Swimming Coach still buoyant

National Swimming Coach Rickydene Alexander is buoyant, despite this country’s showing at the recent OECS championships in Grenada.{{more}}

Alexander is happy that at least St. Vincent and the Grenadines is back into the fold of sub- regional swimming competitions.

Represented by a ten member team, the Vincentians docked in fourth in the championships, which also saw participation from Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia and host Grenada.

The host emerged tops, with 1780.5 points; St. Lucia 1586 and Antigua and Barbuda, 661, in that order.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines could only muster 67.5 points, but for Alexander, participation was of greater importance than winning.

“ We did well, seeing we do not have an Olympic size pool, and use the Villa Lodge pool, which is only about ten meters for sea water”, Alexander said.

“We use the pool for practice in turns, and dives and the sea water for endurance”, Alexander, who has certification from the Hungarian University of Physical Education, said.

He was quick to point out that the other participating islands have at least a 25 yard pool at their disposal.

Alexander was also high in praise for his young swimmers, for whom many were on their first major outing.

Shane Cadougan, Justin Sylvester, Brandon Browne, Zoe Porter and Ria Adams in the 8 and under category, Brandon Bristol, and Nicholas Sylvester in the 11-12, and Zephal Bailey, Arthur Laborde, and Maxian Richardson in the 13-14 age group.

Alexander was also grateful to corporate entities Digicel, Kendra’s Aluminum, SVG General Services and Quick Cash for their input that made the Grenada outing a reality.

Alexander was assisted by his namesake Neisha Alexander, the team’s Assistant Coach, also a certified Pan American Sport Organisation (PASO) coach.

Fresh from a one week PASO course in Mexico, Rickydene Alexander will be off again for another one week course, this time in neighbouring St. Lucia. (RT)