Barbados Open Water Festival

Bridgetown, Barbados
08-12 Nov, 2023 (Wed - Sun)

Swimming

3.33 km, 5 km, 10 km, 1500 m, 2000 m

About the event

The Festival runs for five fabulous days - three days of practice swims and two days of "Races".  You can choose to swim one day or all five! Experience three open water swimming locations in Barbados.  The races are a wonderful mix of ages and abilities, serious swimmers and swimmers just there for enjoyment. Distances: 1.5K, 3.3K, 5K, 10K.  Every year we welcome numerous first time "sea-swimmers". Finisher Medals & Age Category Medals. Random prizes - swim and you may win!Over the years many familiar faces of the open water world have been seen at the Festival - Olympians, World Champions, Masters Champions, marathon swimmers, Triple Crowners, Pan Am Medallists, National Champs, Ice swimmers, World Record Holders, Pro-triathletes, Swim Administrators & more.

Races offered by this event

You have 6 weeks to prepare

Guided Open Water Swim in Carlisle Bay

08 Nov, 2023 (Wed) - 16:30
Swimming
2000 m
Solo
On site
Sea/ocean

Guided Open Water Swim from La Cabane Beach Bar

09 Nov, 2023 (Thu) - 16:30
Swimming
2000 m
Solo
On site
Sea/ocean

Guided Open Water Swim at Sandy Beach

10 Nov, 2023 (Fri) - 16:30
Swimming
2000 m
Solo
On site
Sea/ocean

'Just for Fun' Swim

11 Nov, 2023 (Sat) - 09:00
Swimming
1500 m
Solo
On site
Sea/ocean

Open Water Swim Race

11 Nov, 2023 (Sat) - 09:00
Swimming
1500 m
Solo
On site
Sea/ocean

Swim the Bay 10km Race

12 Nov, 2023 (Sun) - 07:00
Swimming
10 km
Solo
On site
Sea/ocean

Swim the Bay 3.33km Race

12 Nov, 2023 (Sun) - 09:00
Swimming
3.33 km
Solo
On site
Sea/ocean

Swim the Bay 5km Race

12 Nov, 2023 (Sun) - 09:02
Swimming
5 km
Solo
On site
Sea/ocean

Course details

Course highlights

Wed. Nov. 8th - Practice Swim #1 - Carlisle Bay 2K Open Water Swim in Carlisle Bay, similar route to weekend Swim races on 11th & 12th. Guests will gather at the Barbados Yacht Club at 4pm for welcome briefing. Guided Swim will start at 4.30pm. Thur. Nov. 9th - Practice Swim #2 - Batts Rock Beach 2K Open Water Swim along the "platinum" West Coast from the La Cabane Beach Bar on Batts Rock Beach in St. James just outside of Bridgetown. Guests will gather at the trendy beach bar, La Cabane for a 4pm briefing, Guided Swim will start at 4.30pm. Chartered buses will be arranged for return transportation US$16 per person. The Chartered buses will depart from Hasting Rocks Promenade on the South Coast Boardwalk at 3.30pm (this is a very central location on the South Coast Main Rd.) and leave La Cabane at 7pm to return to Hastings Rocks. Sign up for the transport when entering online, alternatively guests can arrange their own transportation. Chartered bus from Hastings Rocks to Batts Rock Beach is approx. 20 mins. ​After the swim, guests are invited to relax and enjoy the sunset from La Cabane. ​Friday Nov. 10th - Practice Swim #3 - Sandy Beach 2K Open Water Swim on the South Coast. Guests will gather at the popular Sandy Beach in Worthing for 4pm briefing, Guided Swim will start at 4.30pm. After the swim guests are invited to join us at the Famous Oistins Fish Fry which is only a short 10-minute bus ride from Sandy Beach. Sandy Beach is also in easy walking distance to St. Lawrence Gap which is the South Coast hub for trendy Bars & Restaurants. ​Drinks & Dinner at your own leisure. Guests can arrange their own transportation to and from Sandy Beach, it is super easy by the frequent bus service on the south coast rd. or by taxi. Saturday Nov. 11th: 1.5K Swim ​7.00 am to 8:20am: Registration & Check in for the 1.5K Swims ​All swimmers entered in the 1.5K Swim race are invited to check-in at the Barbados Yacht Club between 7.00am and 8:20 am. At check-in swim caps & ankle bracelets with time chip will be issued and then number marked on arm and leg. No new entries will be accepted for the timed 1.5K race on race day. Sunday Nov. 12th: 3.3K, 5K, 10K Swims 6.15am: Registration & Check in for the 10K Swim only. ​6.45am: Race Briefing for 10k Swim only ​7am: Race Start for the 10km Swim only Six laps (1.67k each) in Carlisle Bay. No new entries will be accepted on race day. 7.15am to 8:15am: Registration & Check in for the 3.3K and 5K Swim Races no new entries accepted on race day. 8.30am: Race Briefing on the Beach 9am: Race Start for the 3.3K Swim Race 9.02am: Race Start for the 5K Swim Race 3.3K - 2 laps (1.67k each lap). ​5K - 3 laps. ​ ​10K Swimmers - please note that Swimmers in the 3.3K and 5K Races will be joining you on the same Swim course at the 9am and 9.02am start times for those races. By this time the 10K field should be well spread out and so there it should not present a challenge for any of the swimmers in either race.

Start address

Barbados Yacht Club, Bay Street, Bridgetown, Barbados

Finish address

Barbados Yacht Club, Bay Street, Bridgetown, Barbados

What’s included in entry

These are included in your entry
Finisher medal
Drink Stations
Timing chip (single use)
Toilets
Shower
Nutrition Stations
Medical Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

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