News

Family commitments meant club member Bobby Baxter could not join us for the annual race in memory of his 1889 Christmas Day winning great grandfather.  Arthur Hester was a key club member in the late 19th century, serving on the committee from 1890 to 1902.  President Rob stepped in with some travel themed literatry prizes.

We also had the chance to congratulate the Serpentine relay team who successfully pioneered a new English Channel route, swimming to Normandy earlier in the week.  A "dash" of 39 hours 28 minutes.

Our Christmas morning piper Lachlan McDonald made a summer appearance to serenade the field as they swam one metre past the standard finish point.

Serpentine swimmers head off to the Normandy beaches to raise money for a Royal Marine charity.

Six swimmer team on "West Winds" (the boat, not the weather forecast) 

Brian Thomas repeated his success of 27 years ago, and won the Jock Fee cup for a second time.

In 1997 the cup was presented by Peter Saunders.  2024 saw the silverware presented by George Cselko and all four of his girls.

Second home was Simone Piccoli, followed by Matt McKeown, John Craske and Boris Mavra.

Plus, photographer Anthony Wood captured our new club champion Katie Irvine trying her best to prove water really can be walked-on.

The final leg of the five race club championship series fell foul of the blue-green algae last Saturday.  To make amends on behalf of the club, the Adams family agreed that their normally handicapped race be a scratch affair.

In 1973 women were able to become associate members.  In 1985 women were able to join as full members.  Thirtynine years on, and we now have our very first woman club champion -  the unrelenting kenetic dynamo that is Katie Irvine.

No race today, so here are some club memories

Liz Hurst hopped over from Holland to romp home and claim the Alan Titmuss cup, swum over 400m  in memory of a club great.

The main event was preceded by the Veterans' race for the Brew Brothers cup.  Linda Luckhurst maintained family honour and took home the trophy for the young at heart.

Four generations of the Titmuss family were present to watch proceedings.

As per last year, we had a blue and white hooped theme from the many west and north west London club members who share Alan's devotion to Queens Park Rangers Football Club.  The red and white of Arsenal was also in evidence - in the late 1940s and 1950s Alan was a regular at Highbury with his father and uncle.