the Coumarou Club Maroni trains the swimmers of tomorrow

The Coumarou Club Maroni started the year by boosting the sporting life of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. In the space of a week, the club offered its members two activities rich in learning: an introduction to water polo on Saturday January 11, followed by water rescue training this Saturday January 18.

These two days show that our club is not limited to teaching swimming. We seek to open new perspectives and inspire young people

explains Jean-Gilles Christève, president of the club. With 374 members this year, the Coumarou Club Maroni has established itself as a key player in aquatic life in western Guyana.

During the introduction to water polo, led by Maël, supervisor in training, the young people discovered a discipline combining skill, endurance and team spirit.

Water polo is a sport that promotes social bonding between young people while developing their physical skills

explains Maël.

Yaël, 11 years old, was enthusiastic after this discovery:

It was my first time, and I loved it. At the pool, I can try new things that I've never done before.

This success could pave the way for the creation of a water polo section at the club next year, according to the club president. An initiative that would strengthen sports offerings in Western Guyana.

A week later, young members were invited to participate in an introductory day in water rescue, supervised by Rudmildo, also training at BPJEPS. On the program: learning basic actions to intervene in the event of drowning, handling rescue equipment and awareness of safety in an aquatic environment.

They discover that responding to an emergency requires technique, endurance and composure

Rudmildo explains. Félicia, 13 years old, shares a mature observation:

In Saint-Laurent, there are a lot of drownings. Learning the basics can really help save someone.

This learning has also inspired vocations in certain young people, as Yaël expressed. According to Rudmildo:

The children participate very seriously, even if they discover that it is not that simple.

These initiatives are part of a broader project led by the Coumarou Club Maroni. Jean-Gilles Christève underlines: “We want to train more lifeguards and offer innovative activities, such as baby swimmers or a water polo section.”

The club does not just supervise children and adolescents. It also aims to strengthen the aquatic skills of the community. “Knowing how to swim is a vital skill, especially in a region like ours,” reminds the president.

At the same time, the club relies on the talent of its young managers. Maël and Rudmildo, in the middle of their training at BPJEPS, were able to transmit their passion to the participants. Finally, as Félicia confided: “Saving a life requires moving quickly and using what we learn here well.”