Aquatics Community
Building a global community around water. Our programmes aim to make aquatics accessible, safe, and sustainable for everyone.
Grassroots
- Discover Water Programme
The Discover Water programme is a key part of World Aquatics’ mission to make aquatics accessible and safe for all. Designed as a modern framework for participation and water safety, it goes beyond traditional swimming instruction by embracing physical literacy — supporting children’s physical, cognitive, psychological, and social development in and around the water.
Developed with the support of programme development experts Assoc. Prof. Dean Dudley (Macquarie University), Viv Holt, and Kevin Barton (Youth Sport Trust International), the concept was strengthened through collaboration with World Aquatics Continental Experts: Raul Araya (Americas), Nari Shin (Asia), Thierno Diouf (Africa), Haydn Belshaw (Oceania), and Aisling McKeever (Europe).
Focused on children aged 6 to 12, Discover Water builds essential water safety knowledge and fosters a positive, long-lasting relationship with aquatic environments. The programme supports drowning prevention, encourages confidence and motivation, and promotes physical literacy — laying the foundation for healthier habits and more resilient, active communities around the world.
Discover Water Toolkit
The Discover Water toolkit provides Member Federations and local educators with practical resources to bring the programme to life:
1. Guidebook: Introduces the Discover Water concept, principles, strategies, and planning guidance (please find the Guidebook attached at the end of this section).
2. Playbook: (available only to Member Federations with trained Discover Water representatives) Offers curriculum development guidance, safety and safeguarding measures, assessment tools, and programme evaluation resources.
3. Activity Cards: (available only to Member Federations with trained Discover Water representatives) A set of 40 ready-to-use activities to help educators create engaging, safe, and developmentally appropriate aquatic experiences.
Designed for Member Federations and partner organisations, Discover Water supports the creation of national water safety and aquatic participation programmes, as well as the training of local educators.
Implementation
Discover Water is delivered through a collaborative, capacity-building approach:
1. World Aquatics trains Country Leads, who serve as the main national contact for Discover Water.
2. Country Leads work with their Member Federations to develop national Discover Water plans and train local educators.
3. Trained educators deliver the programme directly to children, ensuring that Discover Water reaches communities at the grassroots level.
This structure strengthens local capacity, ensures consistency, and enables long-term, sustainable impact in each country.
Sustainability
- Blueprint Strategy
At World Aquatics, sustainability is at the core of our mission. As the global leader in aquatic sports, we recognise both the privilege of our worldwide platform and the responsibility to protect the water that connects us all — and the communities who rely on it.
Water sustains life, inspires our athletes, and brings joy to millions. It also reminds us of our duty to safeguard it for people, nature, and future generations.
In 2024, World Aquatics joined the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, committing to reduce our environmental impact, advance sustainable development, and mobilise the global aquatics community to act.
Our sustainability strategy — The Blueprint — aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have identified the SDGs where aquatic sports can make the greatest contribution and use them to guide our work across environmental, social, and governance areas (please find the Blueprint attached at the end of this section).
1) World Aquatics as an Organisation
Strengthening our internal operations through responsible governance and reduced impact.
1. Advocacy for sustainable development: Using the World Aquatics platform to promote global sustainability efforts.
2. Reducing the climate impact of World Aquatics: Establishing processes and actions to lower our organisational footprint.
3. Sustainable procurement: Using our purchasing power to reduce impact and encourage positive change.
2) World Aquatics as an Event Owner
Embedding sustainability into the planning and delivery of our events.
1. Strategic event planning: Integrating sustainability considerations across all planning stages to ensure responsible, future-focused events.
2. Event operations: Applying sustainable practices to venue management, catering, ticketing, broadcasting, merchandising, and marketing.
3. Sustainable travel: Encouraging low-impact travel options for spectators, participants, and teams, including improved local event transport.
3) World Aquatics as a Leader of the Aquatics Community
Empowering athletes, members federations, and partners to champion positive change within and beyond our sport.
1. Athlete engagement: Supporting athletes in promoting sustainability within and beyond sport.
2. Improving facility and equipment standards: Enhancing quality and efficiency to reduce environmental impact and create social value.
3. Community empowerment: Providing education, resources, and engagement opportunities for Member Federations and the global aquatic community.
A Commitment to Measurable Progress
Together, these themes ensure that every part of World Aquatics’ work — from internal operations to global competitions and grassroots development — is aligned toward sustainability.
The Blueprint includes 58 time-bound targets anchored in the SDGs and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, ensuring accountable, measurable action.
As seen in the visual below, the Blueprint outlines World Aquatics’ Vision and Mission, details the process that shaped it, and sets a clear roadmap to 2030.
Water is at the heart of aquatic sport — protecting it now ensures that our sport, our environments, and communities can thrive for generations to come.