Thursday, March 28, 2024

Smaller pools a must

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A call has been made for the strategic establishment of smaller swimming pools throughout Barbados to push the sport of swimming to its full potential.
That call has come from president of the Barbados Amateur Swimming Association Andrew Kirby on the evening that his association acknowledged and rewarded the top performers in 2013 at the annual awards ceremony held at Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados on Sunday evening.
“The National Aquatic Centre has been able to handle the increase in clubs and the rising number of learn to swim individuals.  However, the schools learn to swim programmes are conducted during school hours and the logic to deal with the travel and cost calls for the setting up of a number of small pools throughout the island,” said Kirby.
The president indicated that the learn to swim has been producing a number of potential stars in swimming but the natural attrition where some of the swimmers drop out creates a need for a bridge between learn to swim and competitive swimming.
“Thankfully, we have very strong and competitive swimmers in the 11-12 and 15-17 age groups but the numbers are very small. This year we expect the traditional strong performances from those swimmers who will be taking part in Carifta during Easter as well as at the Commonwealth Games,” added Kirby.
Two such swimmers that will be hoping to fly the Barbados flag proudly will be Damon St Prix and Hannah Gill who starred during the presentation of awards. St. Prix claimed the Leah Martindale Most Valuable Swimmer Trophy while Gill took the Victor Norville trophy for the most outstanding swim for Barbados.
The United States based Christian Selby had left his mark which earned him repeated honours in his absence. Selby and Gill were the respective Most Outstanding Senior Male and Female swimmers while the winning juniors were Danielle Titus and Luis Sebastian Weekes.
Nkosi Dunwoody not only dominated the 9-10s but he broke a whopping 13 records at various meets in both long and short courses.  St. Prix broke 12 records in his group but no one could touch Weekes who smashed a whopping 24 records while Titus was just as impressive in setting 20 age group record.
Other awards were shared out to Kimberley Willoughby for being the Most Motivated Swimmer while the Best All Round Performance was given by Gabriel Mayers with Britain Ellis being votted the Most Improved Junior.
Kathleen Beckles was chosen as the Volunteer of the Year with coach of the year being Cuban Antonio Petrolanda and Powerade selected as the Sponsor of the Year.

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