National Sports Council’s initiative a major splash

Close to 300 people have registered for the National Swim Programme. Director of the National Sports Council Neil Murray said he was pleased with the overwhelming response, noting that it was amazing that the council unfortunately had to turn away some interested people.

He said this programme augured well for the elderly as it was a good way for them to get active and reduce the level of fear some may have of the sea. He said the programme started in late 2019 with only about 25 people. The programme is a three-month one and it is being held at Browne’s Beach, St Michael in conjunction with the National Conservation Commission.

Just over 280 people have signed up.

Lifeguard supervisor and swim instructor Rawle Eversley said it was important to have a programme such as this because there were many Barbadians who could not swim.

He added that swimming utilised every limb and muscle and as many elderly people suffered with non-communicable diseases, this was a way for them to engage in a fun activity to keep fit. Ninety-year-old Anita Daniel said she liked to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Daniel, who has high blood pressure, said she also walked on mornings and enjoyed gardening.

Seventy-year-old Joan Watson said her doctor encouraged her to go swimming and she took advantage of the free programme when she saw it advertised. She said the exercise was good as it helped reduce the aches and pains she usually felt about her body. Emil Rock, 83, said he wanted to learn to swim as his children and grandchildren knew how to. He said he wanted to be able to handle himself in deep waters. (SZB)