“Ian Armiger, coach to Olympic swimmers and now Cayman Swimming’s Technical Director sees nothing but potential and Fast Swimming for Cayman…”

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, 18 December 2012: Maples and Calder, title sponsor of the Cayman National Development Programme for swimming, presented CIASA with funds which, along with a grant from the Cayman Islands Government, have allowed Cayman Swimming to attract Coach Ian Armiger to the Cayman Islands from British Swimming.

The Technical Director of Swimming is a new post for CIASA, one which Coach Ian has admirably filled since 1 September 2012. In three “short” months Coach Ian’s leadership, enthusiasm and boundless energy has been felt by everyone involved in Cayman Swimming.

“Being  part  of the  team  that  brought  someone  of Coach  Ian  Armiger’s  calibre  to  Cayman Swimming is rewarding on multiple levels,” said Paul Lumsden, Managing Partner of Maples and Calder’s Cayman office,. “Maples and Calder strongly believes in the ability of sports to develop focus, commitment and discipline in our youth. Coach Ian has expertise and proven results, and we look forward to seeing Cayman Swimming grow from strength to strength in all disciplines in the coming years.”

Having had initial meetings with the Department of Sports, Public and Private PE Teachers, Swim Instructors and Competitive Club Coaches, Coach Ian has evaluated the “state of swimming in Cayman” and is now working with all stakeholders to develop appropriate instructional, developmental and competitive programmes for their needs.

“Open Water Swimming and Competitive Swimming is what you see in the news,” said Coach Ian; “and while these areas will continue to be developed I will also be working to build a strong foundation  of swimming throughout  our schools which focuses on water  safety, community, schools swimming, awards programmes and learn to swim standards. It is exciting to see success at the Olympics like we just experienced in London with Shaune and Brett Fraser, but by also focusing on building a foundation of swimming at the earlier ages we have the opportunity to be part of healthy lifestyles, to save lives and to see more and more fast swimming coming out of the Cayman Islands in the future.”

As a sport and life skill, swimming  has many applications. In addition to being a great form of exercise for all ages, it can also save a life and be the path to continuing education. It just makes good sense  for everyone  in the  Cayman  Islands  to  know how  to  swim, as the  islands  are surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. With Coach Ian’s help, the possibility of teaching all youth to swim can become a reality.

“On behalf of Cayman Swimming, and particularly the hundreds of swimmers who participate in Open Water Sea Swims, Competitive Age Group Sea Swims, Triathlons and Learn to Swim Programmes, we wish to extend our thanks to the Cayman Islands Government and to Maples and Calder  for their  support  and  belief  in swimming  as a foundation  sport  in the  Cayman Islands,” concluded CIASA President Peter Mackay.