If you fancy jumping into a freezing cold lake, more specifically the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, on Christmas morning then this is the perfect event for you.
The lido is popular for swimmers during the Summer months when the water might be a fraction above 4′C, but this is a race for those who really want a refreshing dip or are likely to suffer from a massive hangover (do make sure you’re sober first!).
Author J. M. Barrie awarded the first Peter Pan Cup in 1904, although the race has been going on since 1864 with a 100 yard swimming race at 9am every Christmas Day.
To take part you need to be a member of the Serpentine Swimming Club, although memberships can be picked up for very little at the poolside or contact them via their web site.
Naturally there will be welcoming blankets at the end of the race…if you call white straight jackets “welcoming”, as anyone doing this has to be clinically nuts, don’t they?
More useful links:
Serpentine Lido web site
Serpentine Swimming Club
Hotels in Hyde Park
Tourist attractions in Hyde Park
One Trackback
[...] If you’re in London on Christmas Day and want to try this, see the Peter Pan Cup. [...]