It’s All About the Water in April
Water sports are the highlight of the sporting calendar for April in Barbados. Starting with the annual Carifta Swimming Championships over Easter weekend. This year marks the 30th edition of the championships, with the Barbados Aquatic Centre having the honour of being the host venue selected. Young men and women from across the Caribbean will converge on the Centre to test their mettle against their peers, in this FINA approved competition. Again this year, Barbados will go into the contest as a favourite with top level swimmers in every age group contested.
Swimming in Barbados is big business with visiting clubs and universities, primarily from North America, choosing to seek out the warm water and sunshine of our climate during their winter months. It’s not only the Aquatic Centre which sees action, but also the calm and inviting Carlisle Bay: home of open water swimming in Barbados. To truly get the most out of your swim vacation, visitors rely on their hired car to allow them the freedom of schedule to maximise their training or supporting.
Also happening on the sea in April is the Barbados Game Fishing Association’s annual International Competition. Based in the North of the island at the luxurious Port St. Charles Marina , ‘The International’ is an integral part of the Barbadian game fishing landscape, as it not only serves as a focal point for the local season, but also as a reunion, of sorts. Friends from all over the Caribbean and beyond gather annually for this opportunity to tell fishing tales to rival those from the last regional tournament and build each other up over the prospect of that huge marlin which no one has been able to land, but has been on the hook repeatedly.
Given the geographic location of the marina relative to the main hotel belt on the south coast rental of a car is a must for the landlocked support crew. Families generally pass the days with lazy days on the beach or tours of the island’s many attractions. Evenings are a family affair, literally and figuratively, as the fishermen bring the day’s catch to the scales, the stories of the ones that got away are told up and down the dock over communal dinners and light libations with loved ones.
So whether your GPS equipped rental car is looking for the pool or the beach, there’s a water sport adventure waiting for your arrival in April.
