Black Sands Swim Squad (BSSS) produced an outstanding performance at the SVG Gallagher National Swim Championships 2026, with 32 swimmers representing the club.
The championships, held from 27–30 August 2026, attracted swimmers from across SVG, as well as visiting competitors from Barbados, Grenada and St. Kitts.
BSSS finished the championships with an impressive 108 medals, consisting of 46 gold, 46 silver and 16 bronze medals.
The championships also provided an exciting opportunity for BSSS to introduce several new swimmers competing at their first SVG National Championships while representing the club. The swimmers were Kandre Deshong, Dre Byam, Damarie Carrington, Darius Humphrey, Freya Providence-York, Grayson Richardson and Keri and Erin Dickson.
There were notable performances, improvements and personal best times by all BSSS swimmers. Janai George, Azalea Cox and Seth Byron finished third in their respective age groups, whilst Anthony George and Rayshana Boyce-Edwards finished second overall.
In the Girls 8 & Under category, Sarai Williams enjoyed a remarkable championship, winning nine gold medals. Her performances earned her both the Overall Age-Group Champion Trophy and the Sprint Challenge Trophy. Williams also broke two National records in the 7-8 years age category:
– 25 meter backstroke: previous record – Eltonique Leonard, 19.80
New record – Sarai Williams, 19.49.
– 50 meter breaststroke: previous record – Zariel Nelson, 45.97.
New record – Sarai Williams, 45.25.
In the Girls 9–10 category, Ira Hadley collected nine gold, one silver and one bronze medal, continuing her impressive development as one of BSSS’s emerging young swimmers. She ended the meet by receiving the trophy for overall age group champion.
In the Boys 9–10 category, Methuselah McLean won seven gold and five silver medals and was awarded the Overall Age-Group Champion Trophy.
The Boys 13–14 category was dominated by another outstanding BSSS performance from Kione Deshong, who won nine gold and three silver medals and claimed the Overall Age-Group Champion Trophy. He also obtained four new SVG National Records:
– 100m Breaststroke: Previous record — Bryson George, 1:08.03
New record — Kione Deshong, 1:06.81
– 200m Breaststroke: Previous record — Alex Joachim, 2:33.14
New record — Kione Deshong, 2:30.63
– 100m Butterfly: Previous record — Eltonte Leonard, 1:01.69
New record — Kione Deshong, 1:01.39
– 200m Individual Medley: Previous record — Alex Joachim, 2:19.53
New record — Kione Deshong, 2:16.89
BSSS Head Coach Kyle Dougan commented “Kione’s 1:06.81 in the 100m breaststroke is a very significant swim. When you look beyond our national rankings and compare the performance with international age-group results, it puts Deshong among the fastest recorded 14-year-old boys swimming the event internationally.”
“For a young swimmer from SVG to produce a performance at that level is something we should all be extremely proud of. It demonstrates the potential that exists within our young swimmers and shows that athletes from the Caribbean can compete on an international level.”
Former BSSS swimmer Tyler Robinson, who now resides and trains in Jamaica but returned to try and secure a place on the national team made an immediate impact, breaking three Boys 15–16 SVG National Records:
– 100m Breaststroke: Previous — Shane Cadogan, 1:05.78
New — Tyler Robinson, 1:05.08
– 200m Breaststroke: Previous — Alex Joachim, 2:30.25
New — Tyler Robinson, 2:28.
– 100 IM: Previous – Matthew Ballah, 1:01.03
New – Tyler Robinson 1:00.84
BSSS thanks the SVG Swimming Federation for their continued support and also congratulates the other local teams, especially Blue Marlins who won the trophy for best overall club. The BSSS team comprises of Assisant Coaches Kathleen Bute and Joann Matthews and Team Manager Desmond Cox and Vanessa Hadley.
BSSS and Tropical Shipping will be hosting their 1st Developmental Meet on Saturday 26th September 2026 at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Center. This is a meet for existing and aspiring swimmers in SVG. Anyone wishing to participate are encouraged to do so.
