The pioneering Aqua On The Move programme, offering free swimming lessons, attracted a large number of children. It was organised for the first time this year by the Hydra Nautical Club, in cooperation with the municipality and with the generous sponsorship of Pool Sport Aquatics, at Hydra’s junior and senior high school.

The programme concluded successfully with an impressive swimming demonstration, during which the young swimmers showed their parents what they had learnt over the preceding weeks at the well-organised and safe swimming training facility established for children on Hydra. The sight of the children swimming with ease and confidence prompted enthusiastic applause from those attending.

Parents and children also responded particularly warmly throughout the programme, confirming the importance of initiatives that make swimming lessons accessible, even in areas without permanent swimming facilities.

What is Aqua On The Move?

Aqua On The Move is a comprehensive swimming instruction programme. It uses a specially designed, lightweight, above-ground, prefabricated swimming pool measuring 10 metres in length, together with the necessary electromechanical equipment and all the infrastructure required for safe and reliable operation.

Specialist staff, including physical education instructors, swimming coaches and lifeguards, create a fully organised and controlled learning environment at each location where the programme is delivered.

A moving response to the programme

The president of the Hydra Nautical Club, Theodoros Moustakarias, spoke warmly about the children’s impressive progress. In his brief address, he described an initiative that had clearly been embraced by the community and had offered considerable benefits to the island’s children.

“Congratulations to all the children who took part in the first Aqua On The Move programme we organised. We must not forget that swimming must, first and foremost, take place under safe conditions. For this reason, I would like to thank Pool Sport Aquatics, a company specialising in aquatic sports, for providing the pool, the instructors and, more generally, the exceptionally high-quality service it delivered.

“I am very happy to see that, through this initiative by the Hydra Nautical Club, the children have been able to socialise and develop a love for the water,” Mr Moustakarias said.

He continued: “I would also like to thank the parents, who accepted and embraced our initiative. I believe we will be able to continue it and will do everything possible to establish this activity as a permanent fixture. First and foremost, because our island needs it.”

The island’s mayor, George Koukoudakis, also highlighted the programme’s considerable success, praising the more than 70 children who took part.

Parents, children and friends of the Hydra Nautical Club have already made plans to meet again next season. The young swimmers also received commemorative awards and certificates in recognition of their participation.