Preview: Take a festive dip

Saturday 20 December 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

In what has inexplicably become a self-flagellatory festive tradition, hundreds of Londoners will be diving into cold ponds of dirty water on Christmas morning. The most famous event is in Hyde Park where members of the Serpentine Swimming Club race for the Peter Pan Cup, donated by JM Barrie in 1904. It probably won't be too much of a disappointment to discover that this is a members-only event, but spectators (and TV crews) are welcome - the lunacy commences at 8am. The Lifebuoys Club on Hampstead Heath organises a 50-yard race for the foolhardy at 10.30am at the men's pool near Merton Lane. The event is free, open to all-comers and, although women are not officially allowed, anyone keen enough to turn up should be admitted. Finally, the open-air Hampton Pool (info: 0181-979 9933) offers a less masochistic alternative. Its waters are clean, heated to 82 degrees and the pool is open between 8am and midday with a smoked salmon and bucks fizz breakfast on offer in the cafe upstairs.

Peter Conchie

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in