Olympic gold medalist Ous Mellouli, 2011 world championship gold and bronze medalist Ashley Twichell and Slam the Dam winner Lexie Kelly are among the many swimmers who are flying into the Cayman Islands this week for the 35th annual Pirates Week festival.

The Cayman Islands’ 11-day festival includes an absolutely gorgeous 5 km Sea Swim.
In addition to enjoying one of the most beautiful sea swims on the planet, Mellouli, Twichell, Kelly and many other swimmers of all ages and abilities from around the world will enjoy music, street dances, competitions, games, food and drink festivals, parades, sports events, Heritage Days, a pirate invasion and firework displays.

After the Pirates Week 5 km race sponsored by Davenport Development on November 10th, the three Southern Californians will witness a mock pirate invasion from the sea where old-time sailing vessels, loaded with pirates make an explosive landing at the bowl-shaped George Town harbour with the pirates capturing the Governor (who is not only a real-world politician, but also a true ocean swimming enthusiast Duncan Taylor).

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http://dailynews.openwaterswimming.com/2012/11/ai-mateyopen-water-swimmers-head-to.html