Six open water swimmers from Bermuda are tomorrow competing in the Nevis to St Kitts Cross Channel Swim.

Lesley-Jane Smith, left, Harold Kahler, Handsome Williams, Tobias Ahlqvist, Craig Munden and Scott Oliver are hitting the waters for the 4.1km event, starting at Oualie Beach, Nevis, and finishing at Cockleshell Bay, St Kitts.

Having done some of the most challenging races on the island, Smith is counting on her experience from swimming on the island to carry her through.

“Growing up as a competitive swimmer in Bermuda and taking part in open water events such as Round the Sound and the Devil’s Mile, this race feels especially exciting,” Smith said.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to swim in a new setting and experience the unique challenge of crossing from Nevis to St Kitts.

“As a triathlete, it’s also a rare treat to focus solely on the swim — and even better, to be able to stop once it’s done.”

Williams expressed his joy about flying the island’s flag in the Caribbean in a sport close to his heart.

“I’m truly grateful for the chance to take on this amazing experience with friends, representing Bermuda in St Kitts,” he said.

“Having grown up in the water back home, swimming has given me so much and I’m especially excited to meet new people, share stories and celebrate the sport we all love.

Two-time national champion Munden believes that he has a great opportunity to broaden his dominance beyond the island.

“Based on last year’s result I would say I have good chances, but it always depends on who turns up,” he said.

“It’s hard to tell what the competition will be like. Last year there were 478 competitors from the UK, the United States and all over the Caribbean, I’m not sure about who will be there this year.”

Munden is bracing himself for tough conditions he has not yet encountered while racing in Bermuda.

“I’m super excited to race in the Nevis to St Kitts Cross Channel Swim,” he said.

“I’m excited to race abroad for the first time in a long time in the open water. We’ll be swimming in crystal clear water and it looks like there'll be lots of wildlife, things we don’t necessarily get in Bermuda.

“I’ve not done a channel swim before, so it comes with a lot of challenges. There’s probably going to be a current going across us, there could be big waves compared to Round the Sound and the national championships we have in Bermuda.

“The race is being headlined by Alice Dearing, who was the first black swimmer for Great Britain at the Olympics in the open water. I trained with her for a couple of years and it should be a good competition and high-quality event.”