Dear Editor: The Baranof Barracudas Swim Club held the Change Your Latitude open water race last weekend.
Eighty-nine race participants swam in 10, 6.6, 3.3, and 1 kilometer distance events in Sitka Sound between the Sitka Sound Science Center and Cannon Island. It was exciting to see over 20 people who live in Sitka compete in the race. Swimmers also traveled to Sitka from communities around Alaska and from the lower 48 and Hawaii. As expected, Sitkans wowed these independent travelers with hospitality and small town charm.
Change Your Latitude is a big lift that cannot happen without support. The Fisherman’s Quay was a huge help, providing human power, logistical support, and financial support. The Sitka Sound Science Center opened its grounds and the Mill Building for the event. Sitka Parks and Recreation rented space in Blatchley to us for the pre-race spaghetti dinner. LSF and The Yellow Jersey donated door prizes with local flavor.
The U.S. Coast Guard provided motor boat support. The Fire Hall lent VHF radios. St. Gregory Catholic Church lent us what we needed to have – hot water on the site during the race. The Sitka Fine Arts Camp allowed people to park on their campus. Tents were borrowed from our local Rotary Club chapter (thankfully the weather cooperated and we didn’t need to set up tents.) In addition to these local businesses and organizations, Xterra, a wetsuit/paddle board company, sponsored the race.
Change Your Latitude can only happen with the hard work of volunteers. There are so many jobs in an open water race – registration, timing, coordinating, setup/take down (on land and in the water), cooking, boat support (power boat and kayak), medical support, and more. All these jobs require people. And, people showed up!!
The combination of fun race participants, awesome sponsors, and a crew of people who showed up to do the work, made the 2026 Change Your Latitude race a huge success. That success brought in funds that will help the Baranof Barracudas keep Sitka’s kids swimming, which makes our community safer and healthier. Thank you all!
P.S. The Baranof Barracudas will be holding tryouts for new swimmers soon and we have a masters program for adults. Email barracuda.sitka.art@gmail.com if you want more information.
Brent Edwards,
on behalf of the BBSC Board
