The Ladies’ Pond will be open as normal from 07.30 on Christmas morning until 09.30, when the lifeguards will move over to the Men’s Pond for the Christmas Day races. The Ladies’ Race is at 11.00 but be there at least fifteen minutes earlier to register if you want to compete.
Normal opening hours apply on 1 January with the first swim at 07.30. The traditional New Year’s Day swim at the Ladies’ Pond (women only) will start at 12.00 noon. Mulled wine, tea and coffee will be supplied; please bring food to share.
In time for Christmas, The Ponds film is available to buy on DVD and Blu-Ray, together with a variety of film-related merchandise, from the Ponds Film website.
For anyone interested in awards, there are rumours (as yet unconfirmed) that the film may be nominated for a BAFTA in 2020.
In 21st Century Britain, no one should be sleeping, or dying, on the streets. Crisis works to put a stop to this (and not just at Christmas).
The Parliament Hill Lido will host a Crisis Icebreaker on Saturday 25 January 2020 to support this vital cause, and a relay team of regular swimmers from Kenwood Ladies’ Pond will take part.
Crisis really does save and turn around many lives every year. Best known for its Christmas shelters across London and the UK, it also runs year-round services for homeless people.
Throughout the year Crisis runs fundraising events, including the Crisis Icebreaker swims which provide a sobering reminder of the temperatures endured by many people who are street homeless, as well as a fantastic opportunity to get involved, support Crisis and raise money for the cause.
If you can, please sponsor the Kenwood Regulars(Opi Bell, Nicky Mayhew, Pauline McCulloch and Mary Powell) to help Crisis make a difference for more homeless people in 2020.
Ladies, join us to celebrate Winter Solstice, the shortest day, on Sunday 22 December, 7.30am. If you can, gather at the gate to the Ladies Pond at 7.15am with lanterns to greet the dawn before we swim and share breakfast goodies. Hope to see you there!
Everyone is invited to the annual KLPA Winter Tea Party on Sunday 24 November from 3 – 6.00pm at Highgate Library, Chester Road, N19 5DH (use the Croftdown Road entrance). It’s an opportunity to get together with other swimmers over tea and cake; please bring food to share if you can.
At 5.00pm we will show City Swimmers, the 2006 film made by our fellow swimmer Margaret Dickinson to celebrate open water swimming and the right to swim on Hampstead Heath.
An invitation from lifeguard Jane Smith: ‘Ladies, why not fly by the pond for the Annual Witches’ Gathering, 07.30am, Thursday 31 October. Swim in your hat and share cauldron offerings for breakfast . . . carved pumpkins, best hat and fabulous food competitions for those who discover their inner witch!’
Now that it’s dark when the pond opens at 7.00, with visibility often further reduced by rain or mist, it’s important for your own safety that the life guards can see you when you swim.
Orange or yellow fluorescent KLPA hats can be a solution for those who don’t get their heads wet and are available for £5 each from Mary Powell. To order email mary_powell@blueyonder.co.uk.
For those who swim with their head in the water, we have sourced some high-visibility fluorescent yellow silicon swimming caps which are available for £5 each from the lifeguards office. (Please note these are not the official KLPA swim caps which are available at the same price from cinnamon.catherine@gmail.com).
SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER: The temperature is dropping and we will soon be enjoying or enduring winter swimming (the limit line will halve the size of the pond once the temperature falls below 12 degrees). Whether you are an old hand or considering swimming through the winter for the first time, you will be very welcome at our annual WINTER SWIMMERS’ BREAKFAST between 8 and 10 am, where, in addition to coffee and croissants, abundant supplies of practical advice and moral support will be on offer. Our website also has a section on winter swimming for anyone looking for background information.
A performance of new writing by Martha Watson Allpress in Highgate (Upstairs at the Gatehouse) on 24 September will feature Wild Mum, inspired by the author’s experiences of wild swimming with her mother. See here for more information and ticket details.
Our fellow swimmers at the Men’s Pond have kindly invited us for breakfast and a swim at their pond on Saturday 12 October, between 8 and 10 am. All KLPA members are welcome.
