MCYS/NSC Teach Them Young Swim programme continues to make a splash as over 3,000 youths register

Jul 17, 2026 Sports

Kaieteur Sports – With the July-August school vacation in full swing, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), is once again equipping Guyana’s youth with an essential life skill through its annual Teach Them Young, Learn to Swim programme.

The Government-funded initiative, which runs from July 20 to August 14 in Georgetown, has attracted more than 3,000 participants between the ages of six and 18, continuing its mission of promoting water safety, confidence and healthy lifestyles among the nation’s youth.

Since its inception, the programme has introduced thousands of young Guyanese to the fundamentals of swimming, while instilling safe practices around water. Organisers are expecting another successful edition as interest in the initiative continues to grow each year.

MCYS/NSC Teach Them Young Swim programme continues to make a splash as over 3,000 youth(s) register

Swimmers at Albion Estate Pool.

Safety remains a cornerstone of the programme. Alongside a team of qualified swimming coaches, members of the Guyana Lifesaving Association are present throughout each session to supervise participants, assist with instruction and ensure every child learns in a safe and controlled environment.

Activities are already underway in Regions Two, Five, Six and Ten. Sessions in Region Two (Essequibo) have concluded with close to 200 children benefiting from the programme, while the Albion Pool in Berbice and Watooka Pool in Linden are currently hosting more than 400 participants combined.

The focus now shifts to Region Four, where activities will begin on Monday at the Colgrain Pool, Camp Street, and continue until August 14.

National Sports Commission Swim Coach Paul Mahaica, supported by a dedicated team of coaches, instructors and lifeguard assistants, continues to oversee the delivery of engaging and secure sessions aimed at helping participants build confidence in the water.

To ensure the smooth operation of the programme, organisers have implemented a structured registration system, with participants assigned class dates and times according to the alphabetical order of their surnames.

At the Albion and Watooka pools, three one-hour sessions are conducted daily between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, while the Georgetown programme at Colgrain Pool will accommodate demand with six one-hour sessions each day, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Since the programme resumed in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 21,000 persons, including adults and persons living with disabilities, have successfully participated in the initiative.

The programme is also set for further expansion, with Region Eight expected to be included later this year for the first time, extending the reach of one of the country’s most impactful youth development initiatives.

To confirm sessions, follow below:

Kindly follow the schedule assigned to your last name to ensure a smooth and organised process.

Age Group 6 A (A-I) Dates: 20th ,22nd, 24th ,28th,30th July 4th,6th ,11th,13th & August, 2026 8am-9am

Age Group 6 B (J-Z) Dates: 21st, 23rd, 27th, 29th July, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th & 14th August, 2026 8am-9am

Age Group 7 A (A-J) Dates: 20th ,22nd, 24th ,28th,30th July, 4th,6th ,11th,13th & August, 2026 9am-10am

Age Group 7 B (K-Z) Dates: 21st, 23rd, 27th, 29th July, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th & 14th August, 2026 9am-10am

Age Group 8 A (A-H) Dates: 20th ,22nd, 24th ,28th,30th July, 4th, 6th, 11th, 13th & August, 2026 10am-11am

Age Group 8 B (I-Z) Dates: 21st, 23rd, 27th, 29th July, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th & 14th August, 2026 10am-11am

Age Group 9 A (A-H) Dates: 20th ,22nd, 24th, 28th, 30th July, 4th, 6th, 11th, 13th & August, 2026 11am-12pm

Age Group 9 B (I-Z) Dates: 21st, 23rd, 27th, 29th July, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th & 14th August,2026 11am-12pm

Age Group 10,11,12 &13 A (A-H) Dates:20th ,22nd, 24th ,28th,30th July, 4th, 6th ,11th, 13th & August, 2026 11am-12pm

Age Group 10,11,12 &13 B (I-Z) Dates: 21st, 23rd, 27th, 29th July, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th & 14th August,2026 11am-12pm

Age Group 14,15,16&18 B (I-Z) Dates: 21st, 23rd, 27th, 29th July, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th & 14th August,2026 1pm-2pm

PARKING ADVISORY: Strictly NO PARKING inside the Colgrain compound. Please do not block the entrance.

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MCYS, NSC, Young Swim programme

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