November 2017 - Parks & Recreation - 59

Programming
In the past 18 months, a new Master's
Swim program for adults of all skill
levels, a multitiered youth swim lesson
program and a separate youth swim
team open to elementary through high
school students have been offered.
Having a youth swim team in a remote
location is a major community win and
brings interesting opportunities for recreation programmers. Teams around
the world have the ability to race against
others in locally held meets. In contrast,
NSGB has no " off base " teams to swim
against. Because limited flight availability and restrictions on travel make it difficult to fly off-base or to fly a team onbase to compete with, NSGB addresses
this challenge by participating in virtual
swim meets with other military bases
around the world.
Competing installations hold home
meets and time trials on the same weekend, times are shared between teams
and a virtual " winner " is decided. As a
way of saying " thank you, " teams mail
each other swim caps and other souvenirs, providing personnel at both bases
with a unique memory. A virtual swim
meet was recently held against the Army
Garrison Stuttgart, Germany's Stuttgart
Stingrays.

A little fun in the bay with Wibits
during " Day at the Bay " in May.

Navy MWR also brings in various entertainers and plans special community
events. During the base-wide " Day at
the Bay " celebration, the aquatics department participates by helping child
and youth programs run water obstacle
courses. The department hosted a Polynesian-style dance troupe in June with
multiple sold-out dinner performances
over a single weekend. In September,
Abby and Matt Delaney of Key Log
Rolling visited NSGB for a three-day log
rolling instructional skill program. Not
only did staff members receive training
as log rolling instructors, but active duty
military and families also had the opportunity to learn the art of log rolling di-

Photo courtesy of MC1 John Philip Wagner, Jr.

Guantanamo Bay MWR, so having a
certified American Red Cross lifeguard
instructor and water safety instructor
trainer on staff offers flexibility to
accommodate training on a locally
determined schedule without having
to send personnel off the " island. "
Having a NRPA AFO instructor on
staff also allows the opportunity to
ensure that aquatics staff, the installation
public works department and resident
government
contractors
receive
comprehensive instruction on pool
operations, including water chemistry,
mechanical systems and pool operations.

Photo courtesy of MC1 John Philip Wagner, Jr.

NSGB families enjoy a Polynesian
dinner show in June.

rectly from a world-champion log roller.
The highly popular event, coupled with
the training received, is enabling NSBG
MWR to begin its own log rolling program for youth and command physical
training programs for active duty and reservist military personnel.
September also saw the launch of the
newest MWR endeavor - a water polo
clinic. The program offers a unique sport
to residents and families, and plans to
start a youth water polo league are in
development. Another new program features " canoe battleships, " where teams
attempt to (safely) sink their opponents
by unloading buckets of water into opposing canoes. Water volleyball leagues,
full-court water basketball tournaments,
monthly dive-in movies, teen night pool
parties and AquaFit, a weekly aerobic exercise class, round out the other monthly
and quarterly aquatics programs.
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is a
unique place for running a swimming
program. A bit of outside-the-box thinking and exploring available resources
provide multiple fun, relaxing and engaging programs for military personnel,
civilians and their families.
Jennifer Bardoni is the Aquatics Director for the
Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department
at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay
(jennifer.p.bardoni.naf@mail.mil).

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November 2017 - Parks & Recreation

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