European Aquatics staged a dedicated Artistic Swimming Coaches Clinic at the European Aquatics Championships Paris 2026, giving athletes the chance to talk directly to coaches about apnea, the breath-hold work that underpins much of what happens in the pool.

The session, “Athlete’s Voice Regarding Apnea,” ran on 30 July at the H4 Hotel from 20:30 to 22:00 CEST. It was led by Emma Garcia, vice-chair of the European Aquatics Athletes Committee and a world and European medallist in artistic swimming, who talked coaches through what breath-holding actually involves from the athlete’s side, such as the physical demands, the difficulties, and the habits that keep it safe.

Breath control is central to artistic swimming, with routines requiring swimmers to hold their breath through demanding physical work, and the session was built around getting coaches to hear that directly from the athletes, with a goal of helping each party understand everyone’s concerns and to create a more open environment where these challenges can be discussed.

Garcia said the clinic drew a good crowd and a positive response. “There were many people attending, including coaches of course,” she told European Aquatics. “They participated very positively and I received good feedback from those who attended. They thought it was a good thing to know about, and it had reminded them and enabled them to keep it in mind.”

The clinic is one of a number European Aquatics has run alongside the Championships this year, aimed at keeping athlete welfare part of the working conversation between athletes and coaches.

Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics