International lawyer begins 30km swim from Trelawny to St James for beach rights

October 25, 2026

An international human rights lawyer and ultra-marathon swimmer is undertaking a 30-kilometre swim from Trelawny to St. James today, as part of a campaign advocating for greater public access to Jamaica’s beaches.

Australian barrister Eva Buzo is swimming from Half Moon Bay in Trelawny to One Man Beach, formerly Old Hospital Park Beach in Montego Bay.

The approximately eight-hour swim forms part of the Swim for Rights campaign, which is calling for the repeal and replacement of Jamaica’s colonial-era Beach Control Act of 1956.

The campaign is also advocating for Jamaica’s seas, beaches and coastal lands to be held in common for all Jamaicans.

The undertaking forms part of Ms. Buzo’s four-nation Against the Tide campaign, which highlights beach privatisation, environmental destruction and community displacement across small island states.

The Jamaican leg is being led by the Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JABBEM) in collaboration with the small islands coalition and the Jamaica Environment Trust.

Speaking on IRIE FM’s Africa Forum: The Running African this morning, JABBEM President Dr. Devon Taylor provided details of the swim.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DR-TAYLOR-ON-SWIMMER.mp3

While speaking to the media earlier, Ms. Buzo said she is ready for the swim.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/BEACH-LADY.mp3