RHAC Invitational

20th Annual RHAC Invitational – Taking Aim!

The Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre prepares for their annual invitational swim meet drawing regional swim clubs to St Lucia. On Tuesday, March 12th the organizers and sponsors gathered to launch the coming of this festive swimming tradition. This year the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre celebrates its 20th year of hosting this Invitational Swim Meet, which will be held from April 11 – April 15, with Monday April 15 being an Open Water event. Dubbed as RHAC invitational, this SLAF sanctioned meet operates under the theme “Friendship through Competition” bringing swimmers to our shores from Antigua, Grenada, Barbados, St Vincent and Trinidad annually providing an avenue to develop skills and forge friendships across the seas.
After 20 years, this year will be a sure cause for celebration. With the growing number of annual swimming events hosted in St Lucia, the RHAC Invitational has longevity in which no others can boast. By pure determination and perseverance to continue in the growth and development of swimming as a sport, Dr. Diane Worrell has year after year orchestrated this event fine tuning it to one of the events on the regional calendar. Her pure dedication to love of swimming has propelled to continually host this event.
Stepping up the competition this year will be teams from Martinique and Guadeloupe. Although teams from Martinique have competed over the last couple of years, this is the first time swimmers from Guadeloupe will be attending RHAC Invitational. Excitedly Dr. Diane Worrell, Meet Director, reports over 200 swimmers have already been registered to compete. With registration not due for a few more days, this year’s meet looks to draw well over 350 swimmers working to achieve personal bests and set records in short 25M sprints to long distance 1500M freestyle.
The aquatic centre promises to be overflowing with excitement from spectators throughout the 4 day pool event. Noting the high number of spectators and swimmers, local businesses and the SLTA have started to come on board to market their various services in efforts to gain financial boost. With regional attendance year after year, many local businesses come back with continued support.
The entry fee for spectators will be $15 EC per session for Adults and $5 EC for Children under 10. The season pass will be $50 EC, which includes all sessions. As season pass with meet program will be $75. Food and drinks will be available on the premises throughout the meet.
Meet Agenda:
Thursday 4/11 Session 5:30 PM start
Friday 4/12 Session 9:00 AM start
Saturday 4/13 Session 9:00 AM start
Sunday 4/14 Session 9:00 AM start
Closing Awards Ceremony 30 min following finish of meet.
Monday 4/15 Open Water Session 7:30 AM start
(held at Reduit Beach in from of St Lucia Yacht Club)
For more information regarding the 20th Annual RHAC Invitational, please contact the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre at 450-SWIM (7946) or rhac2017@gmail.com.