The St Maarten participants in the Anguilla’s Clean Ocean Sweep. Half mile winner Kian Taroenoredjo (third right), one mile winner Micha_el Alexander (right) and second place for one mile Jayden Williams (third left back row) with fellow St Maarten participants and Coach Franklyn “Franky” Carty.
ANGUILLA--St. Maarten swimmers from the Dolphins Swim Club delivered a dominant performance at the third annual Clean Ocean Swim 2026, securing most of the top ten finishes during the event held as part of Festival Del Mar.
Rising Dolphins swim star Kian Taroenoredjo captured first place in the half-mile race, swimming from Island Harbour to Scilly Cay and back. In the one-mile event, Dolphins standout Micha_el Alexander secured first place, while teammate Jayden Williams finished second.
Dolphins swimmers continued to impress in the half-mile category, with Faniel Labady placing third, Fania Labady, who was also the first female to complete the Swim, fourth, Benae Dawkins Fitzpatrick sixth, and eight-year-old Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin – also the youngest participant – finishing seventh. Additional strong performances came from Daijha York, aged nine, who placed tenth and Ariana Giddings, also nine, who placed 11th.
Swimmers representing Frankie’s Swimming School also competed, including Rai Thompson, who placed eighth; Gregory Charmes, 14th; Ramzan Juman, 15th in the half-mile; and Martijn Steffens, who secured third place in the one-mile race.
A total of 25 swimmers completed the event, which required participants to swim from Island Harbour to Scilly Cay and back once for the half-mile, and twice for the one-mile. Among the top finishers not from St. Maarten were Josiah Minnot of Anguilla, who placed second in the half-mile, Tyler Charrasse Da Costa in fifth in the half mile, and Vashon Vanterpool, who placed ninth in the half mile. In the one-mile race, Paul Jones finished fourth, while Kayleigh Vanterpool rounded out the five participants.
The Clean Ocean Swim featured competitors ranging in age from eight to 69 and was hosted by the All Nations United Swim Club. Held annually during Festival Del Mar, the event is a family-friendly swim that brings together siblings, cousins, parents, grandparents, and children for a day of fun in the water.
All finishers received medals for completing the swim, and their names were entered into a random prize draw for a chance to win prizes including cash, electronics, accessories, boat rides, dining experiences, hotel stays, and more. Several St. Maarten athletes were among the raffle winners.
