Bequia lads pooling natural swimming talents for national good

The latest addition to the talent available to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Amateur Swimming Association (SVASA) has come from the Grenadine island of Bequia.{{more}}

Eight youngsters, with no formal training in competitive swimming, ventured into the pool at Shrewsbury House last Saturday afternoon for the time trials put on by the SVGASA in preparation for the OECS Swim Championships set for November 6 to 8 in St Lucia.

Leader of the group Diandrous Williams, a former national Under-17 and Under-20 footballer, told SEARCHLIGHT that the boys’ talent is “all natural”.

Quizzed about their training methods, Williams revealed that apart from their natural swimming abilities, they use buoys as markers and simply swim to them.

“… We use a buoy … and have races among the boys… I will time them and we will know who is first, second and so on”, Williams said.

He also said the boys swim behind the gum boats, which helps to build their stamina.

Glad to be part of the national fold, Williams noted that they will be endeavouring to formalize their skills and learn the rules of the sport in the pool.

He said he is willing to be coached and pass on the proper techniques to the lads.

Williams was confident that a few of the swimmers from his contingent will be part St Vincent and the Grenadines team to St Lucia in November.

Meanwhile, President of the SVGASA Stephen Joachim welcomed the swimmers from Bequia, and added that it was good for the overall development of the sport in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The eight swimmers from Bequia joined the Black Sands Swim Squad and the Blue Marlins Swim Club in the time trials.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is expected to field a team of about 24 swimmers to the sub-regional event. (RT)