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Category: Penguin members

RIP Charlie Mock

4 June 202212 June 2022
Penguin members

We are sad to hear that Charles Mock, legendary Maltese water polo player and coach, great friend and honorary member of Penguin, has passed away.

 

Charlie wearing his orginal water polo cap on a TV programme
Charlie on TV, demonstrating his original goal keeper’s cap

 

Charlie’s long association with Penguin started in 1967 when he became friends with our men’s team while they were playing in a tournament in Malta. Charlie was the goalkeeper for the hosting club, Balluta WPC. Read more about how this friendship started in the Penguin100 story by Charlie’s great friend Malcolm Cromer.

 

Malcolm and Charlie in dinner jackets
Malcolm Cromer with Charlie at the Penguin Dinner in 2013.

 

Charlie played with Balluta WPC, now San Ġiljan ASC, between 1951 and 1973. During this time, he won the Malta National League title five times.

 

Charlie Mock in goal
Charlie in action at Balluta – this was one of his favourite photos from his goalkeeping career.

 

Charlie was a highly respected junior water polo coach who nurtured young players in many clubs across Malta, and he loved distance sea-swimming. He swam the Gozo Channel on four occasions, the last when he was 62 years of age.

 

Charlie was a great storyteller and he had plenty of anecdotes to share about his water polo career and his friendship with the Penguins. He also loved to relate tales of the parts he had played in a number of films made on location in Malta. These included a small speaking role as a German U-boat sailor in Murphy’s War with Peter O’Toole, and a crowd scene behind Brad Pitt in World War Z.

Our Club’s close association with Malta, through Charlie, is illustrated by this article from the Malta Independent newspaper from Wednesday 23 May 2007:

40th Anniversary of Penguins waterpolo club visit to Malta

It was 40 years ago that London club Penguin SC paid a visit to Malta to play some matches. It was an initiative of Carm Borg, then president and also a player of the local Balluta Waterpolo Club.

Their visit here coincided with a tournament which included the participation of the ASA Selection, Neptunes, Sliema ASC and RAF Cyprus. The tournament was held at the old St Julian’s pitch and it was well attended by the numerous followers of this sport on this island.

After that tournament, the Balluta club organized an evening ‘floodlit tournament’ between local clubs Balluta, hosts, Sliema and Neptunes, as well as two English clubs, Penguin and Otters.

Since those days Charlie Mock, the former Balluta and Malta keeper, maintained constant contacts with Penguin SC old boys, through Malcolm Cromer and the late Terry Bushell, the Londoners’ goalkeeper, both of whom frequently returned to Malta for a holiday. One of their youngest players was Jack Neivens who was around 16-17 when the club played here in 1967.

The latest re-union brought together, among others, the likes of Ron Turner (Penguin SC) and Anglu Tonna, a former Balluta stalwart, who are now octogenarians.

During the reception hosted by San Giljan ASC at their club last Saturday, former Balluta players Carm Borg, Charlie Mock, Anglu Tonna, Freddie Grixti, Peter Bonello, presently the Mayor of St Julians, David Martin, Charlie Galea, Eddie Xuereb, Norman Vella and Joe Debono, again mingled with Terry King, Malcolm Cromer, John Whelan, Gerry Jarrett, Lewis Blomfield and Johnnie Lake who joined Valletta WPC in 1968.

It was a memorable and enjoyable evening where past memories were revived.

 

Over the years Charlie welcomed a number of Penguin water polo teams back to Malta and he always had a warm reception for his Penguin friends when they were holidaying Malta.

 

<asters water polo players on the poolside
Charlie with his oldest Penguin friends on a visit to Malta in 2012

 

Charlie wearning hos Penguin polo shirt
Charlie, proudly wearing a Penguin shirt, with masters swimmers Sarah and Johnny Wren during a visit to Malta in 2012.

 

Of course we were always happy to welcome Charlie when he was in the UK and he was a special guest at our Penguin Dinner in 2013.

He will be missed by all Penguins who knew him.

 

Charlie and his wife Bianca
Charlie and his wife Bianca.

 

Our condolences to Bianca, Stephen, Michael, Peter and the rest of Charlie’s family.

RIP Mr Mock.

 

From elsewhere:

Read this tribute to Charlie by one of his Maltese friends, originally published in the Sunday Times of Malta: https://theworldnews.net/mt-news/appreciation-charlie-mock

The Hillingdon Penguin girls: our story

4 June 2022
Penguin 100 Centenary, Penguin members, Water Polo

This Penguin100 Story is by Lize Crone, a player with our Hillingdon junior water polo section.

 

The journey

I first started playing water polo in 2017, when my parents introduced me to the sport as a way to get active after my swimming lessons had ended. I had always loved swimming and could be found in the water on any family holiday. So with the encouragement of my family I decided to attend a trial session at the Hillingdon juniors’ section of West London Penguin, and fell in love immediately. Though my speed, ball skills and strength left a lot to be desired, I immediately felt a passion for the game that I had never felt for any other sport. I returned home on a high and could hardly wait for the next session.

Part of the reason I felt so at home was because of the way us girls formed connections with each other. As there was only a small number of us compared to the vast amount of boys who sometimes overshadowed us, we instantly banded together and made sure to always lift each other up and support one another. The tight group we formed often helped me be more confident and secure.

As more girls joined and we welcomed them into the fold, secretly I hoped our number would one day grow to be enough for a competing squad.

One of the most important developments for girls at Hillingdon Penguin came at the end of 2019, when we received funding to start a once a week training just for girls, to improve our strength, fitness and skills. This helped us all to gain confidence in ourselves and our ability. Unfortunately, COVID halted much of the exciting growth we were making as girls. When we were finally allowed to return to the pool for regular training, girls’ training was unable to return with it until the end of 2021.

However, over the years our group of girls had grown, and we had the numbers to form a squad, albeit a rather bare-bones one. As captain of the team, I am extremely proud to say we were able to bring together enough players together to play at two U16 girls’ tournaments in the London Water Polo League (LWPL). It was an incredible experience to be able to play together for the very first time. While we have definite areas for improvement, we all agree that we performed amazingly and to our utmost extent.

water polo team
Sophie, Yolanda, Thalia, Robyn, Zahra, Órlaith, Vicky, Hannah and I with coach Shaun after our very first U16 London Water Polo League tournament together

 

Water polo game
Some of the action from our London Water Polo League game against Croydon, with Thalia on the ball

 

Yolanda says, ‘Having my first tournament be a girls’ tournament has been an amazing experience, because I know that getting a girls’ team together was such a long process I am extremely happy to help towards creating this awesome squad.’

 

Water polo team
Georgia, Thalia, Zahra, Ishpreet, Alexandra, Sophie, Shaun, Órlaith, Vicky and I at the end of the second tournament of the U16 London Water Polo League

 

team talk on the poolside
Team talk just before the last game of our second tournament ever

 

Development for girls

In the last year or two, the way I play water polo has changed from being just a hobby, to being an ambition too. I first realised I could take water polo further when I was offered the opportunity to trial for the London Regional Academy in September 2021, along with fellow Hillingdon Penguin girls Sophie, Thalia and Órlaith. This helped us to improve our fitness, ball-handling skills and tactical knowledge, as well as providing us an extra night a week to simply enjoy the sport. Our fellow Hillingdon Penguin girl Zahra has also joined the Academy this May, and we are very excited to see the progress she will make.

Sophie, Órlaith and I went on to represent the region at the 2021 U16 Inter-Regionals in Walsall and the 2022 U18 Inter-Regionals in Blackpool, which were very exciting opportunities to play with and against some of the best players of our age.

 

three water polo girls with their coach
Sophie, Órlaith and I at U16 Inter-Regionals in Walsall with coach Shaun, who came to visit

 

Water polo team
Hillingdon Penguin girls Sophie, Órlaith and I and Latymer Penguin Maddie with the U18 Inter-Regional London team and coaches

 

In November of 2021, some of us also had the opportunity to play together with the Penguins from Latymer at the annual South-East Inter-County Championships for U16 girls, from which we came away with silver medals.

 

Hillingdon Penguin girls Sophie, Robyn, Órlaith and I with girls from the Latymer Penguins, wearing our silver Inter-County medals.

 

Sophie says, ‘I think it’s awesome that we can go and compete together as we help each other grow as a team. As someone who has competed at a higher level with the London regional team, being part of development at my own club is really nice as I can help newcomers and younger girls with the knowledge I have picked up but also develop my own skills such as communication and leadership. In general it is great to be involved in a whole team of girls eager to participate in (and get better at) such a physically demanding sport. I hope we can recruit more girls to expand our little water polo family into a big one.’

Personally, I think it is amazing that as a regional player I have the opportunity to pioneer a pathway of development which will hopefully allow many girls like myself to improve their skills and achieve their water polo dreams.

It is clear to see that not only my development, but the development of all the girls at Hillingdon Penguin is down to the amazing nurturing environment that is created by Sue and the coaches and the opportunities that they offer, so a big thank you to all of them. We all know we would be nowhere without their support.

Young and old

Looking back at my initial months of water polo, seeing older girls at training was really important in allowing me to be confident in my identity as a girl playing water polo. Now that I am one of the older girls, I feel inspired to look after and nurture younger and newer players. It is an incredible joy to witness the passion for our wonderful sport grow in younger girls.

On the occasions that I have been asked to coach at our girls’ session because Shaun, our usual coach, wasn’t available, I have found it an absolute privilege and it has increased my love for the sport even more than I thought possible.

Coach Shaun says, ‘I’m very grateful to have such a wonderful group of athletes at Hillingdon Penguin. It makes coaching so rewarding, I look forward to seeing how far we can take these players. They have so much potential and talent considering we only train once a week. It’s been a privilege seeing them grow through my program. I’m so proud of all my players.’

 

Water polo players
The girls who train together on a Tuesday evening

 

Elizabeth (one of the U12s) says, ‘My time at the girls water polo trainings are great, I love training with the older girls to learn new things, and girls my age too. I always look forward to it.’

Robyn says, ‘Joining a male dominated sport was always a daunting task but due to the support and kindness of others it quickly became a very enjoyable weekly activity. Personally I think it is such a great way of joining in with a fun sport. The skills developed can help with future life skills and improve our understanding of teamwork. There are many ways you can take part and take up roles to help younger girls enjoy the sport as much as I do now. Joining a girls team was an exciting change and a challenge to take part in. The training is great for younger girls as the older ones can help pass their knowledge onto the next generation of players.’

Once more, I’d like to extend a thank you from all the girls at Hillingdon Penguin to all the coaches and others behind the scenes who support us to be the best players we can be. We would be nowhere without you!
 

 

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

My Penguin Story: Graham and John Martin-Dye

18 March 202219 March 2022
History, Olympics, Penguin 100 Centenary, Penguin members, Water Polo

In this post Graham Martin-Dye tells his own Penguin story and that of his father, John…

John and Graham Martin-Dye in their dress suits at a Penguin Dinner
Graham with his Dad, John, at a Penguin Dinner

 

Born on 3rd January 1978 in Watford General Hospital to John and Delia Martin-Dye, I started swimming at Watford Swimming Club aged five, and I got into water polo aged seven or eight, watching my dad and older brother Steven.

I played for Watford seniors when I was about 12 and was soon scoring goals due to my fast swimming speed. I broke numerous club records and swam at county and southern county level.

When I was 15 I went with Watford to Malta for an annual tournament with teams from countries all over Europe. Penguin were there too and, because my Dad was a Penguin, the Penguin team treated me like one of their own, especially coach John “Shakey Lakey’!

A few year later, as my coach, Shakey would give me my first opportunity to play National League. He and Dad coached together and were great mates.

Graham Martin Dye with the Penguin Junior water polo team with his father and Shakey Lake as their coaches
Me in the Penguin junior water polo team in the 1990s, with my Dad (right) and Shakey Lake (left) as our coaches

 

At the Malta tournament, I watched a player from Yugoslavia called Igor Milanovic. He was one of the best centre forwards in the world and he inspired me to get better and gave me the desire to play international polo. He was an amazing player and scored some amazing goals.

I joined Penguin in 1994 and played my first National League game away against Cheltenham. Ian Spooner played. He was absolutely amazing and a real hero of mine growing up.

I loved playing for Penguin and we went on a pre-season tour to Konstanz Germany, where I played with the likes of Paul Skerm, Jerome Read, Paul Whatley and Graham Forbes.

Water polo team
2002 British Champions
Back row: Steve Baker (Coach) Aram Eidipour, Bruce Elder, Andy Holt, Sinan Naipoglu (GK), Chris Evans, Igor Zagaruiko and Ian ‘Grimbo’ Grimwood.
Middle row: Steve Cooter, Graham Martin-Dye, Tom Perry (c), Danny Davis, Wayne Davis and Paul Whatley.
Front row: Paul Skerm, Roger McPherson (GK), Jerome Read and Nick Beard.

 

At 16 I was selected to play for Great Britain in the European Junior Water Polo Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia. It was a fantastic experience and taught me so much about international water polo and the level you had to be at in order to compete with the best.

I made the England senior team at 18 and played in the home nations in Scotland, where our goal keeper David Bush got red flagged in the first quarter of the final against Scotland. Luckily, we went on to win!

I then had a break from the international game for four years to focus on my swimming career. I was training for Sydney Olympics 2000, but just missed out on selection.

In 2000 I returned to water polo and was selected for the England team that played in the 2002 Commonwealth water polo championships in Manchester, winning the bronze medal. I also played with Penguin in the team that won the British Water Polo Championships at Sheffield the same year.

Water polo team photo
October 2002 and off the back of winning the British Championships title,  we played in the LEN Champions Cup, held in Malta. Sadly we returned home to London empty handed
Back row: Graham Martin-Dye, Bruce Elder, Simon Pemberton and Rodger Mcpherson
Middle Row: Chris Evans, Mark Bullerwell, Ed Morris, Nick Hume and Joe Ernst
Front row: Stephen Cooter, Aram Eidipour, Tom Perry, Wayne Davis and Jerome Read

 

In 2003 I left the UK to play water polo in Australia for the Balmain Tigers in the Australian National League from 2004 to 2010. We won bronze in 2004 and 2005.

All in all I had a great swimming and water polo career and I now live in Australia where I have a wonderful wife and three children. I also still try to enjoy some masters and Australian country water polo from time to time.

******

My father, John Martin-Dye was born on 21 May 1940 in Shepherds Bush where he grew up in Thornfield Road.

He joined Penguin when he was eight.

Young John Martin-Dye with his trophies
Dad with his swimming awards and trophies

 

Aged 15 he did a back flip off a diving board and was too close, hitting his chin on the board and he lost his two front teeth!

Newspaper cutting
1961 Penguin Swimming Club Champions
From left to right: PJ Randall, Ian McClelland, John Martin-Dye, Howard Beesely, ‘Spud’ Murphy (Club Coach), Craig Gibson, Keith Young, Ronald Clapp, John Pickering, John Pettican, Keith Clapp, Terry Lines, Jack Nievens

 

Dad’s list of achievements in swimming is long and impressive:

  • He swam for Great Britain from 1960-1966.
  • In the 1960 Rome Olympics he came 4th in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay team which set a new European record.
  • At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics he was 7th in the 4x100m Freestyle relay.
  • He swam in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games twice, winning bronze in the 4x200m and 4x100m Freestyle relays at the 1962 games in Perth, and bronze in the 4x100m Freestyle relay at the 1966 games in Kingston, Jamaica.
  • At the 1961 ASA British National Championships he won the 110yd, 220yd and 440yds Freestyle, winning the 400yds Freestyle again in 1963.

He was also a fine water polo player player with the Penguin National League team from late 50s, I think, to 1968.

Water polo team
Penguin Water Polo Second Team probably mid- to late-50s, with the London Water Polo League Referees Cup, the Middlesex County Water Polo League shield and an unknown trophy
Back row: Ken Rogers, John Martin-Dye, Ted (Curly) Gerald and Terry Bushell
Front row: Terry Fray, Lewis Bloomfield and Bobby Wollaston

 

During this time, alongside Shakey Lake and other Penguin greats, the team won the British Championships in Walsall in 1965 beating Cheltenham 6-5. Dad scored five goals and Les Baldwin scored the other. Ron Turner was captain of the team.

1965 Winners of the ASA Club Championships
Back row: John Lake, Terry King, Pete Richardson, Bobby Wollaston and Brian Randall
Middle row: Dave Littlechild, Lew Bloomfield, Terry Bushell, Gerry Jarret, Bernard Castle and George Pepper
Front row: Mike Rogers, Bill Waite, Ron Turner, John Martin-Dye and Les Baldwin

 

 

 

 

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.

My Penguin Story: Bobby and Alan Wollaston

19 February 2022
Penguin 100 Centenary, Penguin members, Water Polo

My dad, Bobby, joined Penguin in the 1950s as a junior. He started his aquatic career with Amateur SC who were based at the Prince of Wales swimming baths in Kentish Town. Dad soon became a regular with Penguin and his swimming background helped him become a workhorse of the team.

Dad was a loyal person and continued his association with Amateur for many years taking part in their annual relay race with the Northern Lights club which was then based at Hornsey Road baths. This annual race was in the Guinness book of records as the oldest annual swimming event in the world.

At a time when Penguin regularly put out four teams in the local water polo leagues, Dad progressed through the ranks to the first team.

 

Photo of all Penguin SC members and trophies
Penguin SC probably mid to late 50s,
Back row L-R: Frank Blissett, Bernard Castle, Ted (Curly) Gerald, John Martin-Dye, Dave Stanborough, Peter Richardson, Norman Massey, Terry Bushell, Bill Wait, Les Baldwin, Ron Turner.
Third row L-R: Derek Roberts, Tony Littlechild, Mac McDonald, Bryan (Swaz) Randall, Les (Pickles) Pickering, Brian Crompton, Ken Rogers,Terry Fray, Lewis Bloomfield, Peter Harmon, Nobby Neivens.
Second row L-R: Bill Shepherd, Horace (Horry) Connelly, Dave Littlechild, Harry Fray, Spud Murphy, George Pepper, Joe (Smiler) Barrett, Pop Neivens, Dick Lawrence, Bill Usher.
Front row L-R: ??, Ken Power, Pat (Buddha) Randall, ??, Bobby Wollaston, Jack Dengell, John Wilkinson, ??, ??.

 

In 1961 Dad married my Mum, Cathy, with Penguin teammate Lew Bloomfield as his best man. Then two years later I arrived.

 

Bobby shaking hands with is best man Lew
Bobby with Lew Bloomfield as his Best Man

 

Most people of a certain age can remember where they were when England won the World Cup. In 1966 I was on my very first Penguin tour to Malta at the age of three where I was in safe hands with Shakey helping out on toddler watch!

 

Family on the beach
With my parents on a water polo tour in Malta

 

Man with child on his shoulders
Shakey with me on his shoulders

 

Dad continued to play first team polo and my early memories were as a toddler either sitting in the footbaths of Lime Grove, Nine Elms and places like Ironmonger Row whilst Dad was playing, or swimming behind the goal at the shallow end dodging the wayward shots.

Training sessions usually ended with me being kept quiet with a Coke and a bag of crisps while Dad and his fellow Penguins frequented the famous Shepherds Bush Cricket Club on the way home. Years later Dad would recount how Les Pickles once gave him a lift home from the Cricket Club after a lengthier than usual night. When Dad told Les to go straight ahead at the next roundabout, Les asked, “Which roundabout?”. Dad’s reply: “The one you are on!”. Members such as Les Pickles, Jack Dengel, Ron Turner and Bill Usher were always there in the background helping the Club run smoothly.

Dad would talk about the epic games against Cheltenham or the games in the bleak outdoor pool in Birkenhead, and how local rivalries were cemented against Sutton & Cheam.

Penguin has always been a great family with great relationships with many pool managers. Uxbridge Open Air Pool used to be a regular venue on a Sunday afternoon; once the public left our Penguin players and their other halves would help tidy up, then use the facility until it got dark. This approach was repeated with Pete Kerslake at Clissold Road and Dave Webzell at Potters Bar, allowing us to benefit from a whole host of extra training time.

 

Photo of water polo team with their trophies
Penguin SC water polo Second Team probably mid to late 50s, with the London Water Polo League Referees Cup, the Middlesex County Water Polo League shield and an unknown trophy.
Back row L-R: Ken Rogers, John Martin-Dye, Ted (Curly) Gerald, Terry Bushell.
Front row L-R: Terry Fray, Lewis Bloomfield, Bobby Wollaston.

 

Following in Dad’s footsteps I started my aquatics career as a swimmer and, with my sister Jayne and brother Alan also swimming, as a family we spent most of our early lives travelling between pools. Even with the three of us children training seven days a week, Dad still continued to not only play in the local water polo leagues but he also became a grade one referee travelling the country.

Having spent my younger years swimming and diving, I decided to take up water polo at around the age of 14. Dad then got even more involved. He started running the Penguin junior team from which many became regulars in the Penguin first team – Paul and Dave Bryan, Ian Spooner, Peter Falcini and Mark Harmon to name but a few.

Being a lefty put me in good stead for my career. I started in the fourth team playing alongside Dad and a number of other Penguin legends, including Ron Turner and John Lake. I look back on fondly on these memories and the experience I gained was invaluable.

I progressed through the Penguin teams as well as representing Middlesex and the Southern Counties at all age groups and playing for both the England and the GB junior side.

Dad continued his involvement with the Club, stepping in to coach the first team as a when needed as well as serving for many years on the Middlesex Water Polo Committee.

Perhaps one of Dad’s proudest moments was when, as President at a Penguin Dinner, he took wine with the Jayne, Alan and I as we had all represented GB internationally in water polo and synchronised swimming. In fact between the three of us we had national medals in swimming, water-polo, synchro and diving.

 

Alan and Bobby at a Penguin Dinner
Me with Dad at a Penguin Dinner

 

There is obviously something in the Wollaston genes which ties us to the water as even now Alan continues to play water polo and Jayne and I coach swimming and synchro respectively.

Dad’s passion for the sport certainly was passed on. I have a whole host of fantastic memories and many that can’t be written down in full – what goes on tour stays on tour – involving trips to Malta, Naples, Belgium, Liverpool, Germany, Holland and Denmark with the likes of Ian Spooner, Robbie Arnold, Graham Forbes, Paul Whatley, Paul Howard, Gary Simonds, Robbie Arnold, Martin Blenkinsop, Paul Whatley Steve Baker, Ian Grimwood, Miguel Ortiz and of course Shakey. I even had my stag do as part of the St Niclaas Water Polo Tournament!

Being part of Penguin is more than being a Club member. In the latter stages of Mum and Dad’s illnesses the support that Paul and Jayne and I received from the Penguins was humbling, borne out by the numbers of Penguins past and present who came to both their funerals.

I am still playing and enjoy doing so. The other week I turned out for Enfield against Penguin and managed to get on the score sheet a few times in a convincing win – Grimbo will vouch for this! It is so good to still be able to catch up with many my former Penguin team mates from over the years when I see them at different games and tournaments.

Penguin is a rare and unique Club; it was Dad’s passion and something that he always held close to his heart. He was the proudest Dad ever while he watching Paul, Jayne and I compete. For me he was, and always will be, my hero who is sorely missed by many but never forgotten.

Alan Wollaston
Manibus Pedibusque

 

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.

My Penguin Story: Karen Brown

23 January 202223 January 2022
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.

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