Nate Media –Roseau, Dominica – November 24, 2023
Renowned marathon swimmer Shannon Keegan is set to embark on a groundbreaking 66km swim along Dominica’s Waitukubuli Sea Trail, spanning from Scotts Head to Capuchin. The daring swim, scheduled to begin at midnight on Saturday, November 25, 2023, is expected to last between twenty to twenty-four hours. Keegan’s feat not only pushes personal boundaries but also aims to position Dominica as a premier destination for open-water and marathon swim attempts globally.
Shannon Keegan, a devoted mother, wife, swim efficiency coach, and podcast host based in the United States, ignited her passion for open water swimming with her first 10km swim at Bermuda Round the Sound in 2010. Over the years, she has consistently challenged herself with longer distances, achieving notable milestones such as a 59km swim in Lake George in 2022 and setting a record for the fastest crossing of Loch Ness in Scotland earlier this year.
Supported by a dedicated team, including two kayakers, a boat captain, two observers, and a team coordinator, Keegan’s swim is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to the growing popularity of marathon swimming as an open-water sport. This sport, added to the Olympics in 2008, has witnessed rapid growth, and a recent study on Trends in Outdoor Swimming indicates increased demand for outdoor swim coaches and venues.
The ambitious swim is supported by Weston Moses and his team from the Soufriere Outdoor Center (SOC), known for founding the Waitukubuli Sea Trail, the first marine trail in the Caribbean. The SOC has gained international recognition, being featured in prestigious publications such as TIMES Magazine, Conde Nast, and Paddle TV, and listed in National Geographic’s “The Cool List 2024.”
Marathon swimming’s rising popularity presents a significant market for Dominica to tap into, attracting adventure tourism enthusiasts and environmental conservation advocates. This trailblazing journey is made possible by the commitment of HHV Whitchurch and the Soufriere Outdoor Center to enhance Dominica’s position as a premier eco-destination. Whitchurch will partner with Keegan and her team to raise ecological awareness of Dominica’s seas and contribute low-cost solutions to keep waste from entering the waters.
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Information & Image Credit: Discover Dominica Authority
