Swimming News courtesy of Swim Barbados
Three hundred and five swimmers converged on the spectacular Carlisle Bay in Barbados this past weekend for the fourth annual Barbados Open Water Festival. A wonderful mix of recreational swimmers, talented junior swimmers and highly competitive Masters’ swimmers lined up with a few elite athletes in the 1.5K and 5K races. A “Just For Fun” swim for a children’s charity attracted additional novice swimmers.
courtesy of Swim Barbados
The elite visitors provided a high quality viewing experience for the local spectators. Taylor Abbott of the USA was victorious in both the 1.5 and 5K races. The 2014 World Junior OW Champion Abbott enjoyed a convincing win in the shorter race (17:41.81) despite the excellent efforts of young Barbadian National swimmers. Luis Weekes (18:27.57) and Kobi Talma (18:49.32), second and third respectively and professional triathlete Jason Wilson (18:52.10), who was fourth.
courtesy of Swim Barbados
The 5K swim was a totally different story with a fierce battle ensuing between the young Abbott and the more experienced 2014 winner, Alex Meyer of the US. Meyer and Abbott were neck and neck for much of the course with previous winner, Christian Marsden of Trinidad, making a valiant attempt to keep pace with the leaders. It was looking to be a very close finish until crowd favourite Meyer began his final sprint for home and pulled away from Abbott putting just over 16 seconds between them and providing a dramatic ending as he burst out of the water to cross the finish line on the beach. However a protest was immediately lodged by Abbott and confirmed by course judges concerning Meyer’s passing on the wrong side of a buoy. Meyer seemed uncertain of his error, but once it was pointed out he displayed fine sportsmanship and graciously acknowledged he had made a mistake. In the heat of the moment while sprinting to finish, he wrongly considered the buoy in question as a guide buoy and did indeed swim on the wrong side. Abbott was awarded the race and clocked 57:16.01 en route to his win with Marsden (58:17.21) second, Jivan Chee Foon (1:02.32) of Trinidad third, Wilson of Barbados fourth and Kent Mullins (1:05.46), also Barbadian fifth.
courtesy of Swim Barbados
Meyer, who also swam in 2014, noted he would “love to come back in 2016.” He believes its an excellent opportunity for other open water elites to enjoy a great vacation and the “Barbados experience” while competing at a high level. He added that maintaining training while on island was easily accomplished at either the island’s Aquatic Centre or on the event’s race-course in the sea.
In the Ladies 1.5K race McKayla Treasure (20:15.23), a National Junior swimmer just barely edged out US National Champion Masters swimmer and former professional triathlete Eney Jones (20:18.75) of the US for the top spot but the evergreen Jones returned the next day and clinched victory in the 5K. Rebecca Lashley of Barbados was a consistent performer achieving third in the 1.5K and second in the 5K.
Masters swimmers with impressive resumes such as British Masters Champion Stuart McLellan and American Darcy LeFountain (Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Masters), owner of six US Masters titles, enjoyed success in their relevant age groupings.
courtesy of Swim Barbados
In just a few years the BOWF has evolved into a global swimming event that attracts swimmers of all ages and abilities. As with past events 2015 drew swimmers 7 to 86 years of age from countries across the world including: USA, UK, Canada, Netherlands, Spain, France, Czech Republic, Belgium and other Caribbean islands. Doncaster Dolphins of Melbourne Australia sent a twelve-member team including Dorothy Dickey (WR Holder 800m 2015 85-89 age group) who claimed second in the 1.5K (65+).
Co-Director for the event Kristina Evelyn noted that the Festival is growing each year and added that while the winners are the ones reported there were many who were accomplishing personal bests, swimming for causes or overcoming barriers such as swimming their first race in the sea. Every year there are heart-warming stories such as Suzannah Fullagar of the UK who swam the 5K to raise funds and awareness for the “Mane Chance Sanctuary” a UK charity that rescues abandoned horses and works with kids with life limiting illnesses. Another visiting swimmer Dennis Vanderheiden undertook both races pulling a Barbadian paralympic athlete in a boat behind him. Evelyn said there were some groups who have returned several times such as the Berkley Aquatic Masters from New Jersey (who have already booked their 2016 stay) and a growing number of swimmers from L.O.S.T (Lake Ontario Swim Team).
Evelyn said the organisers had received extremely positive feedback about 2015 and were already planning the 2016 event at which a 10K race is under consideration. She added that comments on social media such as “swims were beyond expectations”, “what a total blast it was in Barbados”, “as I leave Barbados I am just in bliss reflecting on the amazing people I met” and “love this awesome swim event” are music to an organiser’s ears.
The 2016 Barbados Open Water Festival is scheduled for November 5-6, 2016.
Mission: To promote swimming in Barbados and to share our venues with pool & open water swimmers from around the globe!
Watch our promotional video from the 2014 Barbados Open Water Festival:
Follow Swim Barbados Vacations on Twitter here.
Like Swim Barbados Vacations on Facebook here.
