SVGASA holds Swim -A-Thon

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Amateur Swimming Association (SVGASA) successfully staged Swim-A-Thon, at Indian Bay, last Saturday afternoon.{{more}}

The event, which saw participation from swimmers, members of the Executive of the SVGASA, coaches, parents and well-wishers, resulted in a total of 1,500M (one mile), being covered by the thirty participants.

With a combination of a relay swim, as well as each participant covering his/her 50M, the aim of the Swim-A-Thon, according to President of the SVGASA Andre Cadogan, was mainly a fund-raising venture.

“ We are trying to do creative steps to get the public image in swimming and also to raise funds, because we do want to use the usual fund-raising activities, that’s why we did this Swim-A-Thon,” Cadogan told SEARCHLIGHT, shortly after the event was completed.

“Each swimmer was given a sponsor sheet and it was the hope that each would bring in at least $100 for himself or herself, as we are trying to attend as many overseas meets as possible and we see the necessity that we are looking after most of the cost, as a consequence of going to government or the other bodies who normally assist us,” the SVGASA President added.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is preparing to attend the CCCAN Championships in Puerto Rico, in June, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Championships set for Antigua and Barbuda in November.

Cadogan said that the Swim-A-Thon was also a way of advertising the sport, hence the choice of the Indian Bay venue, which is popular on Saturdays. He said at Indian Bay, the public can look on.

“Swimming is vibrant in St. Vincent [and the Grenadines] and we are thinking of creative ways of keeping the kids involved and keep the interest of the general public going,” Cadogan said.

Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of acquiring better facilities for Swimming, Cadogan revealed that work has started at the pool at Shrewsbury House, at Brighton.