A regional business leader has completed a demanding 23-kilometre open water swim from Anguilla to St Martin and back to raise funds for community projects across both islands.
Dominic Boon, vice president of people at Liberty Latin America – the parent company of Flow Anguilla, took on the challenge in support of digital education initiatives and youth swim safety programmes.
He later broadened the scope of the fundraiser to support recovery efforts in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa caused devastating damage to the western side of the island.
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Boon set off on his long-distance swim on 18 November during what he described to Anguilla Focus as a “beautiful sunny morning at dawn”.
Joining him on his adventure were his two-member support team who travelled alongside him in the Calypso Charters boat, Blue Runner, skippered by Jayden.
Boon’s Flow colleague Harold Williams managed his food and nutrition, while All Nations United Swim Club Anguilla founder Richie Stephens was in charge of safety.
“I always say that open water swimming looks like an individual sport, but it is a team sport,” Boon said, adding that several people helped to plan the route and obtain necessary permissions.
“We had some great moments together when I stopped for my feeds every hour and Richie would read out to me the messages from the livestream.”
While the first leg of the swim went smoothly, Boon faced tougher-than-expected conditions during the return, including strong winds and rain.
Navigating currents flowing west to east along with up to seven foot swells and choppy seas, meant that the length of the swim was extended several kilometres.
“I would sometimes get big waves straight in the face and the team tried to position the support boat to protect me,” he said.
Boon had plenty of support, with the local Flow team greeting him on arrival in St Martin, and their colleagues, press, public and members of the Anguilla Tourist Board at the finishing line in Anguilla.
He told Anguilla Focus that he was “elated” to have completed the swim in a time of seven hours and 39 minutes: “I was tired and my mouth tasted of salt water, but it was an amazing feeling.”
Before the swim he set up an online fundraiser to allow supporters to contribute to the Liberty Caribbean Foundation which will fund projects in both Anguilla and St Martin.
Money from the foundation will support the Department of Education’s Project Inspire, a programme helping students in Anguilla access digital education.
It will also go towards Anguilla’s All Nations United Swim Club which teaches young people the life-saving skill of swimming.
“It is so important that more people of all ages learn to swim and can be safe in the water, and I know Richie shares this vision,” he said.
Following his successful challenge, he said he will now take some rest before returning to Anguilla in early 2026 to hand over the donations.
Boon has completed several major open-water swims in recent years, including a 14km route from Canouan to Union Island in 2024 and a crossing between Tortola and St John in 2023.
“Maybe there will be another Caribbean long-distance swim in the future,” he said.
To date, the challenge has raised US$9,625. Those wishing to add sponsorship can access the JustGiving page here.
Watch Dominic Boon’s arrival in Anguilla courtesy of Lloyd’s Live below:
