In a celebration of a decade of excellence at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort on Saturday night, Get Grenada Swimming commemorated 10 years of National Learn to Swim Weeks and a total of more than 10,000 swimmers taught during that time.
Site Supervisors and swim instructors from 12 sites including Carriacou and Petite Martinique, were on hand for the festivities, along with many sponsors, organisations, and supporters of the swim programmes.
Hon. Jonathan LaCrette, Minister of Youth and Sports was on hand to discuss the importance of learning to swim and to hand out special awards. The first award, “Swim Instructor of the Year” was given to Sandra Patrick for her incredible work in teaching adults to swim on Grand Anse Beach. The second award, “Swim Instructor of the Decade” was bestowed on Nataly Regis for her considerable impact on swimming in developing swim instructors.
![](https://nowgrenada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Site-Supervisors-and-Instructors-from-St.-Davids.jpg)
Sponsors from across the island were present and acknowledged. A special tribute was made to the Sandals Foundation for the immense support they have given to the National Learn to Swim Weeks and the Level II Swim Instructor Programme. Deleon Forrester, PR Manager, said, “Sandals Foundation is a very proud sponsor of the Swim Instructor Programme. We are delighted to see the instructors graduating tonight. They are the future of the programme and we want this culture shift and this movement of sustainability to continue with swimming.”
Nearly 100 people were in attendance for the festivities which included a video on the history of Get Grenada Swimming.
![](https://nowgrenada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Nataly-Regis-Swim-Instructor-of-the-Decade.jpg)
Awards were given, sponsors were acknowledged for their support, and the organisations supporting Get Grenada Swimming were recognised, in particular Kirl Hoschtialek, Chief Operating Officer from the GTA (Grenada Tourism Association); Veda Bruno-Victor, General Secretary from the GOC (Grenada Olympic Committee), and Jane Noel from her years on GASA and the GOC.
Also, special recognition was given to Lorna Samuel, who was instrumental as Marketing Manager at Republic Bank in getting the programme started and contributing to the first 8 National Learn to Swim Weeks. Deb Eastwood, Director for Get Grenada Swimming, gave a heartfelt story about Samuel and how they brainstormed the idea of a National Learn to Swim Week together. She stated that the swim weeks may never have started without Samuel.
![](https://nowgrenada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sandra-Patrick-Instructor-of-Year-Son-Joshua-Graduating-Instructor.jpg)
One of the highlights of the evening was the graduation of the latest class of Level II Swim Instructors. This programme, sponsored by Sandals Foundation and taught by Nataly Regis, Senior Swimming Coach, Ministry of Sports, is a 6-month, 64-hour course with an intense curriculum designed to produce professional swim instructors and coaches. It is approved by the Grenada National Training Agency for NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) and the curriculum was jointly developed between Nataly Regis, the GNTA and a consortium of experts in the field of swimming such as Dr Jane Noel past GASA president, Kingsley Ashby past Technical Director of GASA, Omar Hughes Swim Olympian and past technical director, Michael Davidson past national swim coach and others.
Ten swim instructors graduated at the ceremony, bringing the total number, over the past 4 years, to 46 professional instructors trained. Get Grenada Swimming has a goal of training 100 instructors by 2027.
The recipients were
- Levi Antonio-Nyack — Grenada Marine Instructor
- Jonathan Clyne — Grand Anse Instructor
- Amonie John Holas — Sauteurs Instructor
- Lillian James — Grand Anse Instructor
- Sheldon Jeremiah — Grand Anse Instructor
- Teon John — Grenada Marine Instructor
- Akaya McCleod — Grand Mal Instructor
- Joshua Patrick — Grand Anse Instructor
- Kevin Phillips — Grand Mal Site Supervisor
- Sydney Brow — Grand Anse Instructor
Joshua Patrick was recognised for 100% attendance and Sydney Brow for the highest class score ever obtained in the 4 years of class instruction. (97.8%)
![](https://nowgrenada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sandals-National-Learn-to-Swim-Week-Flyer-Photo.jpg)
Deb Eastwood, Director, concluded the evening stating, “As we continue our journey, we remain committed to making swimming sustainable in Grenada. We want to express heartfelt thanks to the countless supporters – whether you are providing resources, teaching swim lessons, or just being a strong friend and advocate for our cause. This could not have been successful without so many of you joining in our quest to provide swim lessons to all! Truly we have been blessed and we thank God for the abundance of his blessings.”
Learn to Swim as swimming is a critical life-skill. People are invited to attend the Sandals National Learn to Swim Week being held from 8–12 July at 18 locations around Grenada. Individuals may sign up now at www.getgrenadaswimming.com
Get Grenada Swimming