Long before 12-year-old Kaija Eastmond surged ahead of the field to claim gold in the 50-metre backstroke on the opening day of the 2025 CARIFTA Aquatic Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, her father, Jamar, had his phone poised and recording. Clad in the familiar aquamarine and gold of Barbados — a mirror of the colours on his daughter’s swim cap — he was visibly nervous. But as the race unfolded and it became clear Kaija would touch the wall first, anxiety gave way to unbridled ecstasy.
By the end of three days at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, Kaija had racked up seven medals – and her parents’ pride was unmistakable.
“As a parent, I’m exceptionally proud,” Jamar’s said. “I want to thank God for being there for her. I’m very supportive of the family as well, because encouragement is important and, you know, I think that’s what got her going.
“She’s worked so hard for this,” said her mother, Karen. “Six days a week, double sessions – morning and evening. It’s been demanding, not just for her but for us too. The meal preps, the physio, the massages . . . and still we’ve got full-time jobs. It’s a journey, and not an easy one.
Discipline
“But what’s been beautiful is that despite it all, Kaija’s schoolwork hasn’t suffered. If anything, she’s more disciplined,” Karen added with a smile.
What began as weekend swim lessons – which Kaija tearfully resisted – soon became the stage for something much greater.
“She cried every Saturday,” Karen recalled. “Didn’t want water in her face. But then one coach noticed her talent, and she just . . . bloomed.”
That blossoming is a story familiar to other parents in the stands.
Terence Mayers, whose daughter Isabelle swam for Barbados in the 15-17 category, remembers the exact moment he realised swimming had changed her.
“I was working and couldn’t travel when she first made the national team for the Goodwill Swim Meet in Trinidad. She went as this shy girl and came back with seven medals and a glow of confidence,” he recalled. “You support financially, yes, but also emotionally and spiritually. And sometimes, the hardest part is knowing when to push and when to step back.”
Mayers, a quietly competitive parent by his own admission, has grown to appreciate the value of adapting to Isabelle’s pace.
“She’s 5’11” at 15 (he is 6’3” and his wife is 5’10” tall), and a coach from Alpha Shark Swim Club (ASSC) saw her potential years ago just from watching a learn-toswim class.
Since then, it’s been tapering, nutrition, mindset . . . all of it. We’re her biggest fans.”
Lisa Martin, mother of 15-year-old Ayoka, is more than a cheerleader as a chaperone for the swim team this year. With both her children in the
sport, Martin’s life revolves around the pool, but her support is grounded in more than just logistics.
“My support is spiritual first,” she said. “We keep God first. But it’s emotional too. I always tell them to talk to us or to someone they trust. Whether they medal or not, what matters is they don’t give up.”
She remembers Ayoka’s beginnings at The People’s Cathedral Primary School, where a coach spotted her promise at just eight years old. That belief has grown into a shared mission, one Martin is proud to lead from within the team. “Being there means everything. That word of encouragement after a race, win or lose, can mean the world.”
For Katrina Newitt, watching her son Zachary make his CARIFTA debut in the 11-12 age group was nothing short of emotional. “Many kids in their first year don’t even make the finals, let alone medal – but Zachary did,” she said. “And he used to be terrified of water on his face.” Newitt enrolled him in Aquability to help him overcome his fears, and it turned out to be life-changing. “Now he lives for the water. But this level – CARIFTA – it’s a different challenge. As a mum, I’ve had to learn to let go a bit, to give him space to grow into his own independence.” The financial strain of the sport is real, she added, but so is the generosity of the community and Corporate Barbados. “We’ve had to make sacrifices, but we’ve also been blessed. And emotionally, I’m always there to remind him he’s his biggest competition. With God and the right mindset, he can do anything.” Whether it’s ironing swim gear, prepping meals, or whispering prayers from the stands, these parents form an unspoken backbone of Caribbean youth sport.
“We’re up before dawn, we’re there through the nerves and the losses,” said Jamar Eastmond. “But nothing beats the moment you see your child touch that wall first. You support with all you have and thank God for the chance to witness their dream unfold.”
