European Aquatics actively participated in and supported the recent World Aquatics Discover Water Country Leads Training for the European continent, held in Bergen, Norway from 21 to 26 September 2026. The intensive six-day program brought together 13 course participants representing National Federations from across Europe to establish a standardized, physical-literacy-based approach to drowning prevention and grassroots aquatic education.
The course was delivered by Lead Trainer Viv Holt (Youth Sport Trust International) and Co-Trainer Rókur í Jákupsstovu (European Aquatics Bureau Member). The course was further supported by William Salvi, representing World Aquatics, and Aldo Costa, representing the European Aquatics Water Safety Sub-Commission. Their presence highlighted the close cooperation between World Aquatics and European Aquatics in prioritizing water safety across European member federations.
A World Aquatics Initiative for Global Drowning Prevention
Developed by World Aquatics, the Discover Water program moves beyond traditional stroke instruction to address the whole child across four core domains of physical literacy: physical movement, psychological confidence, social connection, and cognitive water safety awareness. During the week, the 13 European participants evaluated their national learn-to-swim curricula using World Aquatics logic models, safeguarding principles, and adaptive teaching frameworks like STEP (Space, Task, Equipment, People).
Practical Pool Sessions & Open Water Safety
- A centerpiece of the World Aquatics training was its focus on practical, real-world application:
- Pool Delivery: Participants led live teaching sessions with local children at Bergen’s Alexander Dale Oen Arena.
Open Water Training: Working in collaboration with Lifesaving Norway, participants and leadership took to the open water to conduct real-time aquatic risk assessments, emergency response scenarios, and open-water safety drills.
Empowering European Federations
As certified World Aquatics Country Leads, the 13 European participants will now return to their home nations to roll out the Discover Water framework, training local coaches, club educators, and primary school PE teachers through a sustainable cascade model.
“European Aquatics is proud to support World Aquatics in rolling out this vital initiative across our continent. Equipping these 13 national leads from across Europe with cutting-edge pedagogical tools and open-water assessment skills is a major step forward in promoting water safety and reducing drowning risks in European waters.”
— Rókur í Jákupsstovu, European Aquatics Bureau Member & Course Co-Tutor
Positive Steps Toward Aligning World Aquatics & European Aquatics Learn-to-Swim Frameworks
Towards the conclusion of the six-day course, a dedicated strategic meeting was held between Aldo Costa (European Aquatics Water Safety Sub-Commission), William Salvi (World Aquatics), and Rókur í Jákupsstovu (European Aquatics Bureau Member) to explore the potential alignment of World Aquatics and European Aquatics learn-to-swim programs. The discussion concluded on a highly positive note, with all three representatives agreeing that harmonization between the two governing bodies’ learn-to-swim initiatives is both feasible and desirable. The proposal will now be formally progressed and further discussed within the leadership bodies and relevant commissions of both World Aquatics and European Aquatics.
