All set for ‘Swim for the Sanctuary’ on November 2

ON-TIME, make that ‘ahead-of-time’, the buzzword for start times at Jamaica Inn Foundation’s Swim for the Sanctuary, ready for its fourth staging on Saturday, November 2, at White River House (Shaw Park) Beach in St Mary.

“Everything is of international standard,” reminded Alan Beckford, race director and chief timekeeper, quoting last year’s start times, 30 seconds ahead of schedule, during last Wednesday’s launch hosted by S Hotels in New Kingston.

Highlighting the “competitive part” of the annual fundraiser for the White River Fish Sanctuary as the 5K, 3K, 1K and 500-metre races for respective age groups, Beckford described the rest as “fun”, pointing to water-polo demonstration, paddle-boarding and the relay event.

Kyle Mais, director, Jamaica Inn Foundation, said the meet, now internationally recognised, has been fixed, annually, for the first Saturday in November.

“It is a major fundraiser for the White River Fish Sanctuary, a very significant achievement,” Mais said of the 400 acre ‘no-fishing’ zone, established in 2015 out of “despair and plight of local fishers”, explained Belinda Morrow, sanctuary founder and Jamaica Inn Foundation board member.

Mais, an avid swimmer, encouraged organisations, teams and schools to participate in the relay, boosting proceeds for the fish sanctuary to be manned by local fishers whose livelihood depends on the protection of marine life and preservation of coral reefs where fish spawn.

Pointing out that “tourism has the most to lose”, Mais said Jamaica Inn, marking 66 years of operation, continues to act responsibly in its actions, sustaining many initiatives to support the ecosystem.

Dr Carey Wallace, executive director, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), said supporting Swim for the Sanctuary was part of the tourism ministry’s thrust to encourage “all-included” tourism, not only “all-inclusive”, a concept on which the industry now thrives but needs diversification.

“Jamaica is the fourth-largest English-speaking country in the Americas behind the United States, Canada and Guyana,” Wallace pointed out, noting that opportunities in the blue economy abound for the island, adding, “the blue economy is 25 times that of the land mass”.

Scotia Insurance returns as gold sponsor for Swim For The Sanctuary, joining Jamaica Inn, Caribbean Producers Jamaica, Jamaica Tourist Board, TEF, Jamaica Inn Foundation, Couples Resorts, Rainforest, WATA, IronRock Insurance, S Hotels, Marksman, Massy Distribution, Mr Rehab, Smatt’s and one great studio.

Ainsley Walters