European Aquatics launches Swim Safe Europe coaching training in Iceland and Faroe Islands

European Aquatics is proud to announce the launch of the Swim Safe Europe Coach Training Course, a key milestone in the continent-wide effort to strengthen aquatic education and water safety. The initiative forms part of the broader Swim Safe Europe programme, which seeks to harmonise Learn to Swim standards across Europe and ensure that every child aged 3 to 12, regardless of location or background, develops the essential skills needed to stay safe and confident in aquatic environments.

The course will be delivered in a hybrid format, beginning with an online session now scheduled for 10 October 2025 from 10:00 to 14:00 CET, hosted on the European Aquatics Academy platform. This session will provide the theoretical foundation of the Swim Safe Europe programme, introducing participants to its mission, implementation strategy, and certification framework. It will be led by Antonio Silva, President of European Aquatics; Professor Aldo Costa, President of the Portugese Swimming Coaches Association; and Sílvia Costa, Aquatics Social Responsibility Manager at European Aquatics.

Following the online component, the in-person workshop will take place in Reykjavík on 11–12 October, hosted at the ISI Conference Rooms and Laugardalslaug Pool. These sessions will focus on practical teaching strategies, assessment methods, and the application of the Swim Safe Europe model at national and local levels. Under the guidance of Dr. Boro Štrumbelj from the University of Ljubljana and Rókur í Jákupsstovu, President of Faroe Islands Aquatics, participants will explore the full progression of the Swim Safe Europe framework, from Bronze (aquatic readiness) through Silver (competence) to Gold (advanced self-rescue).

The in-person section of the course will only be open to participants from Iceland and Faroe Islands.

The Swim Safe Europe initiative reflects European Aquatics’ commitment to addressing one of Europe’s most significant public health challenges; drowning. By developing a unified, evidence-based training structure, it provides instructors, schools, and local authorities with the tools and standards to deliver consistent, high-quality aquatic education.

Registration is still open at the time of writing, allowing participants additional time to secure their place. Enrolment can be completed through the European Aquatics Academy Learning Platform at the bottom of this page. While the online module is open to all interested participants across Europe, the in-person sessions in Iceland form part of a pilot phase reserved for delegates from Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Future adaptations of the course will enable hosts to produce different parameters.

Click here to register for the course.

Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics

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