Bluewave Swimming Academy – enhancing youngsters in all aspects
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A practice session conducted by Coach Jeewaka Perera in progress at the Thurstan Pool
Bluewave Swimming Academy received a few prominent achievements and placings at the recently held Vidudaya-Ritzbury Swimming Meet meet held on May 26 and 27 at the Sri Jayawardenepura University Swimming Pool Complex. This meet was held for the third consecutive year, with over 1,000 swimmers from around 300 schools and clubs attending.
“More attention must be given by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union to organising more club-based swimming meets, as it would further help in strengthening the young swimmers,” stated the Head Coach of Bluewave Swimming Academy, Jeewaka Perera, speaking to Education Times, as he expressed his opinions and views on the swimming clubs on the island.
Key achievements such as Junior Girls Overall champions, Junior Boys runners-up and Girls Overall second runners-up positions were claimed in the team events by the young swimmers. On the other hand Chanuga Osara emerged the individual champion of the Under-12 Boys’ category while Jithya Mettananda claimed the Under-12 Girls individual title. Through these key achievements, Bluewave Academy became known to the public.
Coach Jeewaka Perera
Bluewave Academy, located at the Thurstan College Swimming Complex, conducts its training during the evening hours of the day. Training sessions are conducted by a three-member qualified coaching staff led by Level III qualified coach Jeewaka Perera, assisted by coaches Thisen and Siva, who aim to share all their knowledge with the young swimmers.
Also, the required fitness and nutrition for swimmers are provided by Island Spin Fit’ fitness academy led by Hasitha Perera. Further, the main target of this club is to prepare the swimmers to represent their respective schools at national and international levels, and the club has around 100 swimmers training with them, starting from the Under-8 age category and upwards.
Head coach, Perera, a qualified Level III coach, currently serves as the Associate Head Coach at St. Peter’s College, Colombo. Perera shares his knowledge and experience with the swimmers to expand their careers to the fullest.
“I am very thankful to the Thurstan College management for allowing us to use the pool to conduct our swimming academy,” he added.
Bluewave Swimming Academy harnesses young and aspiring swimmers
He expressed his joy over the recent achievements of their swimmers in the Ritzbury-Vidudaya Swimming Meet and mentioned that they will be looking forward to continue the winning momentum at future events. He also thanked the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union for frequently organising programmes together with the World Aquatic Association, FINA, for the swimming coaches to enhance their knowledge in this particular field and added that they need to focus more on organising club-based swimming meets.
“Our club has a bright future ahead of us, as there are a notable number of extraordinary young swimmers,” the coach stated.
Also, he has a plan to expand the facilities provided to the swimmers by adding new equipment and training in order to enhance their swimming capabilities.
“Swimmers must be strengthened not only physically but also in mental and psychological aspects too,” he explained, praising all parties, including parents and officials, for assisting them to achieve places in the Ritzbury-Vidudaya Meet.