Category: Masters Swimming

My Penguin Story: Karen Brown


Masters Swimming, Penguin 100 Centenary, Penguin members

 

My journey with the Penguins began when I was looking for a good swimming club to represent at Masters swimming.

As a young girl I was brought up in Australia where I swam at all sorts of venues, from swimming pools to the sea and rivers. I also did competitive swimming there for many years for a club in Adelaide, South Australia called The Reynella ASC (now South Coast Swimming Club).

When I came to this country I wanted to continue swimming so I did some training, first on my own, and then as my fitness grew I started looking for a club. This was before the internet was widespread but I managed to get a list of masters swimming clubs in London. I phoned the number for the (then) Hammersmith Penguin Swimming Club, a Mr Ian Williams answered and the rest is history!

Ian Williams was friendly on the phone and very encouraging so I popped along with my then husband Graham to the Janet Adegoke swimming pool in West London to have a swim with other members. The people there were warm and welcoming and soon I fell in love with the Club.

I count the late Ian Williams and his daughter Tara, Louis Lemieux, the late Ron Turner, and Sarah and Johnny Wren as my mentors, some of whom went to the first gala that I participated in at Barnet Copthall pool in June 2000 where I won gold and silver medals. The way they cheered me on in my event was awesome. Another person I met for the first time was the late John ‘Shakey’ Lake. He inspired me also.

I toured the country representing West London Penguin in many events between 2000 and 2014.

 

Karen Brown and other swimmers in the pool ready to start a backstroke race
Karen, in the red Penguin swim cap.

 

I swam in all kinds of meets from the Southern Counties long and short course, Middlesex Masters, Isle of Wight Masters, British Masters long course championships and the Open short course championships, gaining a number of medals.

I had some successes at national level, all in the backstroke, winning gold in the Ladies 55-59 years 200m backstroke at the ASA National Masters Championships in 2011.

In September 2021 I saw the Barnet Copthall Sprint Meet listed on the Swim England website. After careful consideration I entered three events. My age group is now 65 to 69 years, but nothing could prepare me for the shock of how slow my times were: I swam 100m backstroke in 2:19:65, 50m backstroke in 1:06:45, and 50m freestyle in 29.51. So slow! But, bearing in mind I haven’t competed for 10 years or swum in a pool for more than five years until April 2021 when Boris Johnson said we could use the leisure centres again, perhaps the times weren’t so bad.

I met all the masters swimmers that I used to know and had a good day, and I came away with a gold, silver and bronze, so I’m still a medal-winning Penguin!

 

This post is part of our Penguin100 series of stories from Penguins past and present, sharing what being a member of the Club means to them as we celebrate our centenary.

Henley Thames Half Marathon


Masters Swimming, Open Water Swimming

By Penguin masters swimmer, Jennifer Gambrell.

Last weekend, I joined 800 others to swim the Henley Thames Marathon. I swam the ‘half marathon’ distance, which covered 5.5km from Hurley to the Marlow Suspension Bridge. There was also a 10k swim option, which started closer to Henley and then joined in with the half distance route.

Swimmers in the river at the Henley Thames Half Marathon 1
Swimmers in the river.

This was my first open water swim. I signed up in the middle of lockdown as something to look forward to and motivate me to get back in the pool once we were able. The river setting was good for a beginner as sighting was straightforward, there were minimal wakes and currents, and the multiple start-waves created generous spacing between swimmers.

The views while swimming were lovely. We passed by gorgeous residential areas, a grassy, tree-lined towpath, and a church garden where wedding photos were taking place. Spectators could walk the majority of the route, which was a lot of fun. Boat traffic was minimal, and the race had organized plenty of staff in kayaks to keep us safe and to one side of the river. The water temperature was around 18 degrees – most swimmers were in wetsuits, as the organizers required, though they did have a limited number of non-wetsuit slots. I’m far too acclimated to warm, indoor pools, so it was the wetsuit for me!

 

Swimmer climbing out of the river at one of the locks.
Climbing out of the river at one of the locks.

At the end of the race, I made sure to drink a can of Coke, which many fellow Penguins recommended to me as the ultimate cure for any river bacteria I might have come in contact with. This turned out to be sound advice. Now, back to the pool!

Herne Bay Pier to Pier Swim


Masters Swimming, Open Water Swimming

Last weekend some of our masters swimmers – Suzy, Ashley, Sarah. Johnny and Clemence – headed to Herne Bay on the north Kent coast for the Active Life Pier to Pier swim.

They were joined by ex-Penguin Fran, and Ed who cheered them and took lots of photos.

 

Penguin swimmers wearing team hoodies
Penguin swimmers before the start

 

Waiting for the start it was cold, raining and windy and the sea was pretty choppy.  Even though the event was timed to coincide with the slack tide, it promised to be a challenging swim. But the buzz of all the swimmers gathered on the beach made for a great atmosphere.

 
Penguin swimmers on the beach
Clemence, Johnny, Sarah, Ashley and Suzy

 

Fran set off in the first wave for the full 3km distance from Hampton Pier to Herne Bay Pier and back.

 

View across the bay from the start line
The start line looking along the swim course

 

A few minutes later Ashley was on her way in the 1.5k wave, with Johnny, Suzy, Clemence and Sarah to follow in the final wave swimming 750m.

 

Ashley waving from the start line in the sea
Ashley waving as she swam to the start line.

 

Swimmers in the sea
Clemence working out her swim line with Suzy and Johnny in line behind

 

All distances featured an outward swim parallel to the beach, turning at the appointed buoy and heading back to the exit on the beach. 

 
Beach huts with line of swimmers in the seas behind
The race is on

 

Everyone was surprised by how warm the water felt getting in. 

The outward leg was into the wind and made for slow progress but everyone found their rhythm and settled into their stroke to battle through the waves. The way back benefited from the tail wind, although the turning incoming tide made it interesting trying to hold a good line without being push ashore!

 

view of the beach towards the swim start line
The swim exit on the beach.

 

This was a well organised, friendly and well-priced event and there was agreement all round to do it again next year.

Afterwards the skies cleared and Team Penguin made the most of the warm, sunny afternoon with well-deserved fish and chips, and gelato in nearby Whitstable.

 

Penguin swimmers eating fish and chips
Fish and chips in Whitstable

 

Penguin swimmers on the beach
Team Penguin – Fran, Sarah, Ashley, Clemence, Johnny, Suzy and Ed – in the sunshine after the swim

 

Penguin results

750m
Sarah Wren: 5th overall, 3rd female and first in category
Clemence Grochalska: 9th overall and 2nd in category
Johnny Wren: 12th overall
Suzy Carter: 13th overall and 3rd in category

1.5k
Ashley Henley: 26th overall

3k
Fran Lou: 37th overall and 3rd in category

A light at the end of the tunnel


Masters Swimming, Water Polo

It’s been a long tough 14 months with the pools closed for much of the time. Our own Zoom fitness sessions, the Joe Wicks workouts and Yoga with Adriene just aren’t the same as being in the water with other Penguins.

But now it feels like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

Our Hillingdon Penguin and Latymer Penguin junior water polo players went back in the water a couple of weeks ago and it’s great to see them playing the sport they love.

 

Children playing water polo
Hillingdon Penguin junior water polo

 

Children in the swimming pool throwing water polo balls
Latymer Penguin junior water polo

 

This week Boris confirmed that the government Roadmap is on track which means our over-18 water polo players and masters swimmers will be once again enjoying pool-based training from next Monday.

One of our masters swimmers Gill sums things up nicely. “I’ve missed the company of other friendly and dedicated club swimmers, and the feeling of satisfaction I get after a club training session.”

Water polo player Pat has similar feelings. “I’ve not only missed the sport, the competition and British Water Polo League weekends, but I have missed my friends and the sense of community and belonging I get from Penguin Ladies.”

 

 

For masters swimmer Louis, the extended time out of the water has had more painful consequences. “I believe the lack of regular training during the lockdowns has resulted in suffering two two-month episodes of lower back and cervical compressed nerves.”

What is Louis most looking forward to from next week? “Some supervised training. And pub sessions!”

It’s a reply that probably reflects the mood of many of our over-18 Penguins.

 

 

Getting all of our Penguins back in the water has taken a lot of work. There have been negotiations over pool time with operators. There have been risk assessments to write. There have been booking systems and registers to set up. There have been health declaration forms to send out to all members and responses to collate.

We owe a very big thank you to our Welfare Officer and COVID Lead, Grimbo, and all of the section managers and coaches who have given so much time to make it happen. We’re also grateful to all those parents who have helped – and are still helping – with arrangements to keep everyone safe at our juniors’ sessions.

With things gradually getting back to normal in this, our centenary year, we can now look forward to a bright future for the next 100 years.

 

Farewell John ‘Shakey’ Lake


History, Masters Swimming, Penguin members, Water Polo

We are sad to say goodbye to John ‘Shakey’ Lake who passed away on Sunday 14 March 2021.

 

John Lake raising a glass during his presidential speech at a Penguin Club Dinner
John ‘Shakey’ Lake, as President at a Penguin Dinner.

 

Shakey was one of the most popular of our members ever.

As a teenager, he started his water polo career with Sutton and Cheam but very soon moved to Penguin. He remained a member for over 60 years during which time he served as Club Captain and as President. His contribution to the Club as a swimmer, player, coach, and Committee member was exceptional and, in recognition of this, he was elected as a Life Member.

Shakey became known throughout the swimming and water polo world not only for his skill as a coach but also for his very likeable personality. He was an excellent raconteur and always fun to be with and played a major role in solidifying the Club through challenging times.

As a masters swimmer Shakey was a European backstroke champion and record holder. Even at the age of 80, he was a very energetic, dedicated, passionate, and inspiring coach. 

RIP Shakey. You will not be forgotten and we send our love to Joan and your family.

Celebrate Shakey’s life

Please share your memories and photos of Shakey via this link: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/p5SHA1uj