Nearly 200 swimmers will take part in the 10th annual Karen Beaubrun Swim Meet, hosted by Seajays Swim Club this Saturday and Sunday at the Rodney Heights Aquatics Centre. All six clubs in the Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation (SLAF) will compete in more than 50 events, with age groups ranging from Under-9 to 18 and over.
The host club is aiming for their eighth straight title, while their main rivals, Sharks Swim Club, are also hoping to win. Other teams competing are Lightning Aquatics, RR Aquatics Rhinos, Southern Flying Fish and Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre.
Top swimmers at the meet include Mikaili Charlemagne, Jayhan Odlum-Smith, Tristan Dorville, Naima Hazell, Naekeisha Louis, Karic Charles and Sapphire Parks. Charlemagne (Sharks) and Odlum-Smith (Seajays) are both Olympians, having competed at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. They are the top seeds in the women’s and men’s sprints and hold several short-course national records.
Dorville (Seajays), Hazell (Lightning Aquatics), Louis (Unattached), and Charles (Lightning Aquatics) have all returned from the United States, where they compete in college swimming. Dorville swims for Virginia Tech and will race against his club teammate, Odlum-Smith. Charles is also expected to be a strong contender.
Hazell, who swims for Seton Hall University, and Louis, from the University of North Carolina Pembroke, are top seeds in several events. Their races against Charlemagne are expected to be highlights of the weekend. Some of these events will also feature Parks, a standout junior for Seajays and Saint Lucia, who has won the high points trophy at CARIFTA Aquatics for two years running.
This year’s event marks the 10th anniversary and is held in memory of the late Karen Beaubrun, who was a swim coach and administrator. In addition to the races, one swimmer from each club will receive the Karen Beaubrun Award, which honours coach Karen’s values of discipline, perseverance, and a positive attitude.
Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children under 13.
