World class swimmers and total novices alike are counting the days to the world’s richest open water sea swim which is also one of the most popular on the globe.
The Flowers One Mile Sea Swim is into its 20th year and on 9 June the hordes of enthusiastic swimmers – and even walkers – will descend for another fabulous event.
Organised by father and daughter combo Frank Flowers and Dara Flowers-Burke, the Flowers Sea Swim is Grand Cayman’s flagship sporting event. Last year’s race boasted over 800 competitors. Participants vary in age from 8 to 80 and in skill from novices and first-timers to Olympic champs and world championship open water specialists from around the globe. It is literally open to all.
It starts at the Ritz-Carlton and finishes either at Royal Palms or Tiki Beach Bar depending on the ocean currents.
The unique draw of the Flowers Sea Swim is not only its flawless course conditions along Cayman’s beautiful Seven Mile Beach, but the numerous random prizes. There is over $100,000 in cash and prizes on offer.
This year the chances are increased to guarantee 1-in-4 random prize odds for finishers. Giveaways include BlackBerrys, hotel stays and over 40 round trip airline tickets to 20 premier destinations such as Miami, New York, Panama, Rome, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, London, Dublin, Rio De Janerio and Toronto.
All finishers receive a fantastic t-shirt and goody bag filled with prizes.
This year the Walk and Watch programme is on again.
It is ideal for the non-swimmer who wants to soak up the excitement of the Flowers Mile and also contribute to a worthy cause.
All registration proceeds are donated to the Feed Our Future Cayman charity which provides healthy meals to needy school children.
For registration and more information, please click here.
The Flowers One Mile Sea Swim is into its 20th year and on 9 June the hordes of enthusiastic swimmers – and even walkers – will descend for another fabulous event.
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Having swum the Flowers mile the last couple of years I can testify to it being a unique and well organized event.
But it is a shame that it is marred each year by the interminable speeches by a multitude of dignatories and event sponsors, all of whom essentially say much the same thing. These speeches take place after the swim but before the prize draws.
Swimmers have to be present to collect any prize, should they be lucky enough to win, so most feel obliged to sit through the hour or more of repetitive back-slapping contained in the speeches.
After swimming a mile in the sea and being caked in salt from the water, this is not a very inviting prospect. This year I’ve decided I don’t think I can bear to put up with it all again. I’m sure many who have experienced this will share my frustrations.