Open water swim races this weekend

For the first time in 2017, competitive open water swimming races will be held along Seven Mile Beach.

Cayman’s top junior swimmers will be among those lining up for the Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA) 5K Sea Swim on Saturday, 4 February. The event serves as a qualifier for the CARIFTA Games being hosted by the Bahamas in May.

The race begins at Governor’s Beach at 2:00 p.m., with swimmers completing a four-loop course. Registration is at 1:30 p.m.

John Bodden won open water gold at CARIFTA last year.

The Cayman Islands had a strong showing at the CARIFTA Open Water Championships in Martinique last year. John Bodden and Catriona MacRae won gold in the 15-17 year-old boys and girls races, respectively. Ria Plunkett picked up a third medal in the open water for Cayman, finishing third in the girls 13-14 age group.

Shorter distance races are also being held for those who aren’t quite up to taking on the challenge of a 5K.

The Care Pharmacy 200m and 400m Sea Swims get going once the longer event is completed. Registration starts at 2:45 p.m. with the 200m starting at 3:20 p.m. and the 400m at 3:30 p.m.

The cost for CIASA members is $10 (children), $15 (adults). For non-members, the registration fee is $15 (children), $20 (adults). This includes a t-shirt, swim cap and light refreshment.

A CIASA spokesperson said the 200m and 400m swims are a great way for a novice open water swimmer of any age to try an open water swim or for an experienced swimmer to use the swims as training.

“This event is a yearly open water event and it would be great to see new faces…and of course [we are] always happy to see regulars. This Saturday’s swim events would be a fun introduction to a swimmer’s open water swim career. The 200m and 400m swims will take place along the beach so you can go as shallow or deep as you would like,” the spokesperson added.

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