#Article (Archive)

‘Swim for Life Gambia’ Project to be launched today

Aug 19, 2016, 11:40 AM

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