WHAT'S ON

We will soon say goodbye to summer and see the kids going back to school in a few weeks, and there are specials dedicated to going back to school, as well as a few suggestions to take adults back to school or to learn something new and exciting.

Exotic Antigua is hosting a Back to School Special from Wednesday 21^st to Saturday 31^st August, giving you 20% - 50% off items in their store, including beautiful linen clothing for men and women.

Swalings offers their Afterschool Homework Club each weekday from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm for kids aged 4 – 12 years, to keep them busy, stimulated and give them help with their homework while you are at work. They also have their Day Care Centre available for toddlers of 3 months through to 4 years, each weekday from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. Don’t forget about their football classes for kids and swimming lessons for children and adults of all abilities.

Both kids and adults can learn to horseback ride at the Antigua Equestrian Centre in Falmouth Harbour, with lessons in the arena, or trails through the country side or to a secluded beach for a new experience.

If you are considering starting a new career, improving your skills or learning a new trade for some extra cash, there are a variety of courses in differing fields available now in Antigua.

At the Antigua Institute of Massage & Esthetics, through Touch Therapies Antigua, you can learn Holistic Massage, Counseling and Spa Concierge skills, as well as Yoga Teaching, all running over 2 – 6 months. Check out more details on the courses here.

Take on an evening course like the Certified Hospitality Professional Programme with ABHTI, gaining new skills to give yourself a competitive edge in the industry, earn higher wages, promotions and job satisfaction. Look out for short courses they offer as well, like Baking, Cooking and Bartending, or take on an Associate’s Degree in Resort Management, also offered through evening classes. Check out their full course offering and contact them with any inquiries and make steps toward improving your skills. Stay tuned to their facebook page for course updates as well.

Change your career path or up your skills through training in paradise through certified RYA Maritime training, giving you the essential abilities to work on yachts and boats, or to simply learn first aid training, sea survival and more. Ondeck Antigua Sea School has a vast selection of RYA certified courses to prepare you for a job on the water, or to just teach you how to sail for fun.

You can also get RYA certified training with Miramar Sailing School in a wide variety of courses, who are currently running a special on said courses, giving more than 20% discounts on training rates until the end of September, including on courses like Competent Crew and Coastal Skipper. Take on their 5 day ‘Learn to sail for fun’ course and gains skills in personal safety, seamanship and helmsmanship.

Both kids and adults can learn to sail smaller boats like Optimists, Lasers, Zoom 8’s and more at the Antigua Yacht Club with qualified RYA Trainer and Olympic sailor Karl James for US$ 20 per hour on request.

Kids aged 8 - 18 can also get involved with the National Sailing Academy to learn the basics of sailing, train and continue on to compete in races. They offer free sailing lessons to those who can swim, and swimming courses to those who would like to sail but are not yet competent or confident on the water. They are seeing alot of their teenaged students studying to gain professional qulifications in the yachting industry so it may just open doors for your children to get into the fast-growing and vibrant field too.

Photo: Hawksbill Turtle by Indigo Divers

Keeping on the water, learn to Scuba Dive in just one day with Indigo Divers and discover the wonder of Antigua’s coastline and marine life beyond simply snorkeling. Explore the depths and swim alongside our underwater residents like turtles, dolphins, rays and more.

You can also get involved in non-profit groups and societies like the Antigua Barbuda Horticultural Society to get your green thumb going, or the Environmental Awareness Group, where you can learn about our precious environment through field trips on and off the water, workshops and seminars.

For some self-learning, why not stop by Best of Books and pick up books on various skills to improve at your own pace? They offer lots of books in various genres for entertainment, skill building, languages and much more.