36 join Tsunami Saipan-ARC swim lessons

Thirty-six students completed the five-weekend swim lessons that Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan and the American Red Cross-CNMI Chapter conducted at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi.

The first session started on Feb. 14, while the last four took place on Feb. 21, Feb. 28, March 14, and March 21.

Tsunami Saipan Senior Team members Rezne Wong, Cooper Graf, Shin and Kensuke Kimura, Kai Staal, Marystar Welch, and Sarah Johnson shared their expertise on water safety and the basic strokes in swimming to 36 participants. Other Tsunami swimmers who helped in the swim lessons were Kaisei Toda, Kaitao Yanai, Thea Minor, and Ashley Welch, and coaches Hiro Kimura, Val Welch, and Stan Good.

Tsunami Saipan’s senior swimmers are certified as Red Cross water safety instructors and Red Cross life guards, and they conducted the five Saturday sessions in accordance with the American Red Cross Water Safety Program.

The program is designed to help increase safety wherever water sports are enjoyed. The American Red Cross Water Safety program also teaches easy-to-remember safety tips for pools, spas, water parks, lakes, rivers, and oceans. The course is ideal for parents, youth in grades 4 to 12, youth organizations, and campers, who participate in water-related activities. Nearly two million people learn to swim each year through the program.

Tamiko Winkfield, and Saipan Swim Club coach Michael Villagomez and daughter Keanna teamed up with Tsunami Saipan swimmers and coaches in holding beginners and adults lessons to participants.

“Special thanks go to Mike and his daughter Keanna, and Tami Winkfield for their assistance in conducting the beginners group and adults lessons. They are perennial favorites of the community for teaching swim lessons to the youngest students and adults, alike,” said Good, adding that they had a student as young as five years old.

Good said they will be holding another series of swim lessons this summer with the date and venue to be announced later.

Besides teaching kids and adults the basics of swimming, Tsunami Saipan is conducting swim lessons to bring their swimmers closer to the community, especially to aspiring kid swimmers

The club is also using the swim lessons to raise funds for the purchase of equipment, for sending Tsunami Saipan swimmers to off-island competitions, and for monthly fees at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool.