Barbados Open Water Festival

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Destination: Barbados Open Water Festival

7/27/2019

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It’s been on the bucket list for a while and you have decided this is your year, to take the plunge, literally, into the crystal waters of Carlisle Bay for the Barbados Open Water Festival! What awaits you on this tiny coral island, a mere dot on most world maps? For starters, spectacular beaches and warm waters with ideal open water swim conditions on the west, southwest and some south coast locations.  Après Swim the possibilities are endless.
 
The focal point of the Festival is the magnificent Carlisle Bay, located on the south west coast a stones throw from the capital city of Bridgetown and close to many south coast hotels. Swimmers rave about the Bay; here is one of the many we have received over the years: “Think pinch yourself perfect conditions. Crystal clear waters, sandy seabed studded with starfish, dazzling groups of tropical fish darting around in front of us and at least half a dozen turtles looking up from below, bemused by our ungainly thrashing about in comparison to their effortless grace. Back on dry land, the morning’s racing was quickly giving way to a full-on Caribbean beach party and we were given a warm, genuine welcome – as long as one didn’t mind too much the locals bragging about how they get to swim the same bay every weekend. Thanks for a truly unforgettable day.”  British Swimmer. 
Swim venue: Barbados Open Water Festival: Carlisle Bay
The Festival – Nov 6-10, 2019, 
Five days of swimming available, swim one or swim all five. Three days of practice swims (2K) with highly social dinners afterwards and two days of friendly competition (1.5K, 1.5K Just for Fun, 3.3K, 5K, 10K).  The Fun race supports the Variety Club of Barbados (Children's Charity) Beach finish for all races. Finisher Medals and Winner Medals for multiple age groups. Refreshment provided on finish line (there is a feeding boat for 10K swimmers). Home base is Copacabana Beach Bar, all races start and end in front of Bar and food and drink is on sale all weekend. See some of the 2018 photos here.

Barbados Open Water Festival
Barbados Open Water Festival
Safety is a top priority: There is an Ambulance with two paramedics and two emergency care doctors on site for all races. Ambulance/paramedics also attend the practice swims. Numerous kayakers & paddlers are in the water monitoring swimmers plus our escort boat, a police boat and a coast guard boat in Bay. The venue is located two minutes away from main hospital. In the weeks ahead of the event we provide answers to FAQ's by email!  Click here to see detailed: ​Agenda ​and view one of our 2018 videos below.

Apres Swim....
After the swimming leave time to explore the island and its amazing attractions.  There is a plethora of possibilities, here is a taste:
  • Visit the rustic east coast & soak up the scenery or enjoy an authentic local beach house experience at Bath Beach House.
  • Make your way to the Animal Flower Cave located in the scenic cliffs of the northern tip of the island. 
  • Relax on a Catamaran cruise with lunch and snorkelling
  • Explore the underground caverns of Harrisons Cave or the underwater world with Atlantis Submarines. 
  • Explore the trails with EBIKE Island Adventures or stroll around exquisite tropical  gardens like Andromeda or Hunte's Gardens. 
  • Wander around Bridgetown, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, check out the parliament buildings, the Synagogue, the Cathedral,  the Screw Dock and many others.
  • Learn about the art of Rum making and the island's long association with Rum.
  • Visit one of the numerous historic buildings: Nicholas Abbey, Morgan Lewis Mill, George Washington House, Sunbury House are just a few.
  • Have a look at the house where Rihanna grew up!
  • Take a "behind the scenes" off road tour with Island Safari
  • Pick up unique island souvenirs from Best of Barbados, a chain of family-owned gift shops!
Barbados Open Water Festival: Harrisons Cave, Barbados
Barbados Open Water Festival: Parliament Buildings
Where to eat?
"No other Caribbean country can match Barbados for the choice and quality of places to eat out." Fred Mawer, a destination expert with the UK Telegraph.

​We agree with him. Something for every pocket and every palate. From fast food at 
Chefette to fine dining by the sea, pictured below is the Lone Star Restaurant on west coast of island.  See some of our recommended places HERE
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Barbados Open Water Festival: Dining in Barbados
Haven't booked your stay yet?
Have a look at our Partner Hotels for preferred rates, be sure to use the code when booking!

Rent a Car
Need a rental car while on island - check out the special rates for swimmers from 
ANSA Rentals. Tell them you are coming for Festival!

                                                              More info about Barbados, check out these sites
                         www.myguidebarbados.com     www.totallybarbados.com     www.visitbarbados.org

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                   Leave the wetsuit at home and prepare for five days of "Fun and Fabulous" !
ENTER the 2019 Barbados Open Water Festival
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Always extremely grateful for the support of wonderful sponsors:
​BTMI, TDC, Chefette Restaurants, Vorgee, BHTA, CGM Gallagher, Ernst & Young, ANSA Rentals, Powerade and Dasani.
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Open Water Festival Partners with Chefette Restaurants to Host Stars.

7/11/2019

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​Jaimie Monahan and Cameron Bellamy, both superstars of the open water swimming world will attend the 8th annual Barbados Open Water Festival to be hosted in Carlisle Bay in November.  With just four months to go, the Festival planning has moved into high gear and organizers are thankful for the timely and critical support via a strengthened partnership with long time partner Chefette Restaurants.
Jaimie Monahan to attend Barbados Open Water Festival 2019
Photo courtesy of Jaimie Monahan.
Jaimie Monahan, a renowned ultra-marathon and ice swimmer, will make her first appearance at the Festival in 2019. The New Yorker is globally known as a “Queen of Cold Water Swimming” but can't wait to get a swim in the warmer waters of Barbados:
"I keep looking at photos of the water there and am getting way too excited – it’s still months away!"
 
Jaimie’s endless list of outstanding achievements includes: first to accomplish the Ice Sevens, numerous marathon swims including a 92K double Manhattan island swim, six marathon swims on six continents in sixteen days, winner of the inaugural International Winter Swimming Association’s World Cup and seven-time US National Winter Swimming champ. ​
Cameron Bellamy to attend Barbados Open Water Festival 2019
Cameron Bellamy is practically a household name in Barbados! His phenomenal 2018 included completion of his six-year journey to swimming seven of the toughest channels in the world, earning himself a title held by only 10 other people: Oceans Seven swimmer.  Then, he created history by completing a highly complex circumnavigation of Barbados, swimming a gruelling 96K around the jagged coastline. In November 2019 the endurance athlete extraordinaire will return to Barbados for the 8th annual Festival following his planned Cuba-Florida swim attempt.  This will be his most daunting challenge to date, an attempt to swim 103 miles from Havana, Cuba to Key West in September 2019. An incredible and almost unimaginable undertaking!
 
Over the life of the event the Festival has welcomed swimmers of all ages and abilities from more than thirty-five countries.  From recreational to elite, pool swimmers to channel swimmers, world champions and Olympians, from as far away as Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa and Singapore. Every year the swimmers arrive from different countries but all with a shared passion for open water swimming and heart-warming camaraderie ensues. In 2019 many returning regulars are expected from the UK, Canada, USA and Trinidad.  Recently the Pan Canadian Provincial Open Water Swim Team has confirmed they will attend in 2019 with twenty-four swimmers accompanied by the Canadian Distance Open Water Coach Mark Perry. 

Co-Director for the event Kristina Evelyn lauded Chefette for their valued and longstanding contribution to the event which over many years has included prizes for winning swimmers, shade tents on the beach and branded items as giveaways dating back to the first Festival in 2013. In 2019 with Chefette’s support swimmers will receive unique redesigned commemorative finisher medals for all races completed and winner medals in multiple age categories. 
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2019 Finisher Medals
Advertising Manager, Lisa Carter thanked the organizers for the opportunity to partner with them and said “In pursuit of our philosophy to give back to the community, one of our mandates is “Promoting of active lifestyles” whereby we encourage our customers, especially the kids, to participate in as many sporting and social activities as possible to foster more balanced lifestyles. Hence Chefette’s support to the Barbados Open Water Festival. 
 
Evelyn noted that without corporate support and backing by agencies such as the Tourism Development Corporation and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. the Festival may not have survived. The event has grown with every year and currently attracts several hundred visitors to the island every November.  
 
The offerings remain the same as in 2018 with three days of practice swims and four races (1.5K, 3.3K, 5K and 10K).  Highlights will include professional timing by Sportstats, live steel pan music on the beach and numerous random prizes.  The event is scheduled for November 6-10.
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    Open Water Swim Blog 

    Barbados Open Water Festival,  Open Water Swimming in Barbados and around the world.
    Read: Cameron Bellamy - Barbados to St Lucia Swim
    Read: Cameron Bellamy: Swim Around Barbados! 

    Author

    Kristina Evelyn - Barbadian & Festival organizer. Enjoys promoting open water swimming in Barbados & meeting open water swimmers from all over the world.

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    2018 Festival Review
    Bellamy Swim Barbados
    BOWF Recognition
    Cameron Bellamy Swim
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    Swim Around Barbados

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A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Barbados Open Water Festival & Chefette
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