Sport and the Arts Meet at This One of a Kind Training Camp

Grand Cayman welcomes an international group of sprint and hurdle athletes united in their pursuit of peak performance for the upcoming Olympic qualifiers. Dedicated to full-time training, they balance track workouts at Cayman National Stadium with strength and flexibility sessions at Palm Heights Athletics. Under the mentorship of renowned coaches and therapists Stuart McMillan and Brendan Cole, the athletes undertake eight weekly sessions, honing their bodies to deliver top speed on the track.

Recognising the crucial role of rest and recovery in sustaining balance and longevity, the Palm Heights residency programme offers athletes and coaches a uniquely holistic opportunity. Over a three-month period, the camp’s participants immerse themselves in a blend of cultural programming, spanning diverse creative disciplines, enriching their training experience and, ultimately, enhancing performance.

Head Coach and ALTIS CEO, Stuart McMillan tells Something Curated: “The traditional prescriptive approach to recovery in sport may not be as effective as allowing athletes to be creative, and identify what suits them best. I encourage athletes to engage in activities they enjoy. Whether it’s taking longer hikes, swimming, or practicing yoga or Pilates, the key is to engage in the things they love.

Empowering athletes to manage their recovery, rather than imposing strict protocols, is essential for both their autonomy and well-being. This flexibility not only aids physical recuperation but also boosts mental recovery, energising both body and brain through exploring their interests.”

Specialising in sprint events, the resident athletes from Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Canada, Ghana, USA and Great Britain all have Olympic aspirations. Amidst the stress and pressure, a well-rounded training and recovery regimen provides space for well-deserved respite. At Palm Heights, athletes have seized the chance to pursue their other interests and exchange knowledge through collaborative efforts and athlete-led master classes.  

For example, British sprinter Jodie Williams hosted a coffee tasting for International Women’s Day, featuring four coffees sourced from female-owned farms. Kim Hyacinthe experimented with image making, collaborating with visiting photographers, while Olamide Sokunbi, Queen Clay, Evonne Britton and others worked on a fashion shoot with Palm Heights’ concept store, Dolores. Culinary experiences and music also play significant roles in fuelling athlete sessions and fostering collective celebration.  

Jodie Williams says: “Combining creativity and training at intensity has been a huge unlock for me. During the past few years, creativity has become my outlet. Exploring the different mediums of creativity has allowed me to maintain balance and become more comfortable in myself whilst competing. Exploring things like coffee culture, drinking coffee, the community around it and the history and representation of coffee producers has been something I have enjoyed delving deeper into.”

The Caribbean Sea has been a therapeutic space for many of the visiting athletes. Sprinter Norris Spike, who has been exploring the water through guided floats, comments: “Floating in open water allowed me to relieve tension and clear my mind feeling lighter physically and mentally and ready for the next tough training day ahead.”

Fellow athlete, Amira Young adds: “I have felt a real connection to nature through water sessions like paddleboard yoga and swim. These have been instrumental in replenishing my energy during the hard training months. The residency has allowed me to experience world class training alongside exploring the wellness tools offered across the programming, whether that be physical, spiritual or emotional.”

Expanding on Palm Heights’ cross-disciplinary initiatives, Sport Culture and Athlete Curator, Jennifer O’Reilly elaborates: “Whilst working with world leading coaches and elite athletes we curate experiences that are authentic to sports performance but also elevated through infusing cultural touch points in music, the arts, and culinary, celebrated in an organic and nurturing collective ethos.

Providing athletes with the platform and opportunity to collaborate with creatives opens opportunities for them beyond the world of sport, which is often a challenge whilst training full-time. We continue to support athletes as they transition into retirement and to explore creative opportunities with them by empowering them to fuel their impact on the collective.”



Feature image: Left to right — Amira Young, Kim Hyacinthe, Brendan Cole, Cravon Gillespie, Stuart McMillan, Chris Royster, Jodie Williams, Norris Spike, Jennifer O’Reilly, Ameer Webb, Olamide Sokunbi. Photo: Sam Su