The Journey of Xaiden Valentine and his XAI DAYS
Celebrate each splash and victory with me!!
What is Xaiday (Zay-day)
“Jump into my journey with me — from the everyday hustle to the big wins. Every swim is a chance to level up, push harder, and celebrate how far we’ve come. Let’s make every splash count. Let’s make every day a Xaiday.”
XAI DAY - Chapter 2
29th Goodwill Swim meet
“In August 2025, I was proud to suit up for Trinidad & Tobago at the Goodwill Games in Barbados, racing against the best swimmers from across the Caribbean 🌴🏊♂️.
Over three intense days, I raced in 12 events — 9 individual swims and 3 relays — pushing myself every time I hit the water. I ended up breaking 8 individual records and helped my relay teams shatter 3 more, stacking up 11 gold medals and 1 bronze along the way.
Okay, breaststroke isn’t my strongest 😅, but I never backed down. I kept racing, kept believing, and that challenge made it another unforgettable XAI DAY!”
XAI DAY- Training
My USA Club
“All my XAI DAYS start with my home club 💙 SWIMMAC Carolina gave me the foundation, the discipline, and the grind that built me into who I am. Every lap, every early morning, every win — none of it happens without my club and my coaches. Wherever this journey takes me, they’ll always be part of it. To my fellow swimmers: trust the journey, trust the process, and trust your coach… because my club really owns all my XAI DAYS 😂💦”
Xaiday- Wear with pride
My National Cap
Is a cap just a cap? Not mine 👑💦
After the Goodwill Games, every time I pull on my national cap, I feel that rush all over again — the adrenaline, the team vibes, the pride. On days when I don’t even feel like hitting the pool, I put it on and boom… instant power-up ⚡
This isn’t just a cap — it’s my crown. It reminds me who I am and where I’m going.
So what’s your XAI DAY superpower that gets you through the tough days?”
Xaiday- Chapter 3 - 2nd Edition
Quality vs Quantity
“Is being first always the win… or is it how you show up that really matters? 💭
On my second trip to Trinidad, I was locked in — months of training, my last meet in this age group, and my only shot to qualify for CARIFTA 2026. Then boom… I got sick 😩
But I still raced. I still showed up. Because racing is what I love.
Even though I wasn’t seeded first, I believed in myself. ‘I got this.’
On the final day I had to scratch a race, and later at awards they called me… second place 😲
I had won all 8 of my individual races and all 3 relays — but the overall winner swam more events.
And that’s when it hit me… quality beats quantity.
I’m proud of my 2nd place, proud of my journey, and proud of how I showed up.
That’s a real XAI DAY 💙🔥”
Xaiday- My “Trini” club
A home away from home
I’ve got two citizenships, two passports, two parents, two homes… and now two swim families 💙🏊♂️
I’m proud to rep RWBAA (Red White and Black Aquatic Academy) and forever grateful for the chance they gave me. From day one, they welcomed me like family — and that means everything.
No matter where I race, RWBAA will always be part of my story. Proud member for life. ♥️🔥