Annual Butterfield Sea Swim surges in popularity

(CNS): Ideal conditions prevailed on Seven Mile Beach, drawing a near-record crowd for the 8th Annual Butterfield 800m Sea Swim, held Saturday, 8 May. Over 170 swimmers raced from Governor’s Beach to Public Beach in chase of trophies, give-aways and pizza. The Fraser brothers, Shaune and Brett, dominated the swim, taking 1st and 2nd place. Last year’s men’s winners followed, swapping places this year, with Geoffrey Butler in 3rd and Seiji Groome in 4th. Lara Butler defended her 2009 Butterfield title, coming in first for the women and an impressive 5th overall. She was followed by Coral Tomascik and Danielle Boothe in 2nd and 3rd. The attendance at Saturday’s event continues remarkable growth in Cayman’s sea swims that mirrors the trend worldwide.(Left: Marisa & Kevin Poole)

Open water swimming is exploding as an exciting and user-friendly sport, attracting a wide range of participants looking for fun and challenging recreation.

In place of the usual tee-shirts, swimmers enjoyed premium beach towels as a finisher’s prize. The organizers benefited from the assistance of Sprint, for delivery of the towels, and Pizza Hut, for delivery of pizza, as well as numerous volunteers, in staging the sea swims.

With entries now approaching 200 CIASA sea swims look forward to exciting races ahead.