2-Mile Swimmers get on their way from the Bitter End Yacht Club fuel dock in North Sound to Leverick Bay for the Swim The Sound on June 2, 2019. Photo: VISAR

Contestants of the Swim and SUP the Sound 2019 were treated to quality goody bags. Photo: VINO

Engaging in a game Musical Chairs at Swim and SUP the Sound 2019. Photo: VINO

Engaging in a game of Tug-o-War at Swim and SUP the Sound 2019. Photo: VINO

His Excellency the Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert and other dads were covered with shaving cream, during one of the many fun activities at Swim and SUP the Sound 2019. Photo: VISAR

One of many little faces that were painted on Sunday June 2, 2019 at Swim and SUP the Sound at Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda. Photo: VISAR.

Children engaged in some pool fun at Swim and SUP the Sound 2019. Photo: VISAR

His Excellency the Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert also competed for the second year, placing 17th in the 1-Mile Swim with a time of 54:17.3. Photo: VISAR

Some 61 contestants entered the annual Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) Swim and SUP the Sound on June 2, 2019, making it one of the most successful events since its inception in 2014. Photo: VISAR

Some 61 contestants entered the annual Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) Swim and SUP the Sound on June 2, 2019, making it one of the most successful events since its inception in 2014. Photo: VISAR

Some 61 contestants entered the annual Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) Swim and SUP the Sound on June 2, 2019, making it one of the most successful events since its inception in 2014. Photo: VISAR

The 1-Mile Swim attracted 29 swimmers but it was Natasha Ruscheinski (centre) who came out number one. Ruscheincki completed the distance in 34:02.6 and also won the Corporate Challenge, representing Deloitte. Photo: VISAR

Shane Donovan (centre) won the 2-Mile Swim with a time of 54:38.2. Photo: VISAR

Last minute registration for Swim and SUP the Sound 2019. Photo: VINO

The fundraising event includes 2 and 1 mile swims as well as Stand Up Paddle Boarding.

The 2-Mile Swim, which started at the Bitter End Yacht Club fuel dock, saw Shane Donovan beating the field of 19 swimmers with a time of 54:38.2. 

Yohan Kremer was second in 58:00.7 while Cathryn Hempel came in third in 1:01:00.3.

The 1-Mile Swim attracted 29 swimmers but it was Natasha Ruscheinski who came out number one. Ruscheincki completed the distance in 34:02.6 and also won the Corporate Challenge, representing Deloitte.

Mark Doig finished second with a time of 39:20.1 while Saskia Connor-Louw was third in 40:49.0.

His Excellency the Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert also competed for the second year, placing 17^th in the 1-Mile Swim with a time of 54:17.3.

Other winners

In other events, Kim Takeuchi won the 1-Mile Assisted Swim in 41:47.4 while Hannah Thayer won the 2-Mile Assisted Swim in 57:34.4.

The champion of Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) was Marc Downing who completed the two-mile distance in 43:38.6. Second was Wil Seddon (48:52.1) and third Tasia Veenkamo (55:17.8).   

“This year the sign-ups were slow to come in but as we approached race day there was no need to be worried! We ended up with 61 contestants in total making it our most successful Swim and SUP the Sound since it's kick off in 2014,” commented Operations Manager of VISAR, Julie Schneider.

While the swimmers battled it out in the open ocean, there were several activities for children and adults alike, including watercolour painting, face painting, musical chairs and Snuba lessons.

“New this year, we added the one-mile corporate challenge, with the winner bringing back a magnum bole of champagne to their office. We had swimmers from Deloitte BVI, Mourant, Grant Thornton BVI, Conyers, Hauteville Trust, FCO office and the Governor the Honourable Gus Jaspert competing in that category,” Schneider added.

Sponsors of the event included KRyS Global and Carey Olsen as well as CCT, Road Town Wholesale, Bitter End Yacht Club, Leverick Bay, Carefree Boating Club, Speedy's Ferry, RailRiders, Sail Caribbean Divers, Dive BVI, Sunchaser Scuba, Oil Nut Bay, BVI Snuba, Green and Clean, ARK, Grape Expectation, TerraForma and Blue Rush Watersports. 

The next Swim and SUP the Sound will be held on June 7, 2020.