A small but talented delegation from the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines recently made its mark at one of the region’s top youth swimming competitions, turning in impressive performances against talented international opponents. H20 Lions Swim Academy, based in Questelles, was the official representative of the country at the 2024 Sonia O’Neal Memorial Invitational Swimming Competition, which ran from May 21 to 24 on the neighboring island of Barbados.
Three rising young swimming stars carried the academy’s banner at the four-day event: Tezza Sutherland, who competed in the girls’ 9-10 age group, and Ezron Quashie and Tyler Forde, who raced in the boys’ 11-12 division. Leading the team through the competition were head coach Josel Williams and assistant coach Elise Quashie, who guided the young athletes through every step of the multi-day event.
Hosted by the Barbados Aquatic Sports Association, the annual invitational draws skilled young swimmers from across the Caribbean. The competition is designed not just to crown top finishers, but also to foster friendly competition and good sportsmanship between emerging athletes from different regional nations.
According to an official press release from H20 Lions Swim Academy, the team overcame unexpected hurdles to post strong results across their races. “Despite encountering a few challenges along the way, the young swimmers demonstrated remarkable determination, courage, and resilience in the pool,” the statement noted.
For many of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines athletes, several of the race events they entered marked entirely new competitive experiences. Yet every competitor rose to meet the challenge, approaching new races with confidence and excitement. The countless hours of training and commitment the three swimmers put in ahead of the meet paid off in full: all three athletes achieved personal best times across their events, a milestone many young competitors spend months working toward.
The value of the trip extended beyond just the on-pool results for the team’s coaching staff as well. The competition offered a unique chance for the academy’s coaches to observe racing strategies and training approaches from other regional programs, letting them expand their own professional knowledge and refine their coaching skills to better support future athletes at the academy.
For community members who are interested in learning more about H20 Lions Swim Academy, enrolling a new swimmer, or connecting with the program, head coach Josel Williams can be reached directly at 432-8701. To follow more local sports and community news from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, readers can subscribe to the iWitness News WhatsApp Channel.