2026 European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Clinic for Officials – Level 3: bulletin now available
European Aquatics has published the official bulletin for the 2026 Open Water Swimming Clinic for Officials – Level 3, confirming that the course will take place in Larnaca, Cyprus, on 21–22 March 2026. The clinic forms a central component of the organisation’s education pathway and aligns with the objectives set out in the European Aquatics Strategic Plan 2024–2030, reinforcing the commitment to excellence, consistency and safety across open water swimming officiating.
The Level 3 Clinic represents the highest step in the European Aquatics open water officiating structure and, from the 2026 season onwards, participation will be mandatory for those wishing to serve as chief referee or safety officer at European Aquatics open water swimming events.
The clinic will be delivered in two phases. The first phase, a two-day theoretical module in Larnaca, will focus on the responsibilities and decision-making frameworks of the chief referee and safety officer. Sessions will examine regulatory interpretation, operational control, risk management and event safety protocols, concluding with a formal examination. Officials who successfully complete this component will progress to the practical module, during which they will be appointed as referee or assistant safety officer at designated European Aquatics events under the direct supervision of a member of the technical open water swimming committee (TOWSC). Practical appointments will be allocated based on candidate availability submitted during the application process.
Participation is open to officials nominated by European Aquatics member federations who currently hold level 2 open water swimming certification. Candidates must demonstrate significant experience at national and international level, including service as chief referee or safety officer domestically, and provide officiating statistics covering the 2022–2025 period. Business-fluent English, confirmed by the respective federation, is required. The certification obtained through the clinic will remain valid until 31 December 2027. European Aquatics reserves the right to limit the number of participants to 30 and to reject applications that do not meet the established criteria.
The clinic will be hosted at the Lordos Beach Hotel, a four-star venue located approximately 15 minutes from Larnaca International Airport. The participation fee is €250 for those booking the official accommodation, or €300 for participants arranging their own lodging. The official accommodation rate is €230 per night for a single room on a full-board basis. Airport transfers from and to Larnaca International Airport will be provided by the local organising committee for participants who book through the official hotel allocation.
The educational programme will be led by senior members of the technical open water swimming committee, including Spyridon Gianniotis, Vice-Chairman of TOWSC, and Bastian Esefeld, member of TOWSC and the education sub-commission for officials. Their sessions will address high-level officiating standards, safety governance and the consistent application of competition regulations across European Aquatics events.
Applications must be submitted by 8 March 2026 via the official form, duly completed and endorsed by the respective National Federation, and sent to education@europeanaquatics.org. Following review and approval by TOWSC, successful candidates will complete their registration and payment through the European Aquatics Education Platform.
With the publication of the bulletin, European Aquatics formally invites Member Federations to nominate suitably qualified officials for this advanced educational opportunity, ensuring that open water swimming across Europe continues to be delivered under the highest standards of technical competence, integrity and safety oversight.
to be delivered under the highest standards of technical competence, integrity and safety oversight.
Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics
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