Interview with Mr. Panagiotis Paschalakis

Interview with the founder and President of the non-profit Organization “Safe Water Sports”, Mr. Panagiotis Paschalakis:

“Attica’s beaches are safe, as long as one follows the respective advice and instructions provided”

1. Mr. Paschalakis, since 2015 the “Safe Water Sports” initiative has been systematically working on reinforcing safety in all sports and recreational activities taking place in the country’s aquatic environment. It is the first time Europe has seen such an organized effort. Tell us a few words about this initiative…

The non-profit Organization “Safe Water Sports” has been active since 2015, its primary scope being the prevention of drownings and accidents that take place in Greece’s aquatic environment. The actions of the Organization focus on the overall reinforcement of safety both at sea and inland water, in cooperation with the Private and Public sectors. In addition, the Organization informs and raises awareness amongst society – especially children, young people, and the elderly – on issues related to their safety in water, sea, water sports, and other recreational activities. Today, Safe Water Sports operates in Greece and Cyprus.

2. What initiatives has the Organization taken to this day, in cooperation with private and public entities?

The main initiatives taken by Safe Water Sports are the following:

• Integrated Control & Inspection Information System.

Safe Water Sports has developed and provided the Hellenic Ministry of Maritime and Island Policy as well as the Port Authorities in Cyprus with an innovative “Integrated Control & Inspection Information System”, at absolutely no cost. Through this Information system, Port Authorities can now manage electronically all licenses of businesses and professionals (e.g., lifeguards at beaches, water sports, daily cruises, etc.); use tablets and a specially designed software (app) for regular and surprise controls and inspections; monitor any violations and fines imposed; manage the efficiency of port authorities and detect any potential deficiencies.

• Observatory of Accidents.

The Organization has developed and is operating, in cooperation with the State, the “OBSERVATORY OF ACCIDENTS”, which allows a detailed listing of individual information regarding drownings and accidents at sea and inland water (swimming pools, rivers, lakes, etc.) in cooperation with the Greek Port Authorities and the Greek Police respectively. The Organization itself has undertaken this statistical processing of the Observatory’s data, to help draw a national policy for the prevention and consistent reduction of accidents.

• Legislative work.

Safe Water Sports suggests, participates, and contributes to the modernization of the wider institutional framework regarding water safety. To date, three major legislative initiatives have been implemented, with our participation and contribution: the establishment of the National Day for the Prevention of Drownings and Water-Based Accidents (Law 4597/28-2-2019); the PD 71/2020 regarding the operation of lifeguards’ schools and lifeguards availability at beaches; and the General Regulation No. 20 (for water sports and any water-related activities).

• Educational Program.

SWS has created an innovative educational program for students in primary and secondary education, which has been approved by the Ministry of Education in Greece and Cyprus. In 2018, the program was first presented at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic. Since 2020, the educational program for primary schools has been included in platform 21 of the Institute of Educational Policy and has become part of the core curriculum in all schools of the country. Our educational actions aim at helping students of all age groups understand the safety rules applied in water and water recreational activities. The program features comprehensive and modern educational material (video, animation, quiz, educational bag, etc.). Every year, 40,000 children participate in the Organization’s educational actions.

• Safe Water Sports app.

Safe Water Sports has developed an electronic platform for public awareness, which is available online via our website (www.safewatersports.com) and a free mobile application (Safe Water Sports app). Through this platform, users can get information in Greek, English, and French regarding water recreational activities (swimming, water sports, etc.), safety regulations et al. in Greece and Cyprus.

• Awareness campaigns for the elderly.

The Organization implements a great number of awareness actions aimed at informing the elderly about the dangers and safety measures they must consider when at sea. The program has been designed under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Shipping & Island Policy and the Hellenic Coast Guard, with the support of the Hellenic Ministry of Health.

• Water Sports Certification.

In cooperation with TÜV AUSTRIA HELLAS (independent control and certification body), we created a Compliance Control and Quality Private Protocol for water sports rental centres. Water sports businesses that meet specific safety standards and wish to be certified are granted the “Water Sports Certified Quality’’ logo. To date, Water Sports Certification has been granted to 40 centres and is expected to expand throughout Greece in the years to come.

• Collaboration with Local Government.

The Organization works closely with local authorities, implementing two key actions:

• Placing safety awareness signs to avoid dangers at the beach and in the sea. To date, safety signs have been placed at over 500 beaches across Greece.
• Operating “info kiosks” at beaches during summer, where children can participate in several fun activities that teach them how to be safe at sea and in water sports activities.

3. Greece is ranked 11th on the list of countries with the longest coastline (13,676 kilometres) in the world. How can our country be an example of safety at sea, and in what way will this upgrade Greek tourism products?

The aforementioned initiatives, more that we are planning to implement sooner, make our country a pioneer in Europe and on an international level when it comes to safety in the water. The majority of foreign travellers who visit Greece every year, choose our country for the sea, the water sports, and all recreational activities taking place in water. The promotion of Greece as a safe destination worldwide for water recreation will significantly contribute to the enhancement of our tourism product and the increase of visitors.

4. Every year, Attica attracts great numbers of visitors who enjoy its coastline and islands. How safe do you consider Attica’s destinations for someone who wishes to enjoy sea and water sports?

The coastline in the Region of Attica, along with its islands, is approximately 800 km long. Today, Attica is ranked 3rd in the list of regions with the most lifeguarded beaches in Greece (56 beaches) and 4th in the list of lifeguard positions (69 positions). Attica’s destinations are safe, as long as one follows the respective advice and instructions provided.

5. What types of water sports are available in Attica? Which are the most popular and why?

Attica’s beaches offer all water sports available across Greece. In August 2020, the busiest vacation month, the Region of Attica featured 36 water sports centres, 54 dive centres, and 88 boat rentals. The most popular water sports are inflatable towable (tubes, water sofas, etc.), water-skiing, and windsurfing.

6. What advice would you give to foreign visitors to Attica for safe water activities? What should they be careful of, when they swim in the sea or choose water sports?

When it comes to swimming, we suggest especially the elderly and families with little children go to lifeguarded beaches preferably from 10.00 to 18.00, which is when lifeguards are at post. As regards water sports, we recommend they read the terms and conditions that should be applied and of course, select only businesses that have the respective water sport license. Selecting a company or centre that has the “Water Sports Certified Quality” logo is also very important.

All this information is available only on the Safe Water Sports mobile app, which we strongly advise everyone should download.

7. What information can Attica’s residents and visitors find at the “Safe Water Sports” bilingual electronic platform and free app?

Through the Safe Water Sports app, Attica’s visitors may find information (both in Greek and English) about:

• beaches in Attica where they can swim, including all safety features available, a characteristic photo, and location on the map,
• water sports and dive centres,
• marinas,
• boat rentals,
• hospitals,
• Port Authorities,
• as well as, all applicable safety regulations for each water sport and sea activity.

8. Which are your favourite seaside destinations in Attica and why?

My favourite seaside destinations in Attica are the beaches in Voula and Vouliagmeni. This is where I spent every summer of my childhood with my family, therefore my early memories are closely associated with these destinations.