Last week, in spite of rain, swimmers were taught across Grenada in 17 locations, including Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
The islands came alive with children 5 years and older, as well as adults, who continue to be an integral part of the programmes. As last year, summer camps and groups throughout the island integrated swim lessons into their programmes. One summer school programme at St Andrew’s Methodist brought 80 swimmers to Telescope Beach. Kris Belfon in charge of those children expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and talked about how much the children enjoyed the lessons.
Swim weeks began in 2015 and now happen twice a year in April and July. For the second year in a row, last week’s event was sponsored by the Sandals Foundation and organised by Grenada Youth Adventures through its Get Grenada Swimming programmes. Lessons were taught in beaches, rivers and pools, and in spite of some very rainy days, attendance was great. Special thanks to Republic Bank, GTA, and Waggy-T for tents and big thanks to True Blue Bay Resort who donated one of their pools for the 9th year in a row.
Deb Eastwood, Director of Grenada Youth Adventures, was happy with the turn out noting, “It was wonderful considering all the rain we had. I want to especially thank Sandals Foundation for being our sponsor. The National Learn to Swim Week forms part of the Sandals Foundation’s Caribbean-wide Ocean Connect programme geared at teaching children how to swim. Sandals also has a commitment to helping us train Certified Swim Instructors (along with NVQs awarded through the National Training Agency). We are working towards a 5-year goal to put 100 people through this intensive curriculum taught by Nataly Regis, Senior swimming coach, Ministry of Sports. The goal is to ensure that swimming is a life-skill available to all and achieving this goal of 100 coaches will ensure sustainability of a swim culture on our island.”
Most free Saturday lessons will take a break during the school holidays, however, Grand Mal Beach (across from SOG at the Go Cool Steps) will be teaching from 10 am to 12 noon each Saturday. All the other locations will resume activities in September. More info may be found at www.getgrenadaswimming.com or by contacting Deb Eastwood on WhatsApp at 404-5237 or email [email protected].
Get Grenada Swimming
