By Christopher Tobutt
For the weekend of 27-28 Sept., the gymnasium at John Gray High School was transformed into a multi-portal – a nexus of worlds where pixels pulsed and imagination ruled.
From Hyrule to Pallet Town, from Valencia to virtual racetracks, GamersBay 9 turned the polished floor into a launchpad for dreams.
Cayman’s premier gaming convention – GamersBay – returned for its ninth year, turning the George Town venue into a vibrant celebration of esports, cosplay and community. Organised by GamersBay founder Lance Jefferson, the two-day event featured tournaments in Fortnite, FC25, NBA 2K25, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and iRacing,
“This is the largest gaming event in the Cayman Islands,” Jefferson said. “We’ve got participants from 4 to 64 years old – it’s truly family-oriented.”
The gym was divided into two zones: the Esports Arena and the Convention Side. Over at the tabletop section, David Bainbridge, floor manager for Mesa Del Sol, hosted a Magic: The Gathering regional championship qualifier.
“We deal in all things non-electronic,” he said. “Board games, tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, and the big three card games – Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Players open booster packs and build decks from what they get. Then I pair them off for several rounds. The top players go into sudden death, and the final two earn invites to Mexico City.”
The Cayman Motoring Federation drew attention with its driving simulators and international representation.
YouTube creator Austin John Plays was a magnet for young fans, sharing tips and stories around a full deck of Pokémon cards. “Pikachu’s more popular than Mickey Mouse,” one child declared.
Saul, a proud dad watching his two young sons immersed in a racing game, smiled. “I used to play, too!” he said. “Sure, they can play these games at home, but it’s good for them to come out – good for their social interaction.” He added that seeing professional gamers from overseas was “really inspiring”.
Cosplay – where fans become their favourite characters – was another highlight. Joseph Watler lit up at the sight of Chun-Li from Street Fighter. “Cosplaying is amazing,” he said. His personal hero? Itachi Uchiha from Naruto, “because he takes care of his brother”.
For one weekend, the gym became a gateway – not just to games, but to imagination, connection and Cayman’s growing digital heartbeat.
Christopher Tobutt is a freelance journalist who has written for various publications in the Cayman Islands since 2003.
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