Cayman’s swimmers set new records

Over 200 of Cayman’s fastest swimmers took part in the Cayman National Swimming Championships (Nationals), Thursday 18 – Sunday 21 at the Camana Bay Aquatic Centre pool.

Organised annually by the Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association (CIASA), Nationals is the last meet at which eligible Junior Team swimmers can qualify, with the hope that they will be selected for the National Team which travels to the CARIFTA Swimming Championships. This year, COVID-19 has once again caused CARIFTA – scheduled for the Easter weekend in Barbados – to be postponed. This postponement did not slow Cayman’s swimmers down. On the contrary 35 new records, both National* and CIASA records were set, some of which were records previously held by Cayman’s former Olympians – Andrew Mackay and Shaune Fraser; and most experienced senior swimmers including Lauren Hew (Florida State University).

“The number of records set at Nationals this year is a sign of the strength of our competitive swim clubs,” said Michael Lockwood, CIASA President. “Some of these records were set years ago. Will Sellars of Seven Mile Swimmers, broke a 19-year-old 100m backstroke record set by Andrew Mackay, swimming 1:00.22 in prelims and then dropping the record again to 59:81 in finals.”

Some impressive numbers from Nationals include:

• 5 swimmers were unbeaten in all their events: Jake Bailey (Stingray Swim Club), Sierrah Broadbelt (Seven Mile Swimmers), Lev Fahy (Stingray Swim Club) Jordan Crooks (Unattached) and Kyra Rabess (Stingray Swim Club).

• 22 eligible swimmers qualified for the Junior Team.

• 35 new records were set – bearing in mind that when a Caymanian sets a CIASA record it also counts as a National record.

• Over 150 volunteer hours invested in Cayman’s young swimmers.

Nationals, the largest meet held locally in Cayman each year, would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteer hours which come from the officials, parents who time, concessions stand workers, sound operators, and meet organisers.

Without officials on deck, swimmers would not gain the experience that only comes from swimming under the officials’ watchful eye, and the technical requirements established by FINA – and their times would not be official. “A big thank you to Jacky Rowland of the CIASA Technical Committee and all of the officials who volunteered their time,” said Duke Sullivan, Meet Director. “Our officials play a critical role in our swim meets and we encourage everyone that is interested in learning more about being an official to contact us at ciasaboard@gmail.com.”

Sullivan continued, “2021 Nationals had so many great moments. And while the records, comradery on deck between all the swimmers and amazing atmosphere were all highlights; an incredible ending was the 50m backstroke showdown at the end of the meet between Will Sellars and Andrew Mackay (CIASA treasurer and former Cayman Olympian). Will broke Andrew’s 19 -year-old 100m backstroke record. Andrew knew he might not last for a hundred meters but put in a respectful race in the 50m distance.”

Records Set at the 2021 Cayman National Swimming Championships

*National records are only held by Caymanians, while CIASA records may be held by swimmers of any nationality who are CIASA members, swimming and competing in the Cayman Islands.

CIASA is the recognised national governing body of all Aquatic Sports (comprised of competitive swimming, open water swimming, diving, high diving, water polo and synchronised swimming) in the Cayman Islands and is an affiliated member of FINA, UANA, CCCAN, Island Games Association of the Cayman Islands, CARIFTA and the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee. For more information email ciasaboard@gmail.com or visit the CIASA website at www.ciasa.ky.