HISTORY makes a splash today with the 45th staging of the prestigious Lucea Cross the Harbour Swim & Regatta at the Bay View Beach in the Hanover parish capital.

The event, which is spearheaded by the Lucea Youth Club, first began in 1966 and quickly grew to gain a national following and reputation.

It has since become the island’s flagship watersports event following the abandonment of its Kingston counterpart several years ago.

The Lucea Cross the Harbour Swim & Regatta is now a full-fledged sporting entertainment package, and is open to entrants across the island and internationally, who vie for cash prizes, hotel vacations and air travel to the Caribbean and other destinations.

The day’s activity will kick off with the fishing tournament at 4:00 am, to be followed by motor and canoe boat racing and swim sprints.

The ultimate sporting event, the “Big (cross the harbour) Swim” starts at approximately 12:30 pm. This will be followed by the award ceremony at two o’clock.

Many of today’s competitors are expected to hail from the local community of fishermen, while local hotel and resort operators are also on board to participate in both operational and competitive aspects of the event.

There will be family and friendly entertainment throughout the day, including boat rides and a Kiddies Village. The festive atmosphere will be made complete with offerings from traditional mento and modern reggae bands, community based folk/dance groups, live steel band and of course a stage show featuring major reggae acts.

The idea of Lucea Cross the Harbour is credited to Ivanhoe Williams, a Gleaner staff photographer, who in 1962 submitted a photograph from his travels around the island which depicted young men diving and swimming at the DeLisser Wharf.

The accompanying storyline suggested the formation of a swimming club in the town and from this simple idea the sporting competition was born.

The event is the single biggest occasion in the western parish capital, and is highly anticipated and supported each year by locals and tourists.

The high value blend of sport, culture and entertainment has earned the event the endorsement of The Jamaica Tourist Board, Swim Jamaica, and Jamaican citizens across the island and Diaspora.