Swimmers, soccer and volleyball players, skateboarders, kayakers, paddle boarders and other athletes gathered at the Vincent Mason pool in Frederiksted Sunday for the third annual Caribbean Beach Games.
The event began at noon and lasted until 7 p.m. Early in the afternoon, a few adults played volleyball, some children practiced beach soccer and a handful of young men raced, jumped and sped down a skateboard ramp.
Event organizer Lishati-Shumba Bailey said the event was free and more than 600 participants were expected before the end of the day. Games included volleyball, soccer, a beach race, a race pitting kayakers against paddle boarders and swimming. Since there was no water in the pool, the swimming races were to be held in the sea.
“We want to get the community interested in sports,” Bailey said.
This year’s theme was “The Show Love Caribbean Beach Games,” sponsored by St. Croix Athletics, the Army National Guard and Legacy Clothing, according to Bailey.
Throughout the day there were skate boarding exhibitions, a football toss with prizes sponsored by the Army National Guard and food for sale. The St. Croix Dolphins gave away literature about the swimming team and the air was filled all day with upbeat music courtesy of several local deejays.
John Ruiz and other skateboarders practiced their moves for a video they are producing about Freedom City Board Shop – a surfboard, paddle board and skate board facility near Tres Veho restaurant and Frederiksted Beach.
Senior Airman Roy Joseph and Master Sgt. Michelle Huggins managed the football toss for younger participants. Joseph said the Army National Guard has been involved for two years and sponsors the event to “let people know the Army Guard is here.” Most people are aware of the presence of the Virgin Islands National Guard but not the Army National Guard, he said. Joseph and Huggins gave away miniature footballs as prizes.
Sunday night after the games, Bailey said not as many vendors came out as expected, but “it was an excellent day nonetheless.”
