The Water Sports Festival (WSF), a project co-financed by the European Union within the Erasmus+ Sport framework, held in Zagreb from August 24–31, 2024, was not just an event—it was a transformative experience that brought together athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts from across Europe. This collaborative initiative highlighted the power of sports to transcend boundaries and emphasized the benefits of a multi-sport approach.
A New Dimension to Water Sports
Organized as part of an Erasmus+ project, WSF aimed to integrate diverse water sports into grassroots organizations’ activities. The event showcased four key sports—water polo, finswimming, open water swimming, and swim-run triathlon—each providing participants with unique challenges and opportunities for growth.
The festival emphasized the benefits of a multi-sport approach, particularly for youth, including enhanced motor skills, reduced risk of burnout, and a longer, more enjoyable athletic career. This aligns with recent research advocating for multi-discipline engagement to counter the negative effects of early sports specialization.
Collaboration Across Borders
The WSF was a joint effort by three organizations: Sharks Sport Club (Sweden), Sirens ASC (Malta), and Finswimming Team Novi Jelkovec (Croatia). Each brought their expertise to the table:
Sharks Sport Club introduced triathlon and swim-run training.
Sirens ASC shared insights from their water polo and artistic swimming programs.
Finswimming Team Novi Jelkovec spearheaded finswimming workshops, showcasing this emerging sport’s potential to attract new athletes.
Empowering Athletes and Coaches
The week-long program included:
Water Polo Tournament: Held at the Mladost swimming pool in Zagreb, where Malta’s U-19 women’s team engaged in matches and training sessions with international participants.
Finswimming Training: Hosted by Finswimming Team Novi Jelkovec, participants explored the techniques and thrills of finswimming, building camaraderie and technical proficiency.
Open Water Swimming and Swim-Run: Conducted at Jarun Lake, these sessions allowed athletes to experience the unique demands of outdoor aquatic sports, combining endurance with adaptability.
Grassroots Impact and Beyond
With 32 participants from Croatia, Sweden, and Malta, the WSF became a melting pot of cultures and skills. By fostering collaboration, the festival not only enhanced participants’ athletic capabilities but also prepared coaches and volunteers for organizing international sports events.
The festival also marked a step towards greater inclusion, involving athletes from various socio-economic backgrounds and encouraging more women to engage in watersports. This resonates with the broader goals of promoting equality and access in sports, as outlined in the EU Work Plan for Sport 2021–2024.
A Vision for the Future
WSF is more than a festival; it is a catalyst for change. With plans to sustain and expand the initiative, the partner organizations aim to introduce finswimming, triathlon, and swim-run to new regions while enhancing their own capacities for event management and community engagement.
The festival’s success demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion in sports. By embracing a multi-sport approach, the Water Sports Festival sets a benchmark for future projects that seek to unite communities and inspire athletes globally.
