23/01/2024

RLSS UK has announced an exciting collaboration with Safe Water Sports (SWS), a non-profit organisation that was established in Greece in 2015, aiming primarily to support safety in water, water-related sports and recreational activities. 

SWS was launched as a result of a tragic incident in the summer of 2014 on Mykonos Island, Greece, when 10-year-old Michael Paschalakis lost his life while doing water sports with his friends. Michael's father, Mr Panagiotis Paschalakis, is the founder and President of Safe Water Sports. The main objective of the organisation is to increase the safety of activities in and around the water and reduce the risks of drowning. 

Mr Paschalakis said: “Safe Water Sports is thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration with the Royal Life Saving Society UK, forging a powerful alliance to develop a strategy plan and mutual vision for water safety, specifically for people in the UK visiting Greece.  

“Together, we plan to redefine standards and practices in preventing drownings and promoting an environment where water enthusiasts at any age can embrace the joy of aquatic activities without fear.”
 
RLSS UK Charity Director, Lee Heard, said: “The work of Safe Water Sports is invaluable in preventing tragic drownings in Greece, of its own citizens and tourists from different countries. 
 
“We have strongly aligned aims and objectives as organisations, and there is so much potential for our future – we can’t wait to get started. They have already achieved so much in a relatively short time, and we are looking forward to collaborating to share our knowledge and skills to educate more people on water safety and save lives.” 
 
The partnership will see a number of projects in 2024, including promoting the Safe Water Sport app to UK and Irish citizens travelling to Greece and Cyprus, sharing education resources and programmes, developing SWS Safe Swim Programme and amplifying awareness campaigns – and that’s just to start!

More information about Safe Water Sports