Sunday 30th December

Duff took this video of some swans having a fight!  Click here to see the video.

 

Tuesday 25th December

Paul Cooper won the Christams Day race.  The weather was a little wet, but it didn't dampen our spirits.  Click here to see the video.

 

Saturday 22nd December

We were all very excited on our walk down to the Serps, as there was ice all over the Serps.  The water was measured as 33oF.  It was decided that there was too much ice in the swimming section for us to race, so we all just had a swim in the hole for our 3 points.  Alice won the Winter Series.  See the video by clicking here.

 

Sunday 16th December

Duff Kelly managed to swim a mile in the 37oF Serps water, whilst the air was only 33oF!!!!  He has been training for this for a while, and he writes:
"Well I came down to London on Thursday night and was considering making my swim attempt on Friday but decided that if I died doing it, I would miss the Madness Concert and party Friday evening so I put it off until Sunday since I was up all night on Friday.  It was 37F and air was 33F.  I was in a bit of a state after it and was a bit concerned but thanks to Jane Murphy who reassured me and helped me recover, I am still here so far.  Anyway, I know it's not the greatest achievement but it was a personal quest and feels good to have done it but my heart was not enjoying it as much as I was. "
To watch his video click here

 

Saturday 15th December

 

Saturday 8th December

The Christmas Party was held at the Lido.

 

Saturday 8th December - Morning

The colour of the sky was simply stunning when many of us arrived at the Serps, but by 8am it had returned to its normal grey!  We had two new swimmers, Andy Harrison and Nicki Wraight who both did extremely well.  Kevin Muphy brought down 'Murph' Renford who swam the Channel this Summer.  All our guests did brilliantly.

 

Saturday 1st December in Ireland

We were thrilled to hear that former Serps swimmers Andrew and Sally Kelly who have moved to Ireland had delivery of two beautiful twins: Cathal and Amos Kelly, born at 14:43 and 14:44 weighing in at 6lb and 0.5oz and 6lb and 7oz respectively.

 

Saturday 1st December

Rather sadly the temperature had risen to 43oF!  It was lovely to see Janie Saunders come for a swim.

 

Saturday 24th November

The water had only dropped to 40oF, which was a surprise to us all as overnight the air temp had been reported as -5oC!!  The rather nippy air temp did make the wait on the board cold.  The Thomas's introduced their new puppy Hector to the Serps; a very cute addition.  Duff Kelly did another mile, and his video can be seen by clicking here

 

Saturday 17th November

The water had very quickly got rather nippy.  It was 41oF and the change from the previous week was notcied by everyone apart from Duff Kelly, who decided to swim a mile!  It took him just over 31 mins, and he was rather incapacitated with the cold the cold after!!

 

Saturday 10th November

 

Sunday 4th November

The Serps swimmers competed against the South London Swimming Club at Tooting Bec to try and win the Doug Smith Cup.  It was a close run thing, and the Serps won, with the final score being 103 vs 106.

 

Saturday 3rd November

This was the second Saturday of the 55 yard series.  The autumnal colours of the park were stunning.  Alan Titmuss was interviewed for the raido station BBC London 94.9FM.

 

Saturday 13th September

The final day of the 4 races that count towards the Daily Telegraph Cup saw three sperate races.  Anna Hillyer swam well to secure sufficient points to take home the cup.  The prizes were presented by Ashwin.

 

Saturday 6th October

The "Two Rons Cup" was presented by Norman Jones and was won by Matthew Ranson.

 

Saturday 29th September

Cyril and Yvonne Wood presented the prizes for this race.  The 440 yard race was won by Layla; her first ever piece of silverware!!

 

Saturday 15th September

The Club Biathlon (2 mike run followed by an 880 yard swim) was won by a Shona Murray, member of the Serpentine Running Club.  Andrew Davis who won a number of times in recent years came second, followed by the first serpentine swimmer David L'Hostis.  Dierdre Ward was the first female serpentine swimmer home.  To watch the video of the race click here

 

Weekend 7th - 9th September

The Arch to Arc team from the Serpentine completed their challenge.  Times were:

Run             13 hours 15 mins
Transition    16 mins
Swim           12 hours 20 mins
Transition     49 mins
Cycle           13 hours 37 mins

TOTAL:     40 hours 17 mins!!!

 

Saturday 8th September

The All Clothes Race was competed for.  Cat Johnson won the race in a suspectedly light outfit!  To watch the video of the race taken by Duff Kelly, click here.

 

Saturday 1st September

This was the 3rd race that counts towards the Daily Telegraph Race.

 

Saturday 25th August

Water dropped this week to 60F but it was a beautiful sunny morning and the water was still.  Paul won the race with Cyril in 2nd then it was Emmy, Matt Ransom, Mike Olizar, Eric and Maria (quite possible in that order as well).  The ever smiling George Brutton made the journey from Salisbury with Annette and their whole family was well represented with children, grandchildren and one of the sons brought along his 3 legged dog China.

 

Saturday 18th August

Barney Miller came to preside over the relay races and to present the prizes.  The swimmers were divided into 'even' teams of four, and each team swam a 4 x 200 yard relay.  Eric, Anna, Marcin and Yoko won.  The subsequent finishing teams are photoed below in order.

 

Sunday 5th August

Some Serps members went to Switzerland for the Annual Lake Zurich swim, which travels the length of the lake (26.4km).

Click here for the photos

 

Sunday 5th August

The annual Lilford Hall swim took place. Click here for the results

 

Saturday 4th August

John Reed won the medley with photographer Andrew (not Deeley) in 2nd.  Others that placed (in no particular order as I can't remember) were Tony, Gary, Yoko, and Alan Nash.   Gordon Brodie won the Best Backstroke award which I think Andrew Fuller awards based on Speed, Style or Improvement and I think Gordon clearly fell in the latter category.  It was also nice to see Wayne Ashpole back for the 2nd week running.  A selection of pictures to choose from.  Stunningly beautiful morning.

 

Saturday 21st July

The torrential rain stayed away for us to all enjoy a lovely morning down at the Serps.  A mile race was swum to compete for the Rosie George Cup.  This was a very special morning as it was the 40 year anniversary (to the week) of Rose's first English Channel swim back in 1967 when she was the became the first British woman to swim the Channel.

Andy Deeley romped home in first place, narrowly followed by Alice Constance.  New swimmer, Eric, finished 5 minutes after anyone else due to a rather harsh handicap; poor chap!

 

Saturday 14th July

The annual Brigde to Bridge race was won by Matthew Ranson.  It was a lovely morning for the swim, and we had loads of entrants.  Anthony and Jenny Cleaver sponsor the race and presented the prizes.

 

Saturday 7th July

The final race that counts towards the Club Championship was swum, and the 2007 Championship Cup was awarded to Duff Kelly.

 

Saturday 23rd June

The water was 65oF.  The 880 yard was won by Andrew, and some wanted Rule 17j enacted, but he got away with the win!  The most exciting event of the morning as a rousing Happy Birthday sung for our much-loved Cyril Wood who was 84 today.  Congratulations Cyril; top man.

 

Saturday 16th June

This was the morning after the night before!  Will Ferguson was the worst for wear!

 

Friday 15th June

The Arch to Arc team put on an amazing charity ball at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.  The event was attended by around 250 people, and was a fantastic success.  Many wandered off for more drinks and dancing at Crazy Larry's!

 

Saturday 9th June

Neil brought down the last of Gretal's puppies, a very handsome young chap!

 

Sunday 3rd June

This was one of the most wonderful events at the Serpentine.  This was the post-reception reception bash to celebrate Jon and Laura's wedding.  A fine spread was put on by the members of the Serps.

 

Saturday 2nd June

Teams of four competed in the Paul Bridgeman Team Race.  It was such a wonderful morning as the weather was perfect and the water a balmy 61oF.  It was Alan Nash's 75th Birthday, which obviously meant a yummy cake.  Dave L'Hostis was back after coming off his bike in an accident.  His scars were not allowed to bein the sun, hence the odd dresscode he was in!  The team with Nick Adams, Andy Deeley, Garry Duffield and Malcolm just managed to win their heat, and swam well in the finals to snatch victory.  A WONDERFUL moring at the Serps.

 

 

Saturday 26th May

There were two races.  First came the Veteran's 110 yard race.  Below you can see a photo of Geoff and Norman embracing each other, resigned to the fact that their handicaps will completely count them out of the runnings for the silverware!  Alan Titmuss won in the end.  In the 440 yard race afterwards, it was nice to see Layla back with us, and she romped home first, but I think Rule 17j was enacted to stop her winning the silverware for that race!  A pleasant day at the Serps.

 

Saturday 19th May

The water was a lovely 57oF and it was a beautiful sunny morning for the 440 yard race for The Ron Whittam Power Cup.  Duff Kelly won, and actually tried rather hard!

 

Saturday 5th May

The water was 58oF for the 440 yard race for Maev's Rave.  It was rather nippy out of the water due to a bitter wind!

 

Saturday 28th April

Nick Adams won the scratch race, narrowly beating Lexie.  This was the last week for Dierdre to wear her plastic red sock on her arm to protect the plastered broken arm from the water.

 

Saturday 21st April

The water was 55oF and Neil Price easily won the 440 yard race due to a very favourable handicap.  Andy Deeley could have won, but took it too easy and didn't see Neil coming up on his blindside!  Eric Carter provided and presented the prizes.

 

Saturday 7th April

Aspiring English Channel solo swimmer, and current Etonian, Conor Rowley came down to the Serps to join in with the scratch race.  He went out fast but struggled half way through with his breathing.  Dave Holliday presented the prizes.

 

Saturday 24th March

The Sergeant Ted Thomas Cup was won by Alice.

 

Saturday 24th March

The Cold Water Swimming Championships were held at the Tooting Bec Lido again.  Here is a report from Antonina Frolenkova:

The Serpentine team of eleven swimmers won three gold and five silver medals at the Cold Water Swimming Championship on March, 24 at the South London Swimming Club in Tooting Bec Lido. Athletes competed in 40 yards (50 metres) head up breaststroke and 40 yards freestyle while the water temperature was +7C. The competitions had one hundred and forty entrants in five age categories between 81+ to 21 and younger.

Serpentine Club member Gordon Brodie was the best freestyler in his age category and Yvonne Wood another star also gained gold. Another champion Robin Hunter showed exceptional head-up swimming technique having won the first place for the Finnish style breaststroke. Our club representative Leslie Du Cane finished second at the breaststroke. The Murphy family brought the Serpentine team three medals: the King of the Channel Kevin Murphy won bronze at breaststroke, while his spouse Jane Murphy got the best score at both styles. Andrew Allum also occupied the pedestal twice:  the first place at breaststroke and the second at freestyle. The only participant from Russia, Antonina Frolenkova, added even more prestige to the event making it international and snatched a silver medal for the breaststroke.

Anna Macalpine-Leny, Alla Cassidy, George Cselko and Gary Duffield showed their best scores and provided the Serpentine club evident success at the Championship.

 

Sunday 18th March

Some nutter Serps swimmers did a swim in the Thames!!  Report from Antonina Frolenkova:

"A group of swimmers from the Serpentine Swimming club took part in the first international winter swimming event called The Thames Winter Mile. Four swimmers have swum 1 mile (1,6 km) in the river Thames on 18 of March. The race venue was near Medmenham.  The water temperature on that day was 7 C, while the air was 13 C. Four swimmers including Andrew Allum and Stuart Palmer representing UK, Alla Cassidy and Antonina Frolenkova representing Russia took part in the race. The race was a test of the endurance not speed. All the participants have done the mile revealing significant endurance. Moreover, they have done it with an average result of 17 minutes for the distance. "

 

Saturday 17th March

Anna Hillyer brought her English Channel relay team down to the Serps for a dip.  They are all work together at St. Paul's School and all coped well.

In the first of three handicapped 110 yard races for th Telegraph Cup Bridget had an excellent mark, but foolishly swam her best and didn't slow donw well enough at the end to avoid a clear win.  In the photo below you can see her smirking whilst swimming the final few yards!  Simon Studd enjoyed practicing his dive, and only stopped when the spectators were bored of watching.

Many Serps swimmers were shamed by a small dog that swam further and faster than them to fetch a ball!

 

Saturday 10th March

Nick Adams won the scratch race for the Hunter-Coddington Dash.  David Ramm was persuaded to come down for a swim and made the 110 yards in 46oF water.  A chap on a stag weekend came for a swim in his recently acquired "Borat Swimsuit"!!!!

 

Saturday 3rd March

Loads of swimmers from the Serps went down to Dover for the annual Channel Swimming Dinner.  It was a great night. Click here to see the photos.

 

Saturday 3rd March

It was a rather nippy morning, with a bitter wind.  The water was a pleasant 44oF.  American Carol from San Francisco came to test the water and coped admirably.

 

Saturday 24th February

The Serps was 44oF, and the recent rain deided to stay away during our morning swims.  There were three scratch (no handicaps) races in quick succesion.  The slower race was won by Andrew Fuller, the next by Paul Cooper (more about him below) and the third by Nick Adams.  Wonderful brownies were shared with all swimmers for Anna Hillyer's birthday.

We found out today that one of the photos of Paul Cooper from the January swim in the sea at Brighton made it into Swimming Times, with the photo taking up the whole of pages 2 and 3!!  Photo of the magazine is below.

 

Saturday 17th February

Swimmers from the Serps competed in the World Ice Swimming Championships in Finland.

 

Saturday 10th February

The water was 36oF which was considerably warmer than the water where many of the swimmers were this weekend; The Ice Swimming Championships in Finland.  It was pissing with rain and quite miserable!  Steve Mansell swam in a rather splendid new swimming cap, see photos below.

 

Saturday 3rd February

Amazingly the water had risen three degree over the course of the week, and was now a slightly less painful 39oF.  In race five, Sam decided to dive in at 25 seconds, rather than his mark in the thirties!  He then swam on to halfway until he realised no one else had dived in as Alan had restarted the clock, he had to swim back to the start and join the race when it restarted!  This was the final week of races that counted towards the Winter Series.  Prizes were presented by Tony and Saunda Cuthbert.

 

Saturday 28th January

The water really took a dip in temperature after a bitter week.  We were greeted with 36oF water, but it wasn't too bad in as the air wasn't too bitter.  Current Etonian, Anthony Garland visited the Serps to try a swim at its coldest; he performed extremely well.  Two American joggers, who were visiting London decided they would peel off and have a dip in the Serps; well done Jordan and Leslie.

 

Wednesday 24th January

The snow at the Serps was stunning, but a little too brief.  Water temperature was 38oF and falling.

 

Sunday 21st January

13 Swimmers from the Serps went down to Brighton for a icy in the rather large waves.  Great fun all round.

 

Saturday 20th January

The water was 45oF.  Two new swimmers to the races; Steve Mansell and a friend of Anna and Sam's called Andy both popped along and performed well.  It was Mike Olizar's 70th Birthday; many congratulations Mike.  Click here to see the videos

 

Saturday 13th January

The water had risen to a rather pleasant 44oF.  A reported from the magazine TNT came to swim in one of the races, but had to get out around 30m into the race; a gutsy effort.  Click here to see the videos

 

1st January 2007

Many Serps swimmers braved the hangovers of New Years Eve for a constitutional dip on New Years Day.