hopefully) warms up.

This process identifies not just the fastest of the Serpentine swimmers but also a champion who competes in all weathers and temperatures.

The Deeley family were not able to attend the final Saturday of the Mike Small cup series on 5 February, so we had to wait until a week later for the announcement that long term club member (37 years and counting) Andrew Fuller was victorious.

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 whithered leg 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 cup adapted to Mike's specifications by club silversmith Bill Phipps:  half an arm and a wonky base.

Congratulations to Serpie, Alex Fordyce, who successfully swam from Robben Island to the South African mainland on Monday 17 January 2022. The wildlife witnessed by Alex, was sizeable, visible and audible.

Swimming from Robben island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated,  Alex, the surveyor, made his way to Blouberg Bay with not unexpected company during his sub three-hour swim. 

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 withered leg 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.  A fond friend to all that swam with him, Mike passed away in 1993.