Stop drownings in EU-Educate & save a child's life

Between April and June 2026, Safe Water Sports continued to strengthen its mission of promoting water safety, drowning prevention, and public awareness through a series of high-impact initiatives and strategic partnerships with public institutions, health authorities, and civil society organizations.

On April 17, Safe Water Sports, in collaboration with the Hellenic Swimming Federation and with the support of OAKA, organized a special event on swimming education for children and young people. The event highlighted swimming as an essential life skill that contributes to the safety, health, and overall development of younger generations.

On May 11, marking the National Day for the Prevention of Marine Accidents and Drownings, the organization partnered with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy to host a dedicated event focused on aquatic safety and drowning prevention. The initiative brought together senior government officials, representatives of the Hellenic Coast Guard, local authorities, and key stakeholders, reinforcing the importance of coordinated action to reduce water-related accidents.

On May 27, Safe Water Sports launched the 1st Ocean Lab Forum in collaboration with CSR Hellas. The forum served as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among public, private, and non-profit sector representatives, addressing critical issues such as drowning prevention, aquatic safety, and the reduction of sea-related accidents.

On June 2, Safe Water Sports joined forces with the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Organization (EODY) to present a nationwide awareness campaign on drowning prevention, with a special focus on citizens over the age of 60 ahead of the summer season. The campaign emphasized that drowning prevention is a public health issue and aimed to inform, educate, and encourage safer behavior in aquatic environments.

Through these initiatives, Safe Water Sports further consolidated its role as a leading organization in Greece for drowning prevention and water safety awareness, fostering collaboration among key stakeholders and promoting a culture of safety in and around water.

Links:

• Safe Water Sports website

Safe Water Sports, the organization dedicated to promoting safety in the aquatic environment, is excited to announce the upcoming launch of its Ocean Lab — a dedicated space where students can visit free of charge, made possible through the generous support of foundations and private companies.

The new facility is designed to host 50–60 children per day, offering engaging, hands-on education and practical information about safety in and around water. In preparation for its opening, the organization is undertaking a full reconstruction of the building to make it more attractive, welcoming, and inspiring for children, encouraging them to return and build on what they learn.

A few months ago, Safe Water Sports also successfully organized its annual online seminar for the Safe Swimming Program, which brought together swimming coaches from across Greece. The seminar benefited from the expertise of Mr. Argyris Toubekis, Professor of Swimming Didactics & Coaching at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens — School of Physical Education & Sport Science, and Mrs. Angeliki Karapataki, Olympic medalist in Water Polo. Their contributions significantly enriched the discussion on water safety and swimming education, reinforcing our shared commitment to ensuring a safe aquatic environment for children everywhere.

In addition, Safe Water Sports will be travelling to Cyprus next month to provide specialized training for primary school instructors on the organization’s educational program. During this visit, the team will also distribute the educational safety bag to schools across all regions, further expanding awareness and empowering young learners with vital safety knowledge.

In the coming months, the organization will also release the official report of the Observatory of Accidents, developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Shipping and the Hellenic Police. This report aims to demonstrate the real impact of prevention efforts on reducing drownings across Greece.

Looking ahead, our ultimate goal is to organize, in partnership with various ministries in Greece and in Mediterranean countries, a Forum on Water Safety next year. This event will provide a valuable platform for promoting best practices, exchanging ideas, and strengthening collaborative efforts to protect lives in aquatic environments throughout the region.

Links:

• Safe Water Sports website