Posted on Thursday 11th of September, 2014
Written by Isha Afeef
Even before the students have come onto the jetty, their eager voices are asking for Nate, for Jamie, for Patti, for all the instructors and familiar faces from the previous Swim Camp. The nervous anticipation in the air and the excitement to be going back in the water again is almost palpable. Yet it’s disheartening to know that no swimming space had been available for the kids during their two month break. Now they were back to learn swimming again, and we were welcoming with our clear turquoise seas and other indulgences.
This time, local hosts who’d previously assisted our swim instructors take the lead role and guide the students to the beach for swimming. Almost effortlessly, we fall back into the routine honed during the two weeks of intense Swim training. The kids, who had first come to us nervous and scared, were now more than comfortable in the water, splashing around and shrieking, the picture of delight. Even with the fun, we still managed to conduct our sessions properly. The new instructors who have joined the swim team quickly learn the drill as well, and we’re off again.
After the two months of ocean deprivation, some of the kids are back to struggling with their floating, but no matter - the patient instructors gradually help them to ‘vaagi dhookollaa’, to let go of their inhibitions and just float. Keeping to our pledge with the school, as a pilot for the refresher courses we held just two classes this month - one for each class. It’s enough to pick out areas where we need to improve and focus on getting them the proper training. All I know is, the bond we have between the kids and the instructors at Soneva Fushi is such that we’re going to keep trying till they get it right. We hope that by the time we’re done they would have a decent swimming area to frolic in and put what they’ve learnt to good use in becoming ocean stewards and protecting our future.
Jonathon Porrit is the Chair of the SLOW LIFE Symposium. He is Founder Director of Forum for the Future. This article first appeared on Jonathon's own blog. One of the very first big pieces of research that Forum for the…... more
Written by Isha Afeef Even before the students have come onto the jetty, their eager voices are asking for Nate, for Jamie, for Patti, for all…... more
Woman collecting firewood. Credit: Adam Oswell The SLOW LIFE Foundation was runner-up at the 2degrees Champions Awards 2014 category Social Value. It was recognised for the Myanmar…... more
