Posted by Harry Mackenzie
Wednesday 15th June saw a team of four Penguins compete in the fabulous Midsummer Relay in Tooting Bec Lido. David Attenborough eat your heart out.
Organised by the South London Swimming Club, the event is an annual race in which 36 teams swim a 4 x 4 x 1 relay in a sub-zero lido about a mile long*. The Penguins were represented by Sarah, Fran, Paul and me, with Johnny as our trusted timekeeper (although assigned to officiate over another team to ensure fair play).
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As well organised as the event is (and it is), chaos amusingly unfolds seconds after the start. No lane ropes, no helpful lines on the bottom of the pool to guide you, 36 swimmers at a time and open to all abilities. It is hilarious.
Recklessly swimming each of our first lengths flat out and relying on the tides for the remainder, the mighty Penguins battled to a majestic 8th place.
Post-swim, there was even a tasty falafel flatbread thingy to refuel.
Next year anyone?
*The lido is only 100yds long and probably isn’t even that cold. What a wimp.