Bermuda’s swimmers will be looking to pick up where they left off when the 2013 Carifta Swimming Championships get underway today at the National Stadium Pool in Kingston, Jamaica.Last year saw the Island claim a record haul of 12 medals that included six golds and establish 16 age group records, one overall national open record and 51 personal bests in the pool.Leading Bermuda’s charge was newly crowned Junior Male Athlete of the Year, Jesse Washington, who is one of seven surviving members of the Island’s 18-strong team from the one that competed at the previous Carifta Swimming Championships in Bahamas.Washington won seven medals at last year’s junior regional swim meet, including gold in the 100 and 200 metres freestyle, 100 and 50 metres butterfly and 50 metres freestyle to walk away with the boys 11-12 age group title.This year will see the top junior swimmer compete in the 50 and 100 metres backstroke, 100 and 50 metres butterfly and 50, 100, 200 and 400 metres freestyle in the boys 13-14 age group.“Last year Jesse was able to capture the 11-12 age group championship trophy with his spectacular medal haul,” said national swim coach Ben Smith who is accompanying the team in the Caribbean. “This year he moves up to the 13-14 age group and is hoping to continue his success. He has the potential to have another great meet.”Bermuda’s new look team also contains Washington’s Sharks Swim Club stablemate, Shannon Hassell, who won three medals competing in the girls 11-12 age group at last year’s Carifta Swimming Championships. The Saltus student won gold in the 200 metres backstroke, silver in the 100 metres backstroke and bronze in the 50 metres backstroke and also set multiple personal bests in the pool.“This will be the third time that Shannon competes at Carifta,” Smith said. “She has moved into the 13-14 age group this season but will be looking to replicate what she did in the 11-12 age group last year. Shannon won gold, silver and bronze medals at last year’s Carifta helping us to have one of our most successful meets ever.”Hassell is competing in the 50, 100 and 200 metres backstroke and 100, 200, 400 and 800 freestyle this year.“Shannon has shown promise in the backstroke events but will also be showing her worth in freestyle this season,” added Smith.Eleven members on Bermuda’s team are making their Carifta Swimming Championships debut this year. They include Vaughn Rowse, Dejan Wellman, Alex McCallum, Megan Lau, Josh Irvine, Evan Farrow, Ethan Daley, Alex Pilgrim, Emma Harvey, Ashley Irby and Alyssa Paynter.Rowse, one of the most senior members on the team, is set to make history as the first Bermudian to compete in the Carifta Swimming Championships 5K open water swim that is the latest addition to the regional swim meet.Bermuda’s swimmers touched down in the Caribbean on Wednesday and have wasted no time getting acclimatised to their new surroundings.“We have had one practice so far in the pool and several sessions of stretching,” Smith said. “The eight lane 50 metres pool in Kingston was built in 1966 for the Commonwealth Games. The main pool is in good shape.“The team has settled in very well so far and they are all getting along well.”The 2013 Carifta Swimming Championships will be held from March 30 to April 3.