Otter 150th Celebrations: Swimming & Water Polo Festival

In 2019 Otter wanted to celebrate its 150th anniversary in style and so joined together with Swim England, which was also celebrating 150 years of the swimming governing body, and planned a unique swimming and water polo festival. We wanted to put on an event which was a bit different to the normal open meets. Something that brought together masters swimmers from across the country to celebrate all the best bits of masters swimming: the camaraderie, friendship, occasional athleticism, and perhaps a little competition. The programme paid homage to Otter and swimming’s history, resurrecting the plunge and some old English backstroke for the day, alongside more recognisable events.

Read More

Swim England and Otter celebrate 150 years

2019 is a year of celebration for both Otter Swimming Club and Swim England as they mark their 150th anniversaries.  One of the highlights of the year will be a unique team gala event at the London Aquatic Centre on Sunday 14 July which provides an opportunity for Masters swimmers all over the country to participate in these celebrations.

Otter has secured sole use of the main Olympic competition pool in London for a fun, informal gala which will include relay and individual swimming races. The teams will comprise many different Masters clubs including some of our traditional rivals (and friends!) such as Spencer, Barnet and Teddington.  It is a fantastic opportunity not only to race in the Olympic pool but to join in the fun and celebrate the camaraderie and longevity of masters swimming. Otter is putting together a programme to include a mixture of current and historic events which we hope will feature the plunge as well as some old English backstroke and novelty relays. 

Swim England is coordinating an “All Stars Team North” and “ All Stars Team South” so that masters swimmers from across the country can join us.  If you would like to be involved please contact:

Team South: Simon Veale (simon.veale@outlook.com)

Team North: Verity Dobbie and Nicola Latty (otter150.teamnorth@gmail.com

Any past and present Otter swimmers who would like to be involved should email us at otter150gala@gmail.com. Please save the date now!  

2019 represents a significant milestone for Otter and we would be delighted if you would celebrate with us by supporting this special event. 

Details:

Where: London Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park, London E20 2ZQ

When: Sunday 14 July 2019.  Warm-up at 10am with racing scheduled to finish at 2pm at the latest, with socialising to follow!

Annual Dinner 2018

The Otter Annual Dinner will be held at Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London WC1N 1HT, on Friday 20 April from 7pm to 1am. Tickets are priced at £52 which includes formal three-course meal plus table wine followed by a disco with music from our own resident DJ Talbott!

Read More

Otter Christmas Party

We are happy to announce details for this year Christmas Party.
 
All are welcome from all aspects of the club including Water Polo and Swimming. Please come and join us to celebrate the festive period together!

Read More

Otter 1/4 Mile

Congratulations to all of our swimmers and spectators that participated in our open water series for 2017! This years season culminated in the 1/4 Mile race and water polo match on 12 August.

Results:
1st Alex Fraser
2nd Joana Sandrin Gauer
3rd Dan Shunn

Read More

Otter Mile Report

It was a decidedly grey and drizzly evening for the 2017 edition of the Otter mile, run on Friday 28 July and taking in a pleasant and winding portion of the Thames at Windsor. 13 swimmers braved the conditions, along with an array of supporters. Having taken a boat ride a mile upstream the swimmers made their way back to Windsor leisure centre with various degrees of urgency.

Read More

Half-Mile Handicap Report

On Friday 14 July, 34 swimmers and supporters made their way to Henley on Thames for Otter's annual half mile handicap. In perfect conditions, 21 swimmers took to the Thames and glided effortlessly down to the Henley Sailing Club. We were treated to a flying visit from Barbara Woodward, in town for the ambassadors’ conference and, adding weight to the argument that the best way to secure a good handicap is to leave the country for a prolonged period (ambassadorial posting optional), she reigned supreme, winning the JW Rope trophy. 

Read More