The “Peter Pan Cup” Christmas Morning Handicap Swim

Whilst all across London, children are eagerly waiting to unwrap their presents, the members of the “Serpentine Swimming Club” who have met in London’s Hyde Park, winter and summer since 1864 are preparing, some decked out in Santa hats, to swim their traditional 100 yards annual Christmas day swim.  The Serpentine Swimming Club is one of the oldest swimming clubs in the country, and the first race was won by H.Coulter.  He streaked home to win a gold medal, which became customary to award to the winner.  This changed in 1904 when Sir James Barrie, the novelist, immortalised the race by presenting the first “Peter Pan Cup”; like the boy that never grew up, the race has taken on a similarly legendary appeal.

 The race is only open to members and is raced on a handicap system.  For anyone foolish enough to plunge into the icy Serpentine waters, with its temperature usually below 40 ^oF (4 ^oC) degrees in the winter, without acclimatisation over several months, the shock could prove fatal!  As one New Year’s reveller found to his cost.

To compete in the Peter Pan Christmas Day Race you must have competed in at least three races in the Winter Series. 

- The race will start promptly at 09:00
- Only those members of the club who are on the handicap list below will be allowed on the board to race. The list is at the discretion of the handicapper.
- No new memberships will be accepted on the day of the race.
- Those members of the club with a handicap and wishing to race should report to the starter at the SSC desk to be issued with a numbered hat. Please do not leave this until the last minute.
- The numbered hat will be needed to access the board for the start of the race. WITHOUT A HAT you will not be allowed onto the board until the final mark has been reached.

Have a look at past year's photos