Twelve young swimmers from the BVI Barracudas Swim Club will compete this weekend at the Virgin Islands Swimming Federation Long Course Championships in St Croix at the Dolphins Pool. Photo: BVI Barracudas Swim Club

The Virgin Islands Swimming Federation Long Course Championships will take place May 3 to 4, 2025, at the Dolphins Pool in St. Croix. Photo: Facebook/VISF

Rebecca M. Nockolds is Coach of the BVI Barracudas Swim Club. Photo: Rebecca M. Nockolds

Coach of the Barracusas Swim Club, Rebecca M. Nockolds, told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on Thursday, May 1, 2025, the swimmers will feature in the 8 and under, 9-10 years, 11 to 12 years, and 13 to 14 years categories. 

“This meet is different to the majority that the team travels to as it takes place in a 50m (Olympic-sized) pool. For 3 of the athletes, it will be their first time competing in long course,” she said. 

Coach Nockolds, however, said it is a “great opportunity for the athletes to compete, drop times, and achieve new goal times”. 

The swimmers will compete on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, 2025, in 6 individual events on both days. The BVI Barracudas Swim Club will also compete in 4 relays. 

Meet the swimmers

The team traveling to St. Croix are Hannah Kazembe (11), Arun Bissoondutt (10), Naya Bissoondutt (9), Evelyn J. Freeman (10), Gavril B. Copaceanu (9), Lily A. Carey (12), Rylee K. Hustins (12), Sophia A. Payne (13), Harry S. Payne (12), Laila M. Flax (10), Kyrique S. Matthew (13), and Orla A. Turner (11). 

“The majority of the team will travel to St Croix on Friday, May 2nd, to gain some additional training time in the 50m pool on Friday afternoon ahead of their races this weekend,” Coach Nockolds added. 

This additional training will allow the swimmers to work on their turns and dives from the blocks, as well as get them familiar with and confident in the pool. 

“We have worked hard in the lead up to this meet and are expecting big time drops and hopefully a number of top 3 finishes,” she added.