Arriba Barbados

I’ll write a bit more on Barbados later as we saw more of the island in the Windward Islands this time around, although Carlisle Bay with the Kensington Oval in the distance was shrouded in darkness this morning when we left the hotel to fly back to Miami at the crack of dawn.

I said this last time we were there when my daughter was competing at CARIFTA (Caribbean Games) in April that it was exhausting and I didn’t so much as wiggle my toe in the hotel pool.

My daughter was with the Bermuda swim team competing at the 2022 Central American and Caribbean Championships (CCCAN), and this brought a who new level of competition. She won a gold and bronze in April competing against 17 other Caribbean countries and, hands up *proud Dad moment*, swam magnificently.

However, this time there were 30 countries and almost 600 swimmers at the five-day long event swimming in four age group categories. Nearly all the Central American countries were represented including Mexico, who brought a team of 98 swimmers and many fans, who added much colour and noise to proceedings.

My daughter is not tall, and therefore her technique and endurance is better suited to the longer distance events. The Caribbean kids resemble the track and field stars and come in various forms of ‘strapping.’ The Latino’s were the opposite, but my were they quick.

The goal was to make finals, to come back and compete in the evening under the lights, but with morning heats often containing 40 plus swimmers it was going to be tough for Bermuda’s team of 22 kids ranging in age of 12 (my daughter) to 23 to do so.

My daughter was seeded to make two finals of the eight events she was in, but she qualified for five. Agonisingly she finished 4th twice (100m and 200m backstroke) plus came home in 5th, 6th and 7th in the three others.

Mexico won the event by a country mile, with Puerto Rico 2nd, Venezuela 3rd and Guatemala 4th. Many records were smashed throughout the week underlying the standard of swimming on the continent. The Caribbean countries did make a big impact on the medal table though, with it’s best swimmers getting ready for the Commonwealth Games in August.

Bermuda won 6 medals, but were missing a couple of it’s best older swimmers, but once again the experience and opportunity was unforgettable for our 12 year old, who is snoring loudly in bed as I write this absolutely shattered.

We now plan on putting our collective feet up in Miami for a couple of days before heading home on Saturday. We may even get in the hotel pool.

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