| As sports and wellness tourism continues to grow, travellers are seeking active experiences abroad that feel authentic, purposeful, and memorable. BOWF meets that demand by building community both in and out of the water through organised post-swim dinners, happy hours, and other social activities. That sense of connection brings many participants back each year, including Maine-based swimmer Ed Tsuzuki.
Tsuzuki, 67, a swim coach for over 50 years, and a U.S. Masters competitive swimmer, has participated in the festival since 2014. “The mood is always upbeat, Soca music fills the air, and everyone is so friendly. The Bajan people make Barbados such a great place to visit. And of course, the food is terrific! Carlisle Bay provides the perfect venue for an open water festival,” he commented. Every year Tsuzuki brings along several fellow swimmers from the U.S.
Participants take part in practice swims, including the “Just for Fun” 1.5K swim, for the first three days, followed by two days of 1.5K, 3.3K, 5K, and 10K races, where athletes compete for age-category trophies and awards. All swimmers receive finisher medals, including ‘Just for Fun’ entrants. Safety is BOWF’s top priority. Lifeguards and a medical team patrol the swimming course, supported by volunteers on stand-up paddleboards and in kayaks. The Barbados Coast Guard and the Barbados Police Service also monitor the events.
Visitors can also experience the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, which coincides with the festival. Barbados is conveniently accessible from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Europe, Latin America, West Africa, and the Caribbean. The island offers accommodations for a wide range of budgets and travel styles, including hotels, resorts, guesthouses, self-catering apartments, holiday homes, and luxury villas.
Registration for the 1.5K, 3.3K, 5K, and 10K races closes at midnight on Wednesday, November 4. Registration for the 1.5K “Just for Fun” swim remains open until November 7. Visit www.barbadosopenwaterfestival.com for details and to register. |
