New batch of Grassroots swimmers take to water

A fresh intake of young swimmers into the Grassroots Programme of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Federation has taken to the waters.{{more}}

One of the target communities in this, the second phase of the programme, is Sion Hill, with Owia being the other.

And, last Sunday, which was the second week of training, saw 27 youngsters going through the fundamentals of the sport at Indian Bay.

Andre Liverpool of the Invershall Rastafari Movement, who is the chaperone of the programme, told SEARCHLIGHT that the programme is not only about swimming, but teaches the youngsters other life skills and life saving techniques.

Liverpool said that areas such as team work, time management and other forms of discipline will be reinforced during the programme.

He explained that because of the present unfavourable sea conditions at Sion Hill Bay, the programme had to be shifted to Indian Bay.

“Part of this programme must be done within the community and sometime within the 12 weeks duration, the Sion Hill Bay will be utilized,” Liverpool said.

The Mustique Charitable Trust sponsored Grassroots Programme began in 2013, with Rose Place and Layou being the first communities to be part of the initiative.

The first batch was instructed at the Shrewsbury pool facility. Liverpool, however, stated that the decision to change to the sea was for two reasons.

“There is some construction going on at the pool, plus open water swimming is a growing sport,” Liverpool proffered.

The current programme, which runs for a 12-week period, is being carried out by coaches Rickydene Alexander, Roy Bradshaw and Hope Perelman, who is also a co-sponsor.

During the programme, the attendees would be taught the basic swimming strokes, water confidence and safety at sea.(RT)