DESPITE an early morning downpour, over 100 participants braved the weather to turn up at the opening of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Summer Swimming Camp that is being held at the Colgrain Pool, Camp Street, with the participants being urged to aim high as they embark on a new journey in their lives.

The eager youngsters, between ages six and 16, turned up at the facility to commence six weeks of training in the fundamentals of the sport, with the course be conducted by Cuban coach Isabel Maria Couso Fals with support from six other local instructors.

Over the years, this programme has consistently produced quality swimmers who later moved on to represent Guyana at various levels in the sport and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony in his feature remarks, told the participants and parents present to make maximum use of the opportunity being afforded them.

He informed his audience, which also included Director of Sport Neil Kumar, that the government has been making significant investments in the sport, speaking in direct reference to the construction of the Olympic-size swimming pool at Liliendaal.

While he urged the youngsters to be attentive and learn the intricacies of the sport, Dr Anthony also encouraged persons with the requisite skills to take up the mantle of lifeguard, an area of the sport he feels is short on human resource.

“Last year we ran a special programme for Lifeguards with a Canadian group and this year we want to offer that programme again because we feel that it is important to train Lifeguards to international standards. We’re not compromising on that,” said Dr Anthony.

He added, “After that training, many of those persons who received training they went off in different areas. They take the training and they’re not giving back, so I’m hoping that those of you who have swimming ability and who are interested in becoming Lifeguards that we can get some of you to be trained and also that you come back and help us.

“Because, if we are going to run sessions then we’ll need people, who can offer safety to the persons who are swimming. We don’t know when accidents can occur, but when they occur we must have all the safety measures and precautions in place to prevent anything serious from happening.”

According to Kumar, this is just one of 11 other camps the Ministry will be hosting in various disciplines during the August holiday and while insisting that the participants must focus on their academic uplifting, he also urged the youngsters to aim for excellence in their swimming pursuits.

Sessions will be held from 09:00hrs to 12:00hrs on weekdays with the youngsters being divided into groups, based on their age and while some of the participants are first-timers, others already have some level of training and will be tutored on the more advanced aspects of swimming.

At the conclusion of the camp, the participants will be given Certificates of Participation, while those interested in furthering their skill will be placed in clubs.