Thirteen years ago, eight swimmers carried Jamaica’s flag into artistic swimming for the first time. Today, 36 will walk out in Coral Springs, Florida, for the Worldwide Artistic Swimming Invitational set for May 1-3, 2026.

Their participation is proof of a programme that has grown in size, depth and quality.

It’s the largest team Jamaica has ever sent, drawing athletes from Portland, Montego Bay, and Kingston, and featuring the country’s expanding male representation in a sport long seen as female-only. They’ll compete across Novice, Intermediate, Youth, and Age Group categories — a spread that speaks to depth from grassroots to elite. That depth was on display last year.

In 2025, Jamaica left Coral Springs with 43 medals and the High Point Trophy in the Intermediate Team category. The goal now isn’t just to match it. It’s to build on it.

“This competition represents more than participation; it reflects the dedication, discipline, and growth of our athletes and programme,” said Carolene Brown-Thomas, vice-president of Artistic Swimming at the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica (ASAJ).

“JAMUNITED embodies the power of collaboration across clubs, resilience in the face of challenges, and the belief that Jamaica can compete with excellence on the global stage.”

For the athletes, the meet is equal parts contest and classroom.

“It’s not just about winning medals,” said JAMUNITED swimmer Lisa Campbell. “It’s about learning from other athletes, seeing different formations and techniques, understanding how routines are judged, and connecting with swimmers from other countries. I’m proud to represent Jamaica.”

The technical side is led by Olga Novokshenova, a former Olympian with 20 years of coaching experience. She heads a staff of local and international coaches focused on one thing: technical excellence.

Under her, the programme’s strategic pillars are clear — expand participation from grassroots to elite, strengthen coaching and judging capacity, increase international competitiveness, and build sustainable partnerships for long-term athlete development. That last pillar has been critical. The Jamaica Tourist Board, private sector backers, and diaspora stakeholders have helped fund the trip, turning international representation from a dream into a calendar fixture.

Final preparations were culminated Thursday, April 24, with a joint training session at The UWI campus pool. It was the last time the full team had been together before departure — a unified send-off, music on, counts called, lifts polished.

ASAJ President Lance Rochester sees the meet as a launchpad, not a finish line.

“I am excited for the team as they prepare to participate in the Worldwide Invitational in Coral Springs, Florida. The athletes have prepared diligently, and this event provides immense exposure to a very high level of competition,” he said. “I am looking forward to our athletes giving of their best and returning to Jamaica with new energy in continued pursuit of their dreams and the development of Artistic Swimming in Jamaica. Best wishes to you all.”