55 complete Tsunami Saipan-ARC lessons

Fifty-five received certification from Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan and American Red Cross, NMI Chapter after completing the five weekend swim lessons at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.

The five sessions of the swim lessons concluded Saturday and focused on the basics of swimming and safety on the water. Tsunami Saipan had 17 coaches and three assistants attending to participants.

Out to share their expertise on the pool were Bobby and Tami Winkfield, Stan Good, Mike Villagomez, Rezne Wong, Shin, Hiro, and Kensuke Kimura, Cooper Graf, Kai Staal, Val Welch, Amanda Johnson, Karen Buettner, Marystar Welch, Annie Camacho, Mina Minami, and Thea Minor. The assistant coaches were Kiana Villagomez, and Ashley and Salofi Welch.

Eight water safety instructors and four lifesaver-certified swimmers from American Red Cross joined Tsunami Saipan in providing valuable lessons to participants.

Tsunami Saipan coach Hiro Kimura said they saw several participants who have potentials to join competitive swimming.

“Some parents told us their kids are interested in joining Tsunami Saipan and learning competitive swimming. We welcome these new swimmers and we will see if they will continue to improve and become part of the our team,” Hiro said.

Good, president of Tsunami Saipan, thanked Fiesta Resort for allowing them and the American Red Cross to use its pool for free.

“We would like to give a special thanks to the management and staff of the Fiesta Resort. Without their support, none of the American Red Cross lessons would be possible,” Good said.

“They have generously allowed us to use their hotel pool, which is centrally located in Garapan. This location enables many participants to join the lessons. In addition, they have not charged us or the Red Cross for the use of the pool. This added bonus allows the team to make some needed money for our operations and provide payment to Red Cross for the use of their materials,” he added.

Good said Tsunami Saipan will use the big portion of the funds raised from the registration fee for purchase of equipment, off-island competitions, and monthly fees at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi.

The Tsunami Saipan president said they will be conducting another swim lesson before the year ends, as they aim to bring their swimmers closer to the community, especially to aspiring kid swimmers

“Tsunami Saipan-Red Cross lessons made our swimmers interact with the public and helped them become normal persons. Rezne Wong is known as one of the best swimmers on Saipan, but when he teaches a group of kids they see him as a normal person interested in helping them,” Good said.