United Kingdom Events and Festivals

12/25/2009 - 12/25/2009Peter Pan Christmas Day Race

While most people are opening presents and already thinking about the day's feasting, members of the Serpentine Lake Swimming Club in London battle it out in the annual Christmas Day swim across the lake. Established in 1864, the 'Serps', as they are affectionately known, is one of the oldest swimming clubs in the UK and each year the event attracts a raft of brave competitors as well as plenty of supporters who come to cheer on the participants as they race the traditional 91m (100 yard) swim. The competition is open to anyone but they must have been a member of the club for several months and have competed in the full Winter Series; one of the reasons for this is to ensure competitors are acclimatised as the shock of the icy waters can prove fatal for the unprepared.