KEY WEST -- For Rames Rodriguez, Saturday's 14th annual Florida Keys Community College Swim Around Key West was more than just a race circumnavigating the island. For the Cuba native, who now lives in Port St. Lucie, it was a chance for the Master Swimmer to complete a grueling course in waters that reminded him of home.

"It was awesome, it's a really good race," said Rodriguez. "It's just a nice swim. You can always see the bottom, the water is very clear and it is nice how the tides change. It was just a really comfortable race since I swam in waters like this as a kid."

Twice a year Rodriguez said he competes in distance swims, but never before had he attempted to complete the 12.5-mile journey around Key West, so coming into the event he said he had no idea what to expect. However, following his first-place overall finish, ahead of all the relay teams, Rodriguez said he is now excited to return next year and defend his title.

"Honestly, I was thinking I'd finish in about five hours," said Rodriguez. "But when I got to the last turn, I thought at that point I could go for the record and really pushed it."

The only thing standing in his way of the record: the heat from the afternoon sun.

"I didn't expect it to be so hot," said Rodriguez. "After I made that last turn, the water got really hot and I had to stop to drink every 20 minutes. The heat was the hardest part of the day."

After completing the course and reaching Higgs Beach, Rodriguez said he believed he had broken a course record, but later was informed he was 40 minutes shy of the mark. Nevertheless, the winner of the 14th annual FKCC Swim Around Key West was pleased with his first race off the Southernmost Island, in waters similar to his early days of swimming.

"Four hours and 16 minutes is a good time for anybody," said Rodriguez. "But most of all, it's really nice to get first place in Key West. I'm from Cuba, so it's very similar to my country, so it reminded me of swimming at home. This was a great event and I look forward to being back next year."

jwcooke@keysnews.com