St Lucian swimmers recognized at Lightning Aquatics annual awards!

With COVID-19 playing havoc with sporting events and functions, it was truly a case of better late than never, when the Lightning Aquatics (LA) Swim Club recently staged their 2019 awards at the Gros Islet Resource Centre.

The big winners on the night were Naima Hazell (Female Swimmer of the Year), Karic Charles (Senior Male Swimmer of the Year), Arron Charles (Junior Male Swimmer of the Year) and Amara Reece (Junior Female Swimmer of the Year). In addition to being named Swimmer of the Year, Hazell also received the Girls 13 and over High Points Award, Coaches Award, Swimmers Choice Award, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle awards.

Charles was a multi award recipient for being the Most Consistent Swimmer, Boys 11-12 High Points and was a butterfly and backstroke awardee. The top junior athletes Reece and Charles were also multi award recipients. Reece received the award for High Points, backstroke and freestyle and was named Most Improved. Charles received awards for High Points, Butterfly and Breaststroke and was also named Most Improved Swimmer.

Among the special guests was President of the St Lucia Aquatics Federation, Eddie Hazell. During his speech Hazell glorified the LA Swim Club. He said: “I must say behind every successful sporting organization lies a proper functioning club. Out of that structure there will always be one club that stands out in more ways than one. LA Swim Club definitely stands out as a club that exemplifies a club that far exceeds the expectation of what a sporting club is supposed to be. Your support structure is strong through the commitment of your executive, your parents and the dedication of your swimmers.”

On the national scene, Hazell spoke about representation by our swimmers at various regional and international competitions including the OECS Swimming Championships in St Vincent, Goodwill Games in Guyana, FINA World Championships in South Korea, FINA World Junior Championships in Budapest and representation at another competition in Lima, Peru.

Hazell referred to the pandemic as a bitter reality to swallow and said: “As time goes on we had no choice but to accept the new reality and just. We are today as a federation stronger than ever, we are more committed and energized.”

He acknowledged that over the past few months a lot of swimmers have lost hope, but reassured them that all is not lost especially with the SLAF embarking on a venture which will enhance the sport. On the horizon is a National Aquatic Centre. The SLAF President said: “All the designs and drawings with the approvals are steadily moving forward and the costing and equipment to include installation is already in place. The pool will be supplied and installed by the renowned pool and installer Mytha Pool.” He mentioned that the person assigned to the project is former national Julien Brice who is a Technical Engineer at Mytha.

Having postponed their awards earlier on account of COVID-19, LA Swim Club President, Tessa Charles-Louis showed why this cub continues to defy the odds. She said: “Our awards were previously slated for March of this year and COVID put a dent in our plans like so many other things, but we kept pressing on showing COVID that we are more resilient that it thought.”

The success of the LA Swim Club is not only based on victories and medals, it is much more than that. Charles-Louis proudly told the gathering what the goals and aspirations of the club. “The club was formed in 2011 to primarily provide recreational and competitive swimming to St Lucians,” said Charles-Louis.

“The club has operated and continues to operate on two general policies – inclusiveness and broad exposure in order to improve competitive standards. Therefore our membership continues to comprise and incorporate swimmers of all ages and from all socioeconomic backgrounds and communities in St Lucia. We pride ourselves on a being a family oriented organization and focusing on the holistic development of our swimmers, to ensure they are well rounded and that they will be able to contribute positively to society and thus make our society a much better one.”

Guest Speaker Dr Stephen King needed no introduction but got one anyway. The MC read a long list of his qualifications and credentials: Former Chief Medical Officer and Pathologist, Recipient of OBE for this contribution to Medicine, Co-founder and Current Director of Rise St Lucia Incorporated, Independent Senator from 2012-2016, recipient of the St Lucia Cross for his contribution to society and the list goes on and on.

On this night though King took the role of a pastor, relying on various quotes from the bible to get his point across to the young swimmers. He referred to the Gospel of Luke when speaking about faith in one’s self.
When mentioning how to be great, King said “First is the truth, second is forgiveness, third is reconciliation and the fourth is redemption.” He briefly touched on all four of the previously mentioned and how it would apply to being a well-rounded individual.

In closing he told the club: “I wish you all the best. Sounds like you’re a great club. You are doing a lot more than just swimming and I want you to take it to the next level. We are the greatest country on earth make no mistake because we are here and you are here. If you do what I ask you to do today we are great. I can just sit back and watch you and feel great. My heart bursts with pride as a St Lucian watching you fly. Thank You!”