Bermuda is an island group about 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina.
It has a sub tropical climate and is 1 square miles surrounded by crystal
clear turquoise waters.
Bermudians are known locally as "Onions", a reference to
their agricultural past when the Island was famous for exporting Bermuda
onions. Today Bermuda is renowned as a centre for international business and
as a tourist destination.
Masters swimming in Bermuda has only recently been
formalized, but has had a strong following for many years. Initially Masters
swimming was an open water activity with swims along the coastline and in
Harrington sound, a unique inland saltwater area 6 miles in circumference.
Swimming training became more organized in the early 1980’s when two outdoor
25 meter pools were built.
Although Masters swimmers took part in local open water
and triathlon competitions, it was not until 1995 that Bermuda sent a
Masters team overseas to compete. This was in the III Latycar Championships
in Barbados.
In 1997 a Bermuda team competed in Mexico at the IV LATYCAR and are now looking forward to renewing friendships and rivalries in
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Bermuda is in the throes of building a 50 meter pool and
perhaps Bermuda could be a future host of this competition.