The Amateur Swimming Association Of Trinidad & Tobago (ASATT) has been hosting and organizing the Maracas Bay Open Water Classic for over 50 years, making it one of the longest continuously run open water competitions in the Americas. Well-known open water swimmers from Fran Crippen to Gerry Rodridgues have participated in and won this event over the years.

But for the second time* in its long history, a 14-year-old won its signature 5 km event along the beautiful north coast of Trinidad.

Up-and-coming Christian Marsden has big dreams for his future and left his mark with a dominant 1 hour 9 minute victory in his native Trinidad and Tobago’s most popular event. Last year, the young teenager placed in the top 20 in the 10 km marathon swim at the Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation Games in Costa Rica and finished third in the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games 5 km in Jamaica.

Caitlin Nolan, a professional marathon swimmers from Canada, won the women’s race in 1 hour 11 minutes with Jivan Chee Foon (1:13.45.30) and James Gillette (1:13.46.70) following in the calm waters under hot, sunny skies.

Christian Marsden is shown on left with third-place James Gillette on right.

* Gerry Rodridgues won the race at the ages of 13, 14, 16 and 17 during his teenage years.

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