Splashing out at Christmas

SERPENTINE SWIMMING CLUB MEMBERS BRAVE THE COLD FOR ANNUAL DASH

FOR most of us, Christmas Day is about taking it easy and deservedly relaxing after a tough year.

Perhaps it is a day to test out the new onesie or just to eat and drink as much as you can.

But, of course, for some hardy – some would say mildly insane – fitness fanatics, it is another opportunity for a bit of exercise. And why let the fact it is cold outside dictate your choice of activity.

Down at Hyde Park on Christmas morning, scores of Londoners ignored the weather and jumped into the freezing Serpentine.

The park plays host to the annual Peter Pan Cup race, where members of the Serpentine Swimming Club don their trunks and costumes for a 100 yards dash across the icy water — which can drop to below 4C in winter so swimmers must become acclimatised over a period of time.

While the racing is reserved for club members who have qualified during the season, spectators are invited to watch the drama.

Swimmers have met in the London park to compete since Christmas morning 1864. The first race was won by H. Coulter, who received a gold medal which became the customary prize for the winner.

Novelist J.M. Barrie donated the first Peter Pan Cup in 1904 – the same year his famous play made its debut on the London stage.

And just like the fictional boy who never grew up, the race has taken on a legendary appeal.

Club member Sakura Adams was presented with the trophy this year after coming first in the race, but the real winners were all the hardy souls that entered the water.

The Serpentine Swimming Club is one of the oldest of its kind in the country.

It holds races every Saturday morning with the distance dependent on the temperature of the water.