Bridgetown, Barbados – April 10, 2025 – Excitement is building as a talented contingent of young Barbadian swimmers prepares to compete at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Couva, Trinidad, from April 19th to April 22nd 2025. The athletes and their coaches express confidence and high expectations for the upcoming regional competition.
Assistant Coach Tamara Patrick is optimistic about the team’s prospects, highlighting the strength of returning medalists and the potential of new talent:
“Expectations for the swimmers are pretty good,” she told News On The Go during a recent practice session. “We have many returning swimmers, including Heidi Stoute, Jaiya Simmons, Kaija Eastmond, and Aaliyah Greaves, who all would have medaled last year, so we’re hoping that they medal again this year. And some newcomers Theo Narine, as well as Gabriella Babb, so we’re hoping that we can get a few medals and probably in some relays as well too.”
Joshua Ross, competing in the 15-17 age group, echoed the coach’s positive sentiment. Focused on his breaststroke and freestyle events, he declared, “My expectations are really high. I’m looking to (personal best) PB in every single race, achieve all of my goals, and podium in multiple events.” Ross also anticipates a positive team environment, believing it will be “a phenomenal meet with great a great experience.”
Kaija Eastmond, representing Barbados in the 11-12 age group, has been diligently preparing for the championships. “I have been working extremely hard over the past year for CARIFTA, so I’m looking forward to doing personal best times, making it into finals in all my events, as well as medaling and representing Team Barbados on the podium,” she shared, reflecting her dedication.
Jaiya Simmons, also in the 15-17 category, sees this year’s competition as a valuable opportunity for growth. “I think that racing older and more experienced competition will be really interesting…it’ll give me more of a push both like mentally and physically,” she explained. Simmons also finds comfort in the competition venue, noting, “they have really nice facilities and I’ve raced there before, so I think that’s gonna give me a level of confidence as I’m familiar with the pool.”
Coach Patrick emphasised the current training focus. “We’re just getting the athletes in the frame of mind for competition. Obviously, we’re coming together to train together as a team, cause everybody usually trains at their various clubs, so kind of getting that team spirit together and practicing relays so that they—cause you know, some of these swimmers are new to each other—so the team training will help bond, help them to bond.”
Looking back at last year’s success, Patrick highlighted the achievements of several returning athletes. “The performance was pretty good last year as well. As I say, the same people I mentioned earlier—Heidi Stoute, Jaiya, Aaliyah Graves, Kaija Eastmond—they would have all medaled last year. Heidi Stoute pretty much medaled in all of her events, from 50 free straight down to 15 free, so we’re looking for her for some good things again this year. She’s ranked pretty good, so we’re hoping for the best, although it’s her first year in the age group, she still is ranked pretty high, so it’s looking good.”
Heidi Soute, a key member of the 15-17 age group, is eager to build on her past successes. “This year I’m just really trying to emulate my past experiences at krifta and just do my very best and represent my country to the best of my ability,” she stated, adding, “I’m really looking forward to representing Barbados again, swimming best times and bringing home some medals.”
For Coach Patrick, guiding these young athletes is a fulfilling experience. “It’s really good because I myself would have been a national swimmer over 20 years ago, so -it’s really good to see the changes throughout the sport as well as give back and, you know, it’s—it’s a good feeling to be honest.” She also takes pride in the growing strength of female swimmers in Barbados. “It’s great to see females in sport. It’s always great to see females in sports doing so well. You know, you always look at sports as being a male thing, but it’s really good to see the females coming on and doing their thing.”
With a blend of experienced talent and promising newcomers, supported by dedicated coaching, the Barbadian swim team is heading to the CARIFTA Games with a unified sense of purpose and a shared ambition for success.
