Craig Munden, the Open Water Bermuda National Championships 5km champion, is anticipating a strong challenge at Clearwater Beach tomorrow.

Munden, who fought off strong competition from Logan Jones last year, has a youthful Noah Fulton to contend with this time around. Former Olympic triathlete Tyler Butterfield, whose son Walker has registered for the 1.5km, will be also challenging Munden for the title.

In June, Munden was beaten to the finish line by Sam Williamson in the Devil’s Mile, three months after he won the Nevis to St Kitts Cross Channel Swim. With a possibility of Williamson competing tomorrow, the 29-year-old cannot wait to hit the water.

“I’m really looking forward to defending my title and racing against the island’s best open water swimmers,” Munden told The Royal Gazette.

“My training has been going well and I’m excited to race for the first time in a few months.

“The race also serves as an important stepping stone towards Round the Sound in October, giving Bermuda’s swimmers a chance to assess their form ahead of a strong field of international competitors coming to the island.

“I came second to Sam Williamson in the Devil’s Mile on June 28, so I’ll be trying to win this time around.”

With last year’s 5km female champion Jorgia White missing the event as she has started her college studies overseas, 2024 winner Nina Coetzer will be the firm favourite.

Jones is only doing the 400 metres as part of fulfilling his duties as captain of both the Sharks Swimming Club and Warwick Academy High-Performance Sport programme.

Mike Cash and Nick Strong, organisers of the championships, are expecting a good turnout with 107 swimmers registered by yesterday.

The championships provide local swimmers with a great opportunity to prepare for the more challenging Round the Sound, scheduled for October 11.

“The open water championships are a great tune-up to get ready for the 10K Round the Sound swim in October,” Munden said.

“I just keep missing out on the Round the Sound win. I’m really grateful to Ed von Herberstein, winner of Round the Sound 2020 and one of the best swimmers before he left the island a few months ago.

“He was a great mentor for me and I want to win this year to repay his years of support.”