Government’s learn-to-swim programme is back on track with the newly-appointed Coach Chester Hurlston promising to make a big splash.

For Coach Chester sports have always been a big part of his life, prompting him to turn this passion into a profession.

After returning from college in Knoxville, Tennessee (which he attended on an athletic scholarship), with a bachelor’s degree in child psychology, he taught physical education at Grace Christian Academy and coached in government’s after-school sports programme.

Ambitious and energetic, his talents did not go unnoticed and he was drafted for the Cayman Islands Swim School late last year, taking up his position this January.

“Sports have always been my thing plus I love working with kids. This new position allows me to pursue both passions and I couldn’t be happier,” Coach Chester remarked.

Commenting on the new appointment, Minister of Sports the Hon. Mark Scotland said: “The learn-to-swim programme is very important to my ministry as every young child should have the opportunity to learn to swim.  I am very pleased that we are able to revitalize it and extremely pleased that a young Caymanian has been hired to get the programme back on track.”

While the Swim School will continue to focus on improving young swimmers, Coach Chester hopes to also centre his energies on creating a programme for those children who cannot swim at all.

“It would be great if we could teach every child to swim. The Swim School gives everyone access to swim instruction. Growing up, I did not have the privilege of learning to swim in a pool. For most of us, the ocean was our training ground. This is such a great opportunity, I hope parents will take advantage of it,” he noted.

Registration for the after-school swim programme is now open on a first-come, first-served basis with a nominal registration fee is payable. This term will only feature weekday classes which are scheduled to start on Monday, 6 February. For more information call the Department of Sports at 949-7082.
(GIS)