Although Anguilla is small, it truly is a microcosm of the world and provides people with a unique opportunity to study the human condition. An island is land surrounded on all four sides by water by definition, and as small as Anguilla is, it is intriguing that many Anguillians not only cannot swim but are frightened of the sea. For some people, swimming and the sea is a way of life such as those who populate the areas of Island Harbour and Sandy Ground.

Linda Gratton

In speaking with Linda Gratton this past Saturday, she reminded me that swimming is not just for personal enjoyment but is indeed a life skill. This is true around the world but even more so in Anguilla as any trip to any other part of the world requires a journey either by or over the sea. The purpose therefore of this article is to encourage all children to learn to swim and if one is not too sure where to begin, I suggest starting with Linda Gratton’s swimming programme conducted at Teacher Art Egle’s house in South Hill.
After receiving money from a friend of a fisherman who went missing years ago, the Anguilla Community Foundation contacted Linda and asked her to begin swimming classes for the youth. She started by screening all the students at the Alwyn Allsion Primary School last year and discovered that half of them could not swim. Out of those who could not, 98% enrolled in her programme that has taught over 1,000 people to swim in the last 13 years. After reaching many more students from most of the primary schools, she also began teaching some of the older children as well as adults who had acquired a phobia of the water over the years. Linda strongly feels that swimming is a necessary skill that all should have. Even if one believes he or she is quite skilled, there is much to learn. She mentioned that in the event of one of the ferry’s sinking on the way to St. Martin, with 20 people around trying to swim, even the best swimmers can drown.
Linda’s swimming classes are conducted by an eight week session in which one receives a 45 minute lesson once a week on Saturdays. Classes are open to all that are interested and will be separated by both age and skill level. The main thing she teaches is how to get from point A to point B. Yet other skills include water management, breathing and stroke improvement. She is highly qualified as she has been teaching her entire life. For 16 years she was an instructor at the Point Claire Aquatic Department in Montreal, Canada, which was the first indoor 50 meter pool in all of Canada. For the last 13 years her time has been spent in the pool and ocean teaching others as well. In the past, she has also been a vital part of the famed Camp Be Aware held every summer. Intense swimming classes are conducted from 9 am-3 pm during the environmental programme.
Linda truly enjoys her role as a teacher and is especially excited about teaching those who have a genuine fear of the water. The entire eight week session costs USD $70 and is open to everyone. She is quite thankful to Art Egle who graciously permits her to use his swimming pool. Linda also wants the public to know that she is actively seeking people interested in becoming junior guards or swim instructors to assist her with the programme.
Persons interested may contact her by e-mail at linda_viz@hotmail.comor by phone at 497-3302. I encourage all those who feel that they are not on par with their swimming skills to contact Linda. I also commend her efforts and commitment to the Anguillian community over the last 13 years.

-Jason Allen

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