Participants in what has become one of the most highly anticipated athletic events of the year, the Flowers Sea Swim, did so for a reason.
Some were excited to share the experience as a family. Some were passionate about helping support the Swim Free programme, the fundraising focus of the race. Some sought to hone their edge for international competitions later this year.
One thing they nearly all shared was a prideful smile as they crossed the finishing line.
Organisers initially anticipated about 700 people would show for the race, but in the end more than 750 swam the mile-long course along Seven-Mile Beach, starting at Coral Beach and finishing just past the Westin Grand Cayman resort.
Dara Flowers Burke, one of the main coordinators and daughter of founder Frank Flowers Sr., said they are proud to once again put all the funds raised toward supporting the Swim Free programme, which teaches public school students kindergarten through Year 2 how to swim.
So far, more than 850 students have benefitted from the classes.
“It’s been such a community effort to support this initiative, and we’re so grateful to all our community partners,” she said.
Frank was quick to note that this was a particularly special swim, as it fell on Dara’s birthday.
This year’s first-place finisher was Maxwell Enes with a time of 19:00:64. He was closely followed by Dominic Hilton (19:22:27), Shaune Fraser (19:52:11) and Alexander Meyer (20:05:92).
In the women’s category, Teagan Nash took first with a time of 23:24:33. On her heels were Sienna Romer (23:26:21), Lucy Butler (24:09:08) and Shelly Kochs (24:16:49).
Enes said he appreciates all the support the community showed this year, adding, “It’s just fun to see some many people wanting to do this race, whether they’re doing it to win or they’re doing it just to finish. It’s fun to see everyone come together and do this amazing race.”
In an interview, the top men’s finishers said they could tell from the midway buoys that it would be a close finish.
“A mile is no easy feat, but these guys put in the work every day,” Fraser said of Enes and Hilton.
Hilton would say to anyone considering joining next year, “A mile might sound hard, but you can take it at your own pace. Consistency is key.”
Steve Broadbelt, president of the Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association, encourages everyone to join in the fun.
“Seven mile beach is probably the best open-water venue in the world,” he said. “It’s calm, clear, and the right temperature this time of year.”
Broadbelt said the fundraising element and community spirit of the race are part of the reason people get so eager to participate, but so is the fantastic energy of the day.
“That feeling of being around so many swimmers, that noise and excitement, is something that makes you want to do it again and again,” he added.
Keeping it in the family
This was a particularly meaningful race for the Karpino family. Mother Ashley Karpino said she and her husband, Justin, first met while competing for their school’s swim team.
They swam the Flowers race together in 2009, and this is the first year they completed it together as a family, with their 11-year-old son Elliot and 9-year-old son Isaac.
Plenty of other family units did the race together, reuniting at the inflatable red finishing line tired yet pleased. Dara said the sea swim has turned into quite the family affair for the Flowers, with her daughter, niece and uncle joining.
Organisers initially had concerns about how the weather system passing near the islands may affect conditions on the water. But under sunny skies, conditions remained stable, with the current giving swimmers who ventured further from the shoreline a boost forward.
Following the main race, several youngsters from the Swim Free programme participated in a short swim of their own near the finish line.
Besides being a fun pastime, Dara noted the importance of teaching kids how to swim to protect their safety, especially considering accidental drowning is the leading cause of death for children under 10.
“I nearly drowned at two years old because there was no one in my household who could save me,” she added. “It’s really important that we teach how to swim at an early age.”
Frank said he only learned how to swim at age 39. Yet he still completed the mile again this year, and his passion for promoting swimming in the Cayman Islands hasn’t waned.
Dara added, “You put so much time and effort into an event like this, and you just hope everything goes well.”
Officials noted that no safety issues arose this year.
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