| Intermittent rain showers did nothing to dampen the spirit of over 75 swimmers and over 100 kayakers who showed up at the “Annual Row For Charity” in aid of Variety – the Children’s Charity, Sunday June 24 in Carlisle Bay, Barbados. |
    | Swim conditions in the Bay were absolutely ideal Sunday morning when the annual event hosted an open water swim relay race for the first time. Crystal clear water with incredible visibility and hardly a ripple in the calm water gently lapping onto the shore: perfectly accommodating the beach start and finish. Pirates Swim Club and Saltwater Swimmers were noticeably well represented when the swimmers lined up to open the day’s activities at 8am. Twenty teams of four competed, in age categories based on the cumulative years on each team and each swimmer completed the 400-metre course. An enthusiastic crowd of spectators gathered in the brilliant sunshine to cheer on the swimmers who ranged in age from six to seventy plus! There was a great turnout by junior swimmers, some pictured at left warming up ahead of the race as well as Saltwater group, third photo and Pirates Swim Club (4th photo at left). Following the swim races and a few rain showers the action continued with numerous 12-member teams competing in two high-energy kayak races. Well done to all swimmers, kayakers, spectators, sponsors and volunteers for supporting this very worthy cause. Variety the Children’s Charity in Barbados is one of more than 50 ‘tents’ throughout the world, including Australia, France, Israel, USA, United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa. The Barbados branch was registered in 1984 but worldwide the he Charity has been active for 80 years. The goal of the charity is to raise funds for sick, disadvantaged and disabled children in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Learn more about the amazing work done by the Variety Club in Barbados and how you can help here: www.varietybarbados.org Every year, entry to the Barbados Open Water Festival 1.5K “Just For Fun” Swim supports the Variety Club. This swim is not timed and swimmers can utilize swim aids. In 2018 BOWF is scheduled for Nov 7-11. Other races include: 1.5K, 3.3K, 5K and 10K. The Fun Swim takes place during the annual festival and will be held on November 10th in 2018. Learn more about BOWF here: BOWF website |
