2016 Carifta Swim Team sets sails for Martinique

The 2016 Saint Lucia CARIFTA Swim Team met for the final time at the RHAC on Saturday morning, March 19th prior to their departure to Martinique for the XXXI CARIFTA Games. Immediately following the final national team training session, the swimmers were treated to a delicious recovery shake courtesy of Felly Belly and a healthy breakfast.

Organized by Team Manager Dr. Leslie Bishop, special guest were invited to speak with the team to share their expertise knowledge and give support to the next generation of Saint Lucia’s Olympic hopefuls. In attendance were the Honorable Emma Hippolyte. SLASA President Carol Mangal Dr. Tobias and team officials & parents.

After brief words from SLASA President Mrs. Mangal, Head coaches Jamie Peterkin and Brian Charles offered words of encouragement, reminding the swimmers to take advantage of their support team and the opportunity to compete with some of the best 18& under swimmers in the region. Immediately following, Dr. Tobias addressed the team on common swimming injuries and offered insight on how to manage an injury during practice and a competition. He pleaded to swimmers to communicate with their coaches and team officials about their physical conditions and explained that injury prevention was a combination of key factors such as rest, practicing good technique, attending regular training and adequate warm up and stretching prior to any practice or competition.

Last but certainly by no means least, Honorable Mrs. Emma Hippolyte sat with the swimmers and shared her hopes for them as each swimmer introduced themselves in a very intimate setting to conclude the morning session. This was the icing on the cake to remind the swimmers, that they have the support of the wider community paying homage to the idea that it takes a village to raise an Olympian.

The team departs for Martinique this afternoon and will travel by sea. The 13 member team is the largest to represent Saint Lucia at the Games, and in all the Saint Lucia contingency will comprise of 30 members, including swimmers, team officials, meet officials and parents. With Martinique set to host 4 of the 5 aquatic disciplines at this years Games, (Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Water Polo and Synchronised Swimming), the Swimming will commence on Tuesday, March 22nd, while the Open Water Swimming event will be contested on Saturday, March 26th.