KINGSTON:
The 2026 Mayberry High Performance Swim Classic will be held today and tomorrow at the National Aquatic Centre, Independence Park.
More than 1,000 swimmers from the prep/primary and secondary levels will be in action at the meet. For the high school division, which will be held today, the top 24 swimmers per event, per age group for both boys and girls will swim in events over 50 metres. For the 50m events, the top 32 swimmers will be in action. For the prep/primary division, which is slated for tomorrow, the number of events per swimmer is five, including relays for swimmers above six years old. For those six years old and younger, they will be allowed to swim four events, including relays.
At the recent official launch of this year’s meet, Desirée Wheeler, marketing manager at Mayberry Investments Limited, offered strong words of motivation, urging swimmers to trust their preparation, swim with heart, and leave everything in the water.
“To the athletes who will soon be taking their marks – whether you are a high schooler eyeing the national team or a prep school student experiencing the thrill of this arena for the first time – we want to say this: Your early morning practices, your immense discipline, and your passion for the sport do not go unnoticed. The countless hours you’ve spent perfecting your strokes have brought you to this moment,” Wheeler said.
Lance Rochester, president of the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica, praised Mayberry for its continued investment and proactive efforts to constantly refine the meet’s product. Highlighting the rich history of the event, Rochester recalled his own participation in over 20 Mayberry meets as a young swimmer. He emphasised the importance of balancing competitive performance with wellness and character-building in a supportive environment while extending immense gratitude to the dedicated officials and volunteers who make the massive undertaking possible.
Kayree Berry-Teape, chief executive officer of the Mayberry Foundation, expressed deep gratitude to the 2026 corporate partners for their unwavering commitment to the advancement of swimming in Jamaica. Berry-Teape emphasised that the collective investment in these aquatic programmes serves as a direct investment in national development. Swimming, she noted, instils vital life skills such as discipline, time management, and resilience in the youth.
“The support of these remarkable corporate partners extends far beyond the edges of the pool. Beyond the medals and the personal bests, our collective investment in these aquatic programmes is a direct investment in national development. Swimming instils vital life skills in our youth – such as discipline, time management, and resilience. By supporting this sport, we are not merely nurturing athletes; we are shaping the future leaders, innovators, and productive citizens of Jamaica. When our young people learn to push past their limits in the water, they develop the character and fortitude needed to drive our great nation forward” Teape said.
The 2026 event boasts a robust roster of sponsors, including Ultra Financier Limited, Wisynco Group, Cable & Wireless Business, FirstRock Group Limited, Matrix Group of Companies, AriSkin, IronRock Insurance, Supreme Ventures Foundation, and the ISSA Trust Foundation.
