Water safety takes priority at Lifeguard Certification course

Water safety has been placed at the forefront with the hosting of a Lifeguard Certification course at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

The one-week course, with has attracted 40 participants, is being coordinated by the Ministry of the Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, in association with the Canadian Lifesaving Society.

Delivering feature remarks to officially open the programme on Thursday morning, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle said Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. had promised the swimming fraternity such a course, placing water safety on the front burner.

Ninvalle said it is very heartening to see the seminar grow from 15 participants in the inaugural staging in 2024 to as many as 40 this year.

The Sport Director also lauded swimming coach Paul Mahaica for playing a pivotal role in getting the certification course off the ground, working with the Ministry and Sports Commission to ensure qualified personnel come to these shores to share their knowledge and expertise with the locals.

Ninvalle added that the certification will help persons to become marketable in a rapidly changing Guyana.

The course is being conducted by Tamara Wood and Sarah Newton, examiners and instructors attached to the Canadian Lifesaving Society.

As part of the course, eight local persons will be trained as Lifesaving Trainers, who would be equipped with the knowledge to upskill other persons in the different aspects of lifeguard training.