The
‘Swim for Life’ pilot project that aims to train 25 children aged between 8
and16 will kick off on Friday, 19 August 2016 at the Friendship Hotel at the
Independence Stadium in Bakau.
The
project, aimed at saving Gambian
children from the risks of drowning in sea, is overseen by the Gambia Press
Union in collaboration with the Red Dolphins Life Guard Association The Gambia,
the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia and the Gambia Swimming
Association.
“It
is absolutely crucial that Gambian children know how to swim at a young age
because there is water all around us and teaching them how to swim is essential
to their safety.”
Swimming
is an ideal sport for the well-being of one’s body in the long-run. Aside from
weight loss, introducing your child to swimming early on will promote a healthy
life. Once he or she learns to swim, they may hop in a pool or in the sea at
any point in their life without risk. Also if your child knows how to swim at a
young age, this skill will forever be with them.
Not
only does this project aim to save children from drowning in the sea while
enjoying themselves, the project also aims to develop professional swimmers for
The Gambia for major competitions in years to come hence the catch phrase,
“Catch Them Young”.
The
month-long projects aim at training many more Gambian children following the
successful completion of the pilot project.
Trained
coaches from The Gambia Swimming Association and the Red Dolphins and Life
Guard Association members will provide training to the lucky ones to be trained
in this Swim for Life pilot project.
Parents
and their children are expected to be on the ground at 3:30 for formal
registration and the official opening ceremony.
Below
is the schedule providing the training days and time;
Week
Days Time
Week
1 Fri: 19th, Sat: 20th, Sun: 21st Fri: 4-6pm, Sat & Sun: 11-1pm
Week
2 Fri: 26th, Sat: 27th, Sun: 28th Fri: 4-6pm, Sat & Sun: 11-1pm
Week
3 Fri: 2nd, Sat: 3rd, Sun: 4th Fri:
4-6pm, Sat & Sun: 11-1pm
