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Wild cheering and determined swimmers- that is what the 9th annual Fiona Stevenson swimming competition was all about. And as it is with every competition there were a few disappointed fans. But true spirit of the race was in making those final few strokes towards the finish line.

Andre Godoy - Swimming instructor
"Todays the 2016 Swim Meet for the learn to swim program, Fiona Stevenson learn to swim program. Its just a competition whereby we have 10 primary schools that take part in the swimming and we the best 4 swimmers, 2 females and 2 males and they will show their skills, what they learned at the swim program."

Emanuel Pech
"What's the feeling here as kids get ready to jump in the pool?"

Darlene Gentle - YWCA
"They are so excited. A lot of them like I said, they didn't know how to swim. Some knew to a certain extent and they have learned to develop the techniques and the better the technique the more able they are to help other people to save their lives or help them to swim as well and a lot of them are really excited, waiting to compete against each other and win medals and trophies for their schools."

Five schools participated in this year's tournament. And while the competition was intense, only a few could come out on top. 13 year old Tevin Smith won two gold medals and assisted his school to being named the overall champs.

Emanuel Pech
"So do you think kids your age can learn how to swim very easy?"

Tevin Smith - Queen Street Baptist
"Yes sir."

Emanuel Pech
"Talk to me about how you learned how to swim."

Tevin Smith - Queen Street Baptist
"I learned to swim one day in the evening when we went to Caye Caulker then my father took me in the water and told me to swim then I tried after I tried to do it by myself and I did it."

Emanuel Pech
"Would you encourage other kids to learn how to swim?"

Tevin Smith - Queen Street Baptist
"Yes sir."

Emanuel Pech
"Tell me why?"

Tevin Smith - Queen Street Baptist
"Because swimming is a great thing. Maybe you might meet someone drowning and you might reach in time to save their lives."

Tikiyah Orozco also 13, won 2 gold medals in the female category.

Tikiyah Orozco - Buttonwood Bay Primary School
"About last year I came in 2nd place with 2 medals but this year I came in first so totally knew I improved."

Emanuel Pech
"Did you believe that at the beginning you were going to come out on top with 2 gold medals?"

Tikiyah Orozco s- Buttonwood Bay Primary School
"I think so, I believed in myself so I just follow what my confidence thinks about."

Emanuel Pech
"So you were well prepared?"

Tikiyah Orozco - Buttonwood Bay Primary School
"Yes, I was prepared."

Boys from the Gateway Youth Center also participated in this year's competitions. 18 year old Rasheed Young made the best overall time in the mixed category.

Emanuel Pech
"Talk to me about your participation in the competition and what it was like?"

Rasheed Young - Gateway Youth Center
"Nice workout."

Emanuel Pech
"How did you learn how to swim?"

Rasheed Young - Gateway Youth Center
"From I was small my father taught me how to swim."

Emanuel Pech
"And is it easy."

Rasheed Young - Gateway Youth Center
"Not really."

Emanuel Pech
"Is it something that anyone can learn to do?"

Rasheed Young - Gateway Youth Center
"Yes sir."

Emanuel Pech
"So how did you feel that you did in the overall competition?"

Rasheed Young - Gateway Youth Center
"Good"

Emanuel Pech
"Any tips for non-swimmers?"

Matthew Gabriel- Gateway Youth Center
"Well, try come to YWCA to learn a little something."

Emanuel Pech
"And how did you feel that you did in the overall competition?"

Matthew Gabriel - Gateway Youth Center
"I feel good."

Emanuel Pech
"Was it tough competition?"

Matthew Gabriel - Gateway Youth Center
"A little bit sir because I saw 2 little boys that almost beat me so I just start to put more power into it."

Students went home today with a greater sense of appreciation for swimming- a valuable life skill. Reporting for 7 news Emanuel Pech.

Other gold medalists include Charles Reed from Queen Street Baptist, who won the male short distance race and Elisa Perez from Button Wood Bay, who won the female long distance. Awards were also given for the best improved swimmer. That award went to Gianni Saldviar from Central Christian primary school.