BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PARTICIPANTS and observers of the annual Basil Henderson Easter Monday Aquatic Sports Meet always seem to immensely enjoy themselves to say the least, and this year’s event, the 57th edition, brought with it six additional activities that boosted the gratification level of both groups.
The meet saw an increased level of participation in the traditional events which included distance underwater dive, the long distance swim, the butterfly race, the backstroke race and the freestyle race.
Of particular interest to onlookers was watching and cheering on those individuals who were bold enough to try their hand at the greasy pole. In this event, a utility pole is suspended horizontally from the pier at the Ferry Terminal over the sea and at the end of it, a ham was tied.
It would seem quite simple for an individual to skillfully make his/her way across the pole and untie the ham, but because of the ample grease that is smeared across the pole, the task is quite difficult.
There were two hams, and two winners, one of whom is Ikimba Daniel who has been winning at that event for more than seven years. He had told SKNVibes at one point years ago that he would be retiring from the sport but there is an obvious attraction which seems unable to shake.
Fastened to the top of a heavily-greased vertical pole was a cash prize of $475 and, again, those daring enough to try their hand at the event had to skillfully defy the odds and dismount the pole with the prize.
Added to the list of activities for this year’s event were the bun-eating, hula-hoop, jump-rope (skipping) and kayaking competitions. According to the organiser of the event, Winston ‘Zack’ Nisbett, also known as ‘De Cultural Doctor’, the participants were excited about their introduction and they were well-received by the observers.
In the bun-eating competition, six buns were suspended by strings and without using their hands, the excited partakers were expected to eat all of the bun ahead of their competitors.
Hula-hoop might look like it does not take much effort, but keeping the circular apparatus in motion for as long as possible could be a challenge, one which a number of males and females faced head-on in about four rounds of competition.
In giving an overview of the event, Nisbett said the hula-hoop and bun-eating competitions were of particular interest to the crowd. He said the new events were added because “we wanted to add a little more creativity into the mix to keep the crowd going”.
“This year the momentum was there, the excitement was there from the crowd, especially with the hula-hoop. Participation was very good and we saw several new faces this year. I think they may have come from overseas for the CARIFTA Games”.
More than 100 prizes, including smart phones, cases of beverages, glassware sets, electronics, a weed eater, medals, perfumes and Scenic Railway tours, were distributed to the many winners, which was followed by a boxing exhibition that also drew a large crowd.
During the transition between the prize giving ceremony and the boxing exhibition, musical entertainment was provided by the A and B International Band, which was also an innovation for this year’s event.
