CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS — Swimrite Swim Club Nevis, in partnership with Empire Sports Club, is proud to announce the 1st Annual MV Christena Commemorative Open Water Swim Meet, scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Gallows Bay in Charlestown, Nevis.
The event is being held in honour of the memory of the MV Christena, one of the Caribbean’s most remembered maritime tragedies, and seeks to unite sport, remembrance, and community through the spirit of open water swimming.
Swimmers from across St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider region are invited to participate in the 1-kilometre open water swim, which will begin at 10:00 a.m., with registration opening at 9:00 a.m.
Participants will navigate a rectangular course around Gallows Bay, starting and finishing on the Charlestown side of the bay. The event is designed to challenge athletes of varying ages and abilities while promoting fitness, resilience, and community engagement.
Competitors will vie for honours in three age categories:
12 years and under
13 to 19 years
20 years and over
Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place finishers in each category.
Registration for the event is EC$75.00 and includes a participation medal, commemorative swim cap, water, and light refreshments.
According to organizers, the inaugural event is intended not only as a competitive sporting occasion but also as an opportunity to reflect on the past while inspiring future generations.
“This swim is about more than competition. It is about remembering those we lost aboard the MV Christena, celebrating the strength of our community, and encouraging swimmers to challenge themselves in an atmosphere of unity and respect,” the organizers said.
The event is open to all swimmers, with organizers encouraging athletes of all skill levels to take part in what is expected to become an annual fixture on Nevis’ sporting calendar.
For registration and additional information, interested persons may contact 660-7544 or 667-3334, email swimriteskn@gmail.com, or scan the registration QR code featured on the official event flyer.
Under the theme “Swimming Forward, Remembering the Past,” the Swimrite Swim Club Nevis hopes the inaugural MV Christena Commemorative Open Water Swim Meet will serve as a lasting tribute while fostering a culture of health, endurance, and community spirit.