Recently the Independent (UK) summed it up nicely: “It’s easy to understand all the fuss about Barbados’s beaches: miles and miles of white powder sand and pristine turquoise coves. But beyond the beaches, this much-loved Caribbean island offers delectable cuisine, a thrilling roster of activities, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed capital and a lush interior dotted with beautiful gardens. And it’s something of an insider’s secret, but Barbados is a particularly brilliant family destination, with some of the most family-friendly hotels in the entire Caribbean. Plus, it offers activities and day trips that are perfect for larger groups and a variety of ages.”
Visit Barbados, courtesy of Swim Barbados
Armed with this information and the biennial report from the World Economic Forum naming Barbados as the safest country in the Caribbean for visitors your quest to discover your next open water swim event may be over!
The sixth Barbados Open Water Festival is scheduled for Nov 1-5, 2017 in the magnificent Carlisle Bay. The festival begins with three days of guided practice swims that are well subscribed and highly enjoyed, with the post swim dinners and lounging resulting in swapping of swim stories and lots of laughs. These are followed by two days of open water races: 1.5K, 3.3K, 5K and 10K. The number of events entered is totally optional, swimmers can swim for one day or sign on for all five days. Elite to recreational swimmers of all ages from more than 15 countries have participated in the past five years. The swimmers rave about the ideal open water swimming conditions and the venue, Carlisle Bay, a protected Marine Park.
Atlantis Submarine, courtesy of Swim Barbados
Rob Kent of Global Swim Series and L.O.S.T swam in 2016 and wrote: “It was incredible! In just a few short years the Barbados Open Water Festival has turned into a major event on the open water swim circuit and now having experienced it, it is easy to see why!”
In 2016, Canadian Olympian Katie Brambley brought her group: “Freestyle Experience” from Canada for a swim camp that combined training sessions in the National Aquatic Centre outdoor pool with open water swims in the Festival plus additional adventures. The group is returning in 2017 and look forward to the open water swims in some of the most “beautiful water in the world”.
In the words of one of the visiting Festival swimmers in 2016: “Take it off the bucket list and just do it! I plan to be back for sure. I met great people, ate great food, enjoyed many swims in pristine waters and achieved many first time goals. I highly recommend.”
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Swimming news is courtesy of Swim Barbados, a SwimSwam partner.