From Stingray Swim Club

“Fast and furious sprint meet challenges Cayman’s competitive swimmers and puts CARIFTA swimmers on the blocks one more time before Barbados.”

Stingray Swim Club, Grand Cayman, 9 March 2015: The EY Cayman Sprint Meet hosted by Stingray Swim Club (SSC) at the Lions Aquatic Centre (LAC) saw some of Cayman’s finest and fastest swimmers, of varying ages and abilities, take part in what one young swimmer called “…the most fun swim meet ever.”

As was promised it was a fast paced meet which saw swimmers taking part, depending on their age group, in 25m or 50m races – culminating in the 100m IM a fast paced sprint event which (because it is a 100m IM event) can only be swum in short course pools.

EY Cayman – one of Cayman’s longstanding corporate citizens supported SSC and Cayman Swimming once again by stepping up to the blocks and sponsoring the event. Sponsorships such as this one have enabled the club to grow; to hire a second swim coach so that all SSC members can continue to receive excellent coaching; and has also allowed the club to start a High School Development programme allowing students who want to swim, but whose school or personal commitments prevent them from committing the 16-20 hours a week that full time swimmers must put in.

In addition to the EY Cayman Sprint Meet being beneifical to Cayman’s swimmers; it was also used to provide training for a number of Cayman’s swim officials. This activity lined up well with the EY Cayman tag of “Building a better working world.”

Amanda Roberts as President of Stingray Swim Club was thrilled to receive continuing support from EY and, in her capacity as Training Co-ordinator for CIASA’s Technical Officials, was glad to have the opportunity to use the meet to provide on-deck training for officials, with apprentices shadowing different positions and senior judges progressing to Starter level. Two such home trained judges, Jacky Rowland and Michelle Bailey will be travelling to officiate at their first CARIFTA Championship in Barbados at Easter together with FINA Referee Tom McCallum.

Photos: Stingray Swim Club

1. Swimmers at the blocks.
2. The meet was attended by a athletes of a range of ages and abilities, with some of the younger swimmers taking part in an officiated meet for the first time.
3. Officials benefited from on-deck training.