In the summer of 2022, we met with more than 800 children and young people across Latvia. In order to provide practical swimming skills and teach safe swimming and behaviour in and around water bodies, we are funded by AAS Balta and funds donated during the 24-hour basketball tournament “Krastu mačs”.
Water survival skills, behaviour in the case of an accidental fall into the water, getting rid of clothes, emergency actions, helping someone in need and sufficient swimming skills – these are the topics that we talk about and let you experience in practice in open water bodies – rivers, lakes, seas, ponds – in places where people usually swim during the summer.
Camp “Ziepniekkalns swimming pool”, Riga | June 1, 6, 7, 2022
24 children learnt the basics of safe behaviour near the water, pretended to accidentally fall into the water, and also, with the help of a special mannequin, learnt how easy or difficult it is to help another person in trouble. The classes were led by Pāvels Murāns and Marija Šteinberga.
The public swimming area on the right bank of the River Lielupe, Jelgava | 11 and 20 June, 9 and 25 July, 6 and 22 August 2022
Safe swimming lessons for children (5-16 years old) were organised by the City of Jelgava in cooperation with the Association “Swim Safely” and with the support of the European Social Fund project “Promotion of Health in Jelgava”. The classes were led by Agnese Gedrovica, Kristaps Vaģelis, Emīls Spulle and Ieva Gedrovica.
Swimming place near Gauja, Valmiera | 13 June, 6 July, 2 and 10 August 2022
Theoretical and practical classes were conducted by Inga Amerika, Toms Jēkabsons, Jeļena Rutka and Emīls Spulle within the framework of the camps “Swimming training, safety on water” (“Peldētapmacība, drošība uz ūdens”) and “Adventure Whirlpool” (“Piedzīvojumu virpulis”) organised by “Vidzeme Olympic Centre”.
Zvejniekciems beach | 21 June 2022
Emīls Spulle, Karlīna Vegnere and Adrija Emolīte visited the students of Zvejniekciems Youth Water Sports Club.
Guest house “Gungas”, Ādaži, guest house “Brūveri”, Sigulda and Salacgrīva beach | 29 June, 6, 13 and 20 July, 17 August
For the third summer we have been visiting the organisers of the “Bindenti” children’s camps; this year, Inga Amerika, Pāvels Murāns, Karlīna Vegnere, Jēkabs Staņko, Dāvis Zvīgulis, Adrija Emolīte presented the information about water safety to the children.
Mazirbe beach | 18 July
We visited the summer camp organised by the association “SOS Children’s Villages” called “Let’s jump into the summer!” (“Ielecam vasarā!”) The camp in Mazirbe was attended by children and youth from Kurzeme, as well guardians and foster families being under the care of “AIRI vecākiem” centre in Riga and Bauska. The camp was financially supported by the Society Integration Foundation from the allocated state budget funds under project No. 2022.LV/ĢDP/98.
Tigava near Kuldiga | 9 August
In the scout and waiting camp, children are well-informed and know how to survive in nature. “Swim safely” coaches Toms Jēkabsons, Markes Veiss and Kristaps Vaģelis added knowledge about safety on the water and on how to help others if they are in trouble.
