By Andrew Coakley

FN Sports Editor

For the first time in the history of bodybuilding in Grand Bahama, a Judges and fitness seminar will be held, during which time top medical and nutrition professionals will conduct a mini lifestyle and weight loss seminar.

The seminar is being hosted by the Grand Bahama Bodybuilding and Fitness Association, in conjunction with the Bahamas Body-building and Fitness Federation.

The seminar is set for April 29 at the Ruby Swiss Restaurant, in the Confer-ence Room, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

"Contrary to what some may believe, the seminar is opened to the general public and not just to bodybuilders or fitness competitors," explained Baldwin Darling, president of the Grand Bahama Bodybuilding and Fitness Association.

"We believe that those who do attend will leave with a vast amount of knowledge and respect for his/her health."

While the seminar is open to the public a small registration fee of $10 will be required from those wishing to attend.

The seminar will feature Dr. Renee V. Lockhart, who will speak on high blood pressure and diabetes; Dr. Kenneth E. Dickie, who will focus on cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery; Dr. Foster Walton, who will speak on Chiropractic and Juledor Corneille, GNC store manager and well known health columnist, who will speak on weight loss and nutrition.

"We wanted to combine fitness and healthy lifestyle in one seminar," said Darling.

"Although the seminar will be approached from a wide range of topics, one of the purposes will be to educate those persons interested in becoming bodybuilding and fitness judges at competitions."

Darling said that the information expected to be divulged at the seminar will benefit athletes in any sport and not just bodybuilding.

He noted that it will also benefit bodybuilders who are unsure of what supplements are allowed to be used by the IFBB.

"Most bodybuilders are uneducated when it comes to what supplements are banned and what supplements are allowed to be taken when competing in a show," added Darling.

"This seminar will shed light on that subject. And this is especially important for those athletes who would like to compete internationally."

Darling said that the seminar was one of the things mandated by the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB). At the same time, the seminar will be used as a fund-raising event.

Officials from the Federation in Nassau are expected to take part in the seminar.

"I would like to see a number of youngsters get involved in this seminar, especially those interested in fitness," said Darling.

"The seminar will also be great for parents with overweight children. The information they may receive from this seminar will go a long way in helping parents use wisdom in dealing with an overweight child."

Baldwin Darling

GBBBFA president