London Calling!cldsa-logo-stickyLondon Calling!cldsa-logo-sticky
  • Members
    • Membership
    • Swim Applications
    • Skippers
    • Observers
  • Swim Records
  • Swims & Routes
    • Atlantic Seaboard
    • Blouberg
    • Cape Point
    • False Bay
    • Robben Island
    • West Coast
  • Swimmer Info
    • CLDSA Swim Rules
    • FAQ
    • Resources
    • CLDSA News
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Contact
0

London Calling!

7 Mar 2022

We chat to Serpentine Swimming Club Honorary Secretary Laure Latham about the incredible history of this 158-year-old club, and its upcoming induction into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.

If you have ever been in Hyde Park on a wintry Christmas Day, you’ve probably chucked a pebble or two at the floating ice on Serpentine Lake. You wouldn’t have been worried about hitting a duck or a swan, because ducks and swans are far too savvy to paddle in that icy, black water.

Unlike humans, specifically Serpentine Swimming Club members, who gather every December 25th to hurl their goggled-up, blue-lipped, Speedo-wearing souls into the Serpentine for the annual Peter Pan Cup race, one of the world’s Top 100 open-water swims!

You’d probably have caught brief snatches of the club anthem – to the tune of My Darling Clementine – “In the duck poo that’s what we do/ Come on in the water’s fine/ You are in my heart forever/ Oh, my darling, Serpentine!”

People have been doing that for at least 155 years, providing at least one reason why the world’s third oldest swimming club will be officially inducted as an Honour Organisation into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in May (IMSHOF), for its contribution to open-water swimming. The club, in Hyde Park in Central London, was founded in 1864, making it just one year younger than the country’s Football Association, but five years older than the Lawn Tennis Association. As a comparison, Chelsea Football Club only came into existence in 1905!

However, Londoners have been using that water probably since its creation as a lake in 1728 by Caroline, Queen Consort of King George II. Indeed, London press records a certain individual Henry Hunt, who on January 17, 1826, won a 100-guinea bet by riding his father’s carriage over the frozen ice. That is around 10 000 pounds in today’s money!

Pic by everyone’s favourite London-based swimmer, Lindi Mitchell.

Laure says the club has always been a haven for cold-water enthusiasts, and a major hub for marathon swimmers. “The Club – which meets every morning of the year in Hyde Park – epitomises a certain sort of Englishness. Eccentric, self-organising, understated and self-conscious, the sight of its swimmers ploughing the green water is a quintessential detail of London life.”

Laure says that despite the club’s somewhat Spartan changing facilities and chilly waters, members always emerge smiling, even on mid-winter mornings.

“It can rain horizontally, be foggy, sunny or warm, but our members are a hardy bunch who would not trade their morning swimming routine for anything in the world. Swimming in the middle of London before most Londoners are out of bed sets them up to face the day. Tea and cake for breakfast also does wonders to keep morale high!” 

The club also has a historic focus on the English Channel. Between 1957 and 2021, 82 members completed solos. The first female and male swimmers to complete English Channel triples were club members and IMSHOF Honorees. Members have also swum some of the most famous fresh-water swims in the United Kingdom, including Loch Lomond, Loch Ness and Lake Windermere. The club also boasts ice milers and competitive winter swimmers. Several members have also swum Robben Island!

There is a long history of supporting and giving back to the swimming community, with members officer and committee positions in IMSHOF and in IMSHOF Honour Organisations, including the British Long Distance Swimming Association, the Channel Swimming Association and the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation. In 2021, the club raised over £16, 000 (R320 000) for one-to-one swimming lessons for children with physical and sensory disabilities.

The Club regularly meets friendly rivals, for example the South London Swimming Club in Tooting Bec Lido, against whom they swim two to three galas a year. 

Laure says friendly competition is always encouraged. “Our members are truly about open-water swimming and the camaraderie and mutual support that swimmers are known for. The club is a wonderful community which embraces every swimmer’s individuality and helps members from every walk of life enjoy outdoor swimming in London at affordable prices.”

London’s toughest wild swimmers get ready to enter the icy Serpentine on Christmas Day, accompanied by the skirl of pipes.

Laure adds, “Should your members wish to join us for a swim, please don’t hesitate to ask them to contact me for a guest swim.”

Visit http://serpentineswimmingclub.com/

Share

Related posts

13 Jun 2022

Memory Lane!


Read more
10 Jun 2022

Double Breasted


Read more
21 Apr 2022

Swimmer’s story


Read more
cldsa-logo
Facebook Instagram Twitter Linkedin

Information

  • About Us
  • CLDSA Constitution
  • CLDSA Swim Rules
  • Checklists
  • FAQ
  • How to Swim a Robben Island Crossing

Apply & Buy

  • Become a member
  • Book a swim
  • Buy CLDSA merchandise

Join our newsletter

© CLDSA  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use
Photos courtesy of Chris Hitchcock and Speedo SA (Kevin Swayer photographer)
0
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Read more.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement1 yearThe cookie is set to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
elementorneverThis cookie is used by the website's WordPress theme. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
CookieDurationDescription
mfn-builder1 yearNo description
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo