News

Previous UK one mile record holder (over 85s category) Ted Gerald left the youngsters in his wake to win the club's longest race, and lift the club's largest cup.

A race celebrating Rosie George, our very own lady of the lake and international marathon swimming legend.  The additional one metre is in recognition of Rosie's 1967 France to England Channel swim.  It also affords Rosie bragging rights as sponsor of the club's longest race.

Plus news of 2022 club champion Will Luckhust, who recently graduated from RAF Cranwell.

Four of the five wonderful Cselko family joined us to present the Jock Fee cup to winner Charlie Frith.  Some lovely prizes went to Charlie and those who came in hot on her heels.

The race and cup celebrates Jock Fee and his work colleague and fellow club member Peter Saunders.  Jock was the third and last Serpentine Lido Superintendent.  The others being Sid Richardson and Ted Stoter, who was appointed when the Lansbury Lido opened in 1930.  The Lido Superintendent was a direct employee of the Royal Parks.  The post lapsed when operation of the Lido became a commercial franchise in1983.  Scroll down for some captured memories.  Plus lots of live memories concerning the Cselkos.

A 800m race in memory of our centerary President saw Elly (with a "Y", not an "IE") Jones win her first cup.

Yummy prizes from the Adams Family went down very well.

Birthday cake for Channel legend Rosie George.

Alan Luckhurst kept it in the family, replicating younger brother Will's victory last year, and was crowned 2023 Club Champion.

The five-race series commenced in February, with our championship contested through winter, spring and summer.  The distances -  50m, 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m (55 yards, 110 yards, 220 yards, 440 yards, 880 yards) mean the championship of our "all-the-year-round outdoor swimmig club" is decided across varying Serpentinian conditions.  Mind you, some may contend that with the water 15.5c and the air 11c, Saturday might have been our first race of "metrological summer" but not quite summer weather.

Hats off to the handicapping team for a morning of competitive fun.

Victory in an event going back 92 years went to team captain Nick Hungerford and his crew -  Simone Piccoli, Brad Fultz and Blyda Hefer.

The morning was completed with cake and candles for Lorraine Jones.

A race celebrating the contribution to the club of Alan Titmuss, who joined in 1950 aged 13.  There was also a blue and white hooped theme from club members that shared Alan's devotion to Queens Park Rangers.

A large turnout from four generations of the family saw Paulette Titmuss present the Titmuss cup to Callum Higgins.  Though having appeared in prize positions, this was Callum's first first place.

The race was preceded by the Veterans' cup, for those of us of a certain vintage.  Andrew Fuller (joined 1985) backstroked to victory.

A race in memory of a lovely, weightlifting character from Bethnal Green.

The prizes were provided by Ron's great Serpentine friends Kirsty Neilson and Mary Olivary.  Kirsty was away, but the always effortlessly elegant Mary was on hand to present the Ron (the Con) Whittam Power Cup to winner Debs Byatt.

Why the "Power cup"?  Ron was a power lifter.  He continued to compete into his eighties.

Why "the Con"?  Don't ask!

Why is Mary Olivary "always effortlessly elegant"?  She just is.

Paul Daniels stormed to the front of the procession to be crowned swimming head of state for the morning.

Eric Carter presented a cup in memory of D-day veteran Doug Smith -  a leading figure at the South London Swimming Club who swam with the Serpentine Swimming Club from 1956 until his premature death in 1967.  During his time with us Doug strengthened the already close ties between the two clubs and contributed greatly to the 1964 club centenary book, "Breaking the Ice".

Past president (1989-92) Mike Olizar and wife Sally presented the cup remembering another past president (1968-71) Maurice Ferris.

Stuart Bowman took the honours in this closely contested 400m handicap race.

Bill Phipps daughter Theresa travelled up from south Wales with husband Laurance to present the Bill Phipps cup.   She was joined by her brother Lucian.

Jamal Saad held off the rapidly approaching fast mob to snatch the silverware in an exiting finish.