Director of Sport hails Lifeguard Certification Programme as historic

The recently finished Lifeguard Certification ProgrammeProgramme has been praised by Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle as historic and unparalleled, marking a significant advancement in safety for Guyana’s waterways and sports facilities.
Ninvalle commended the work of all parties engaged in the closing ceremony and diploma distribution event on Thursday.

The Canadian Lifesaving Society certified seven lifeguards, three examiners, 41 Emergency First Aid, 32 Bronze Medallion, and 28 Bronze Cross personnel.
“This is extremely important as we push to make our waterways safer, particularly at facilities under the control of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport,” Ninvalle stated.
He noted that the certification ProgrammeProgramme is intended to be ongoing and credited Minister Charles Ramson Jr for delivering on a promise made during last year’s initiative to expand the country’s lifeguard pool.
Ninvalle also underscored the significant cost savings of participating in such a ProgrammeProgramme locally, compared to what similar certification would cost in other countries.
He encouraged the newly certified individuals to apply their skills and knowledge, noting that their qualifications now make them more competitive and marketable, especially as Guyana’s hotel and tourism industries continue to grow.
The training and certification of seven local instructors was one of Ninvalle’s main achievements, calling it a historic game-changer.
“This is huge for us because it now allows for a sustainable, year-round ProgrammeProgramme, which will complement our ‘Teach Them Young’ Swim ProgrammeProgramme. Beyond that, we’re already exploring ways to expand this initiative outside of our annual engagement with the Canadian Lifesaving Society,” he added.
The certification sessions were led by Sarah Newton and Tamara Wood of the Canadian Lifesaving Society, with special recognition given to NSC Swim Coach Paul Mahaica for spearheading the Lifeguard Certification ProgrammeProgrammeme.
“This is just the beginning,” Ninvalle concluded, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to building a safer aquatic environment through continuous training, partnerships, and capacity building.