Operations at Guyana’s first ever “Learn-to-Swim” school is scheduled to begin next week Monday, with classes set to take place six days a week at the school’s facility located, Industry, East Coast Demerara.
Headed by national swimming coach, Stephanie Fraser, the privately owned and operated swim school will feature a learn-to-swim programme that caters for swimmers from as young as two-years-old.
“My friend Dr. [Nadira] Jaikaran and I will be opening Guyana’s first Learn-To-Swim school, which will be located on Industry, Main Road, next door to Oleander Gardens.
“(We) will be offering and teaching all aspects of aquatics. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do (and) now I have the financial backings,” Fraser told Stabroek Sport in a recent interview.
Fraser, a member of the America Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA), said that this venture will be a pilot programme not only for individuals interested in becoming competitive swimmers, but for all persons interested in learning the sport.
Additionally, the institution is expected also offer other services such as aqua therapy.
According to Fraser, the school is expected to be accredited by SwimAmerica, and will be following that programmer’s state-of-the-art curriculum.
“I’m a member of the American Swimming Coaches Association, but not their Learn to Swim programme [SwimAmerica], so SwimAmerica will be accrediting me to run programmes for them here.
“I will have to follow their syllabus, and have authorisation to certify persons here in Guyana. It would be a nursery for the 50m pool,” Fraser added.
SwimAmerica is an internationally renowned programme created by the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA).
According to its website (SwimAmerica.org), SwimAmerica is a state-of-the-art natural feeder programme and progression into competitive swimming. The curriculum is for infants through adults and can be used to teach all abilities, in any pool.
Registration fee for the classes are $5000 per month, with members attending classes twice a week; Monday and Wednesdays, Tuesdays and Fridays or Thursdays and Saturdays.
On Mondays and Wednesdays classes for toddlers from 2 – 4 years old will be held from 2pm to 3pm, classes for swimmers five years and over will be held between 3:30pm – 6:30pm. The same schedule presides for classes on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Thursdays’ classes will only cater for swimmers in five years and over category, being held from in sessions from 3:30pm – 6:30pm. Saturday classes will also have sessions for the older age group being held from 8:30am – 10:30am.
