The Jamaica Inn Foundation (JIF) is hosting its 3rd Annual Open Water Swim, “Swim for the Sanctuary” on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the White River House beach, located east of Shaw Park Beach Hotel in Ocho Rios. Races will commence at 7:30 a.m. and swimmers of all levels are being invited to participate in races of varying distances for individuals (500m, 1Km, 3Km, 5km) and a 4X100m sprint relay as well as a 500m paddleboard race. Entry fees are J$2500 per race for Jamaican residents and US$75 for International participants.
The Event has been endorsed and sanctioned by the ASAJ (Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica) and the Jamaica Tourist Board, who are also sponsoring the event at the Gold level.
A number of our core sponsors have already ‘jumped into the water,’ including Caribbean Producers Jamaica (CPJ) who came on board as Title Sponsor of the Event. Other sponsors include Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance, JTB and Couples Resorts at the Gold level and Rainforest Seafoods, Wisynco, Digicel and Sagicor at the Silver level. Iron Rock Insurance, One Great Studio, Marksman, S Hotels Jamaica, Smatt’s Rum and Jamaica Inn are all Bronze sponsors.
All funds raised will enable the White River Fish Sanctuary (WRFS) to continue its vitally important Protect, Restore and Engage work. The WRFS is a designated “Special Fishery Conservation Area” off the coast of Ocho Rios, St. Ann. Since its first patrol in November 2017, the fish population and other marine life has increased dramatically and the coral pieces that have been ‘planted’ out are flourishing in new reef growth. The six-year old Sanctuary has achieved its “500 in 5” biomass goal and has seen much success in its outreach programmes, conducted mainly by its wardens who help to raise awareness of the Sanctuary’s importance and Jamaica’s entire marine environment. The results from their 2022 marine assessment highlighted the following accomplishments in its first 5 years of operation: 55% increase in fish size; 47% increase in fish numbers and 28% increase in coral cover.
For additional information contact:
Kenisha Burke
Office Manager, White River Fish Sanctuary
[email protected] Tel: 876 316 7704
www.whiteriverfishsanctuary.com
Instragram@whiteriverfishsanctuary
