DEB COMPLETES NEVIS TO ST KITTS CHANNEL CROSSING!

Congratulations Deborah Jackman for completing the Nevis to St Kitts Channel Crossing!

Here is Deb's Inspiring Nevis to St Kitts Event Report:

The 25th Anniversary of Nevis to St.Kitts Cross Channel swim took place on March 28th, 2026.

Prior to race day, I had a few opportunities to get out into the open ocean to acclimatize to the conditions - buoyancy, temperature ,waves, currents and the blooms of Sargassum (seaweed).

Race morning we boarded a ferry at Cockleshell beach in St. Kitts at 6am and were taken over to Oualie Beach in Nevis where the race would start at 8am. 

It was a clear sunny morning and you could look across the ocean and see the finish line(using a white building on shore as a sighting marker). There was a buoy at 200m, then every 500m until the final 100m marker for a total of 4.25km The ocean looked fairly calm from the shore with only a light ocean breeze.  Average water temperature was 27C.  There were 500 racers starting  including an Olympic medalist from Great Britain. 

I place myself 2/3 the way back as it was a mass start on gun time.  Once we hit the water the washing machine was turned on.  I was kicked in the face a couple times and had to readjust my goggles and was forced to swim breaststroke for a while due to the congestion. Once we cleared the 200m buoy and were out of the boating area we could spread out more.  By the time we hit 500m I think I found a little space to actually start getting into the groove.  All was going smoothly until just before the 2500m mark, this is where you really feel where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea.  There were noticeable swells of 3-5ft and a current.  It was hard to sight the buoys as they would get hidden in the swells (luckily I kept the building on shore in sight).  I started to feel a little motion sick and had to take a moment to gather myself and watch the horizon while doing a bit of side stroke.  Once I got my wits about me, I carried on getting into the rhythm of the swells (occasionally being on the top and finding no water under your arm when you take a stroke😂).  There was also some Sargassum blooms(seaweed)to contend with.  I had to stop after swimming through patches to pull it off of me as it was itchy. Once I got past the 3.5km mark I was able to pick back up knowing the end was clearly in sight.  

This was my first open water ocean swim and I’m very pleased with the outcome.  My swimming has come a long way in the last 3 years from learning to swim and conquering panic attacks to now feeling free in the ocean! I have a feeling there will be more longer distance swims in my future! 

Also wanted to add another fun day for the Dynamic Duo on April 4th, Julie Matt and I completed the 10K Bunny Run in Arnprior!

Deborah Jackman