The Maracas Open Water Classic is Trinidad and Tobago’s longest running swim event. It is scheduled for September 25th 2011 at Trinidad’s premier beach on Maracas Bay. The Maracas Open Water Classic has been in existence since 1949 and attracts swimmers of all ages from 5 to 80. Three races are now a part of the only annual open water event run by the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago. A 5K is held concurrently with a 2.65K race that is open to swimmers age 13 years and over. There is also a 750-meter race for children 12 years and under.
Over 250 athletes participated in the 2010 event including Gordon Borde (shown on left) who is the Chairperson of the Organising Committee. Borde placed 75th in 2.65K race last year and won the 70-74 year category. Borde has participated 60 times in the Maracas Open Water Classic, arguably more times than any other active swimmer at any other single contemporary open water swimming event.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.