Another Pirates Week tradition is two great swimming events; a 5K open water swim along Seven Mile Beach and a pool meet at the Lions Aquatic Centre.
Cayman is rapidly becoming one of the world’s best swimming venues and this year’s Pirates Week 5K Sea Swim marks the 29th Anniversary of the event. The 5K traditional endurance swim will be held on Saturday, 14 November 2009 along the pristine shores of Seven Mile Beach. This swim is one of a number of internationally acclaimed swims coordinated by the Cayman Islands Amateur Swim Association (C.I.A.S.A.).
The 5k race is open to all interested swimmers aged 12 and over (athletes under the age of 12 may participate with the explicit permission of their parent(s) and coach(s). The race will have a single start, scheduled for approximately 8am.
The exact course layout will be determined the week of the sea swim in order to take water conditions into consideration. Registration details as well as start and finish points will be published in the local papers, broadcasted on local CITN (Channel 27) and posted on www.caymanactive.com and www.caymanswimming.com the week of the event. Any questions about the event can be sent to ciasaopenwater@yahoo.com.
Registration forms will also be available on the Cayman Active website (as above) and through the Pirates Week office.
The top four overall male and female winners will be awarded traditional Pirates Week Plaques. Refreshments and t-shirts will be provided for all participants.
The Stingray Swim Club (SSC) and Fosters Food Fair will be hosting The Mike Lockwood Memorial International Swim Meet. The meet will be held from the 18 through 22 November 2009 at the Lions Aquatic Centre. The international meet hosts visiting teams traditionally from Jamaica and US but all swimmers or teams are welcome.
Pool competition gets underway Wednesday evening at 5pm with more sessions on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday mornings. This age group swim meet promises to be both competitive, fun and family oriented. Also, kids will have a chance to capture some real pirate booty in the form of trophies, medals and ribbons. Meet entry forms are available on the Stingray Swim Club website (www.caymanswimming.com ) as well as through the Pirates Week office.
The Stingray Swim Club comes under the umbrella of the CIASA. It was established in 1996 to develop competitive age group swimming for swimmers of all ages. SSC arranges travel to away meets, promotes an incentive badge program for its swimmers, hold FINA officiating clinics and runs local pool meets.
