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Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 31 December 2008

The Mens’ all-comers race was won by Richard Hime

Honestly, it’s not as cold as it looks!

Swimmers brave the cold for the annual dip in the Hampstead Heath ponds

IT was 50 years ago to the day when Chris Connelly first lifted the Highgate Lifebuoys’ swimming club cup for winning the Christmas Day race – and the 67-year-old turned in an impressive performance in the Men’s Pond on Hampstead Heath last week to get his hands on the trophy again five decades later.
Chris, who now lives in Clacton, became the youngest-ever winner of the annual chilly challenge back in 1958. And this year, the retired dock worker – who keeps in shape with regular swims in the sea, rounds of golf and a daily jog – saw off around 15 challengers.
But because the race is a handicap, it took him a while to know how he’d done.
He said: “My success actually came as a bit of a surprise as the results are calculated on handicap and I didn’t think I’d won. It was a great feeling to win again, all those years after first getting my hands on the cup. It’s a competition close to my heart and something I’ve done all my life.
“I swim all year round off the coast so I’m used to cold water. Then, when the race starts, adrenaline kicks in and takes you through.”
While Mr Connelly was successful in the 50-yard members’ race, his grandson, Lloyd Bruce, came fifth in the open men’s event.
Mr Connelly said: “Lloyd wants to go back next year and do better and I’ll certainly be there to defend my title.”
The women’s race was impressively won by 23-year-old Vanessa Hammond, who works at the Wellcome Institute in Euston Road and swims at the Ladies’ Pond
The all-comers men’s cup was scooped by Richard Hime, who got into the Christmas spirit by donning a Santa hat for the event.
The 43-year-old, who is a health and safety officer, joked: “I specialise in the health and safety aspects of cold water shock immersion syndrome.”
Mulled wine and mince pies served up by the lifeguards awaited those brave enough to face the 44-degree F water – and for the spectators who had to brave their boasting afterwards.

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