If you’re strolling through Hyde Park this weekend, clutching a latte and uttering such frivolous exclamations like haven’t the leaves already changed to a lovely colour already and it’s a touch more chilly this weekend, then a few more steps might lead you to something a little out of the ordinary.
Once you reach the waters, you’ll see the usual ducks nosing around, but you also might catch a glimpse of *squints* people? In the water? You best believe it.
Every year, 6,000 swimming, cold-ignoring daredevils dive into the waters at Hyde Park for Swim Serpentine, which is taking place this Saturday, September 14. This time last year, London was enjoying unusually toasty temperatures – perfect for, say, some outdoor swimming – for September, wth the mercury reaching the mid-twenties. In 2024? Not so much. It’s set to be a colder one this weekend, with highs around around 16°C. We’d say wrap up warm, but that doesn’t really apply here.
Anyone aged 10-86 is allowed to sign up for the big Swim Serpentine, with event offering the half-mile, mile and two-mile distances this time around. Those taking the latter are often filled with partakers of the London Classics, which also means completing the London Marathon and RideLondon100 in the same year.
All places for Swim Serpentine are sadly booked up this year, but you can always head over anyway for a view of the action and plan your dive into the waters in London next Autumn! You’ll catch a lovely view of the action from the Serpentine Bridge if you do decide to pop by. Swimmers: goggles at the ready. Walkers: Autumn jackets prepared. It’s time for a big outdoor water chill.
Swim Serpentine takes place this Saturday (September 14) at Hyde Park, with the action running between 8:15am – 6:30pm. You can find out more about the annual event via their website.