The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport in collaboration with the National Sports Commission summer swimming programme is currently underway at Colgrain pool.
Coach Britany van Lange (right) demonstrates to the young swimmers yesterday.
The programme, which started with 105 participants, was launched on July 12 by the Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony. According to the administrator Abraham Watson the programme is designed to teach the participants how to swim and is being conducted by Cuban coach Isabel Maria Cousa Fals with assistance from a number of local swimmers including Britany van Lange.
He said that the students are being taught about the basics such as breathing control, kicking, arm movement and formation of strokes. Watson informed that the programme lasts for 6 weeks which is a short time to teach ‘how to swim’, but the basic skills acquired from the course can be further developed during future clinics.
Watson indicated that 27 students from last year’s course have graduated to the National Aquatic Centre where they are now training for competitions. He disclosed that they are hoping to launch the ‘Learn to Swim programme’ by September.
“Thereafter the participants from the summer and the learn to swim programmes will be assessed by coach Isabel Maria Cousa Fals, after which they will be transferred to the National Aquatic Centre for further training”, added Watson.
He informed that 91 of the 105 students never swam.
One of the participants being assisted by local swimmer Haresh Bhagwan.