Beyond the Medal: Sharon van Rouwendaal brings the athlete perspective to Swim Safe Europe
Few athletes understand the relationship between performance, resilience and water better than Sharon van Rouwendaal. The Dutch open water legend will bring that perspective to the Swim Safe Europe Conference 2026 during a special ambassador session entitled Beyond the Medal: The Reality of Swimming & Coaching. While Van Rouwendaal’s achievements in the water are well known—including becoming the most decorated open water swimmer in history—her contribution to the conference goes far beyond her medal collection. The session has been designed to explore the human side of elite sport. Participants will have the opportunity to hear how the relationship between athletes and coaches evolves throughout a sporting career, how setbacks can become opportunities for growth, and why creating positive sporting environments is essential both for performance and long-term participation. These themes align closely with the wider objectives of Swim Safe Europe. The conference is built around the principle that aquatic education should not only teach technical skills but also foster confidence, resilience and a lifelong relationship with the water. Van Rouwendaal’s experiences demonstrate how those foundations remain relevant even at the highest level of international competition. Since establishing the SvR Swim Academy, she has become increasingly involved in swimming education and mentoring young athletes, advocating for coaching environments that support both sporting performance and personal development. Her participation therefore connects two worlds that are often considered separately: grassroots education and elite performance. It reinforces one of the conference’s central messages—that every successful athlete begins with learning to swim safely and confidently. The ambassador session is expected to be one of the highlights of the conference programme, offering delegates an opportunity to hear directly from one of swimming’s most respected figures while reflecting on how athlete experiences can inform the future of aquatic education. Registrations are now open through the European Aquatics Academy platform, and interested participants are encouraged to secure their place early. The registration link via the European Aquatics – Official Learning Centre is: https://www.eaacademy.eu/lms/courses/swim-safe-europe-conference-2026 Deadline for entries is July 30. Full details are available on the event’s information bulletin here; https://europeanaquatics.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Info_Bulletin-SSE_Annual_Conference_2026F-1.pdf
Aqua Safe Kids: how European collaboration is strengthening water safety in the Swim Safe Europe Conference 2026
No single country has all the answers when it comes to preventing drowning and improving aquatic education. That is why collaboration remains one of the most valuable tools in advancing water safety across Europe. This spirit of cooperation will be at the heart of the Aqua Safe Kids round-table discussion during the Swim Safe Europe Conference 2026 set for Paris from August 7 to 8 which will be bringing together representatives from National Federations across Malta, Hungary, Austria, Croatia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Georgia. The session will explore how countries with different sporting structures, educational systems and aquatic traditions can learn from one another while working towards the same objective: helping more children develop the skills and confidence needed to stay safe in and around water. Project leaders Karl Izzo and David Bonello will present the initiative alongside Dr Dajana Zoretic from the University of Zagreb, whose scientific expertise helps bridge the gap between research and practical implementation. Rather than presenting a single model, the discussion will examine how international cooperation allows successful ideas to be adapted to different national contexts. Participants will explore how education, coach development, community engagement and evidence-based practice can work together to strengthen water safety initiatives. The session also reflects one of the central ambitions of the Swim Safe Europe programme: creating a network in which Member Federations do not work in isolation but instead share experiences, challenges and solutions. By encouraging dialogue between practitioners, researchers and policymakers, Aqua Safe Kids demonstrates how collective learning can accelerate progress across the continent. As water safety becomes an increasingly important public health priority, the conference will highlight that meaningful change is often achieved not through individual projects, but through long-term partnerships built on trust, collaboration and a shared commitment to protecting future generations. Registrations are now open through the European Aquatics Academy platform, and interested participants are encouraged to secure their place early. The registration link via the European Aquatics – Official Learning Centre is: https://www.eaacademy.eu/lms/courses/swim-safe-europe-conference-2026 Deadline for entries is July 30. Full details are available on the event’s information bulletin here; https://europeanaquatics.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Info_Bulletin-SSE_Annual_Conference_2026F-1.pdf
Meet the experts shaping the future of aquatic education at Swim Safe Europe Conference 2026
When the Swim Safe Europe Conference 2026 opens its doors in Paris this August, it will bring together one of the most diverse groups of experts ever assembled by European Aquatics to discuss water safety, aquatic education and drowning prevention. Held alongside the European Aquatics Championships Paris 2026, the conference has established itself as a meeting point where coaches, researchers, federation leaders, teachers and policymakers come together to exchange ideas that extend well beyond competitive sport. This year’s programme reflects the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of aquatic education. Scientific research, coach education, national policy, athlete development and public health will all feature prominently, reinforcing European Aquatics’ belief that improving water safety requires collaboration across multiple sectors. The conference will begin with a keynote unlike any other. Slovenian actor and reserve military officer Lotos Vincenc Šparovec will recount his powerful real-life survival experience in Aquatic Survival: Man Overboard. More than simply an inspirational story, the session sets the tone for the conference by illustrating how preparation, decision-making and aquatic competence can become life-saving skills. From there, the programme shifts towards the strategic future of aquatic education. Aisling McKeever, Head of Clubs and Education at Swim Ireland, will present the future direction of the Swim Safe Europe strategy, outlining how European Aquatics aims to strengthen Learn to Swim programmes, improve aquatic literacy and support Member Federations in delivering sustainable national initiatives. Scientific expertise will underpin many of the discussions. Professor Boro Štrumbelj, one of Europe’s leading researchers in swimming performance and coaching science, joins Professor Aldo Costa, President of the Portuguese Swimming Coaches Association, to explore how research can support better teaching methodologies, coach education and athlete development. Delegates will also hear from Laurent Ciubini, General Director of the French Swimming Federation, and European Aquatics Bureau Member Rókur í Jákupsstovu, whose experience as both a federation leader and certified coach provides an important bridge between governance and practical implementation. The programme demonstrates how the challenges facing aquatic education today can no longer be solved by one organisation or one country alone. Instead, the conference creates an environment where knowledge flows between researchers, educators, coaches, governing bodies and industry partners. That collaborative approach has become one of the defining characteristics of the Swim Safe Europe initiative. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the conference encourages participants to return home with practical ideas that can strengthen Learn to Swim programmes, improve coach education and ultimately increase water safety throughout Europe. The registration link via the European Aquatics – Official Learning Centre is: https://www.eaacademy.eu/lms/courses/swim-safe-europe-conference-2026 Deadline for entries is July 30. Full details are available on the event’s information bulletin here; https://europeanaquatics.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Info_Bulletin-SSE_Annual_Conference_2026F-1.pdf
Why Paris? Swim Safe Europe Conference 2026 connects aquatic safety and sporting excellence
The Swim Safe Europe Conference 2026 will take place in Paris on August 7-8 alongside the European Aquatics Championships Paris 2026, creating a unique opportunity to connect discussions on aquatic safety with one of the continent’s premier sporting events. By hosting the conference during the Championships, European Aquatics aims to highlight the strong link between participation and performance. Every elite athlete begins their journey by learning how to swim safely and confidently, making aquatic education a fundamental pillar of the sport. Participants attending the conference will have the opportunity to engage with experts from across Europe while experiencing the atmosphere of the European Aquatics Championships, where the continent’s best athletes will compete across multiple disciplines. The Paris setting also reinforces the importance of bringing together stakeholders from different sectors of aquatics. National federations, researchers, coaches, swimming teachers, public authorities and sport administrators will gather in one place to discuss common challenges and identify collaborative solutions. Through this connection between grassroots development and elite competition, the conference aims to demonstrate how investment in water safety, Learn to Swim programmes and aquatic literacy contributes to the long-term health and growth of aquatic sports across Europe. European Aquatics believes that combining the conference with the Championships offers an ideal environment for learning, networking and collaboration while showcasing the full pathway from participation to performance. The registration link via the European Aquatics – Official Learning Centre is: https://www.eaacademy.eu/lms/courses/swim-safe-europe-conference-2026 Deadline for entries is July 30. Full details are available on the event’s information bulletin here; https://europeanaquatics.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Info_Bulletin-SSE_Annual_Conference_2026F-1.pdf
Athletes from Portugal, Turkiye and Bulgaria moving closer to Paris 2026 through EA Artistic Swimming Support Program
Athletes from Portugal (above), Turkiye and Bulgaria are making swift progress within the European Aquatics Artistic Swimming Support Program launched to boost entries at Paris 2026. EA is providing each country with 10,000 euros to prepare teams who will be in action at the Olympic Aquatic Centre Greater Paris Metropolisthis summer and all three have held their training camps which in preparation for the artistic swimming competition which runs in the French capital from July 31 to August 5. This initiative was prompted by the fact that, while many federations had athletes involved in solo or duet competition, the number of countries taking part in the team free, team technical and team acrobatic events was relatively limited. The intention is to encourage the establishment of teams involving athletes who will be able to maintain their involvement, thus creating a new competitive legacy and encouraging new generations of talent to follow them. “When I first saw the announcement of the European Aquatics support programme I applied without hesitation,” said Lacin Kokcay, head coach of the Turkish artistic swimming team. “I truly believed it was an inspiring and highly motivating initiative for teams that are eager to compete and continuously improve. “As a member of the European Aquatics Technical Artistic Swimming Committee (TASC) I have been working closely with this community for the past two seasons. Throughout this time, our shared mission has always been to create greater value for athletes and to reach new teams and emerging talents. “Since I took on the role of head coach of the Turkish national team in 2021 we have worked on a dynamic approach. “Our solo, duet, and team programmes – and the competitions we have attended – have all evolved based on our athletes’ needs and development stages. “This season, for the first time, we separated duet and team training systems and introduced new methodologies tailored specifically to the team’s current level and requirements. “At one stage we had even decided not to participate in the European Aquatics Championships in Paris as our team is very young and still gaining experience. “However, following our acceptance into this project, we reassessed our plans by carefully analysing the team’s needs. “The support from European Aquatics made us feel that we are not alone in this journey, which has been incredibly encouraging for all of us. “To address our current gaps – particularly in acrobatic elements – we have planned a dedicated training camp in June. “At the same time we are receiving valuable feedback from judges and experts regarding our development process, which allows us to continuously refine and structure our training more effectively. “We are truly excited and grateful for this collaboration. The professionalism, step-by-step structure and genuine support we are experiencing through this partnership are extremely motivating. “This initiative is not only about the present moment – it is a source of inspiration that will extend to future generations. For us it stands as a powerful reminder that if you truly want to succeed there is always a way. “My sincere thanks to European Aquatics and to everyone involved in making this project possible.” Meanwhile Bulgarian athletes working towards competing in the acrobatic and team technical events are under the charge of the national federation’s head coach, Irina Dimitrova. Dimitrova has had more than 30 years’ experience as a coach in artistic swimming. During that time she has have guided both junior and senior athletes to appearances in finals at European and world competitions. They included Asia Anastasova and Bogdanq Zareva, who made the top 20 in the duet event at the 2004 Athens Games having become Bulgaria’s first artistic swimmers to qualify for the Olympics. Dimitrova is being assisted by Yulia Chuburova, who added: “I am an artistic swimming coach with over 20 years of experience. I began my coaching career in 2001, preparing a duet that represented Bulgaria at the European Junior Championships in Kharkhiv, Ukraine. “I have worked as a national coach, with athletes from my club consistently winning the Bulgarian National Championships. “Since 2023, I have been developing a mixed duet with Dimitar Isaev, a former diver. In just three years, he has progressed significantly. “I believe Bulgaria has talented athletes and dedicated coaches with strong potential for international success.” Looking ahead to the EA Championships, Dimitrova told European Aquatics: “We hope we can manage to qualify for the finals of all events in which we are going to participate. “For future years I would love to see our team become more professional and masterful in terms of skills so we can have better rankings in near future. “In terms of the challenges we have faced I can mention that all competitors train in their sports clubs on local level, so we find it especially challenging to work on team routines when we are separated. “So far we have had just one training camp, and our next one is set for the end of this month. “Until we were approved for the EA support programme we didn’t have any plans to compete at team events in Paris. “The majority of our athletes are in the junior age group, and they have had a range of experience in solo, duet and team routines. We are working on team technical and acrobatic routines for Paris 2026. “It was challenging to build team routines in both the tech and Acro programmes in that first training camp, but we managed to do it in the little time available to us and that was a big gain. “We had really important task from our federation for this camp, where we were also working on points for duet and mixed duet free. All our athletes worked hard both on duet events and team events. “We have one male athlete in our team.” Portugal, who are being guided by the national federation’s head coach of artistic swimming, Maura Xavier, number two male athletes in their team which is targeting the acrobatics event in Paris. Xavier
Total of 14 successful NFs will collect Swim Safe Europe certificates during EA Championships in Paris – and 2026 applications are invited
Fourteen successful national federations will receive their Swim Safe Europe (SSE) certificates in Paris during this summer’s European Aquatics Championships. Meanwhile the application process for 2026 certification is now open for all national federations wishing to submit their programmes ahead of the presentation of certificates at the SSE Annual Conference at St Denis from August 7 to 8 (online and in-person). Certificates will be available to all federations who will have completed the process by June 2026, with details of the event available here: SSE Conference Info Results were very positive for the 14 national federations that have already undergone a rigorous evaluation by the members of the Principle 1 Scientific Commission – Dive to Survive. The outcomes demonstrate a strong performance, with most federations positioned at the intermediate and highest levels of certification. Four federations achieved gold certification, nine achieved silver and one achieved bronze. The certification process goes beyond simply assigning a level. It provides federations with recommendations and inputs to further develop and improve their programmes, enhancing overall quality and harmonisation across Europe. Regarding applications for 2026 certification, please consult the FAQ for guidance here: SSE Certification FAQ The EA SSE programme is a European-wide initiative that recognizes the commitment of EA memberfederations to promoting swimming education, physical activity, and drowning prevention.Federations that apply for certification can receive one of three progressive certification levelsbased on their achievements. This certification serves as a formal European recognition of a federation’s strategic efforts toenhance swimming education and water safety. Federations that do not meet the highestcertification level will receive recommendations aligned with the SSE Program to support theirimprovement, taking into account the specificities of the level they have achieved and the level theyaim to reach. Mike Rowbottom for European Aquatics