Swimming News courtesy of Swim Barbados
Barbados is beckoning!
“This is what open water swimming is all about,” declared Alex Meyer (World Champion, Olympian and current USA National 5km champion ) to reporter Jonathan Knott, moments after winning the 5km race at the Barbados Open Water Festival (BOWF) in 2014. Think azure waters, white sand beach, swaying coconut trees and steel pan music. The idyllic location of Carlisle Bay is ready to greet you and friendly swimmers from across the globe in 2015.
The 4th Barbados Open Water Festival kicks off November 7th with the 1.5 km race and “Just for Fun swim”, followed by the 5km race and beach party on November 8th. Additional excitement will be created with the highly competitive “Stand Up Paddle in the Bay” and “Kayak the Bay” events that are also part of the festival. The Kayak event is a fundraiser for the very deserving charity: “Variety: the Childrens’ Charity” (an organization that has been raising funds for sick and differently-abled children in Barbados since 1984). This year guided practice swims are being offered ahead of the main events, at the swim venue and two other spectacular locations.
Since it inaugural event in 2013 the Open Water Festival has attracted swimmers of all ages and abilities from multiple countries around the world. Elite swimmers such as Meyer as well as Taylor Abbott (Junior Open Water World Champion) Erica Moffett (Triple Crown Holder), Eney Jones (former professional tri-athlete), Lindsay Vrooman & Anina Lund (US National Team Members) have swum alongside competitive masters swimmers, recreational swimmers and junior swimmers.
A twelve member team: “Doncaster Dolphins”, hailing from Melbourne, Australia is just one of many groups from a wide range of countries that will compete in 2015. There are many returning swimmers including a masters group from New Jersey, these stalwarts are entered for the third year in a row while the Parker Family of Saskatchewan, Canada, who had five family members swim in 2014, hope to bring six Parkers in 2015!
Alex Meyer, will once again line up with swimmers in the 2015 event. Don’t miss this opportunity.
SWIM BARBADOS – SIGN UP HERE
Barbados Open Water Festival Nov 4-8 2015. Enter now. www.swimbarbadosvacations.com.
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.
