With a loud boom, a mini cannon fired a blank on Mosquito Island on Sunday morning, signaling about 30 adult swimmers to jump off a dock and start swimming.
A much smaller version of the event was hosted last year by Ciboney’s Parent Teacher Association, but this year organisers decided to open it to the public, drawing residents from Virgin Gorda and Tortola.
“There are two reasons why we opened this up,” said Necker Island General Manager Kenton Jones. “One is to be able to share Mosquito Island with the broader community in the BVI, and it is a pleasure to be able to do that with everyone here today. Secondly, it is obviously to raise money for an amazing school.”
The event did just that, bringing in $7,992 for Ciboney, according to organisers.
Racing
The aquathon started promptly at 9 a.m. after a race briefing at the Moskito Island resort’s beach house.
Adults competed in a one-kilometre swim followed by a six-kilometre run around the island, and children took part in a much shorter swim and a 2.5-kilometre flat run.
Vincent Fournier emerged as the overall winner, finishing with a time of 38 minutes and 56 seconds.
A little more than two hours after they began, all the races were completed.
Katrina Lindsay, who placed third in the adult women’s division, said the one-kilometre swim wasn’t easy.
“The second time we went into the water, I was tempted to call over one of the boats and stop right then,” Ms. Lindsay said. “But then I kept going. The first loop of the run I was catching up to people, but on the second leg I was able to take only a few of them.”
She added that she enjoyed the experience as a first-timer.
“Maybe if I practise my swimming a little more, I can do it again,” she said.
Award ceremony
During an award ceremony, which followed a brunch, the winners in the children’s division received stuffed-animal lemurs and medals, and adult winners received bottles of champagne.
Organisers also recognised Benjamin and Nicholas Moore, Ciboney students who raised $600 through sponsorships for the event.
Because sponsors also covered the cost of the race, all of that money went directly to the school, as did participants’ entry fees, according to Mr. Jones.
The general manager added that he hopes to expand the competition next year.
“We were oversubscribed this year, and we’re hoping we can get everybody else who didn’t make it,” he said. “And we plan to make it an even bigger event. So please do watch the notices board.”
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