Twenty-two participants from across the Americas gathered for a week of learning and collaboration focused on water safety, aquatic participation and sustainable community development.
World Aquatics, in cooperation with the Aruba Aquatics Federation, recently hosted the third World Aquatics Discover Water Country Leads training, from 20-25 February 2026, welcoming participants from 22 countries across the continent. The six-day programme focused on water safety, aquatic participation, leadership development and sustainable community-based initiatives.
Following last year’s World Aquatics Discover Water Country Leads training in Salima, Malawi and Bhubaneswar, India, participants engaged in both practical and theoretical sessions covering child-centred lesson planning, physical literacy and strategies for promoting water safety in communities. The course empowered emerging leaders to become Discover Water Country Leads in their countries, helping to expand this global programme, which equips children with skills for safe aquatic participation while promoting teamwork, confidence and problem-solving abilities that extend beyond the water.
The training was structured around the four domains of physical literacy - physical, psychological, social and cognitive - and the eight Discover Water elements that guide the programme’s teaching framework.
For participants like Samantha Arevalo of Ecuador, this blend of theory and hands-on learning was what made the experience so effective.
“Being part of this programme has been both inspiring and challenging. I appreciate how it combines strong theoretical foundations with practical application, which makes the learning experience very dynamic and meaningful,” she said.
“Learning alongside colleagues from different countries has enriched my perspective and reinforced the importance of collaboration in aquatic development.”
A key highlight was a community session involving 50 local children, allowing participants to apply their learning through interactive activities emphasising water safety, teamwork, environmental awareness and Olympic values.
This direct experience proved particularly valuable for participants including Benjamin Hockin of Paraguay.
“The way the sessions were delivered, both the theoretical and practical components, was excellent, as it allowed us to experience the activities ourselves rather than only observe them. This hands-on approach makes it much easier to understand the philosophy of the programme and later transfer and implement it in our own countries,” he said.
Participants clearly shared a common vision: ensuring every child has the opportunity to feel safe, confident and capable in and around water, while promoting lasting connections between communities and aquatics.
“What I value most is that it is not only a learn-to-swim programme, but a holistic approach that focuses on helping children enjoy the aquatic environment, feel safe, confident and connected to the water. It truly provides a broader vision of aquatic education,” Hockin added.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to be part of the World Aquatics Discover Water Programme.”
Alicia Proud from the Cayman Islands highlighted how the programme strengthened her confidence in delivering the initiative at home.
“Personally, I have learned a lot in a short space of time. I feel that I have been accepted and heard, and I have gradually grown more confident each day about delivering this course back home in the future. It is definitely something to work towards for the long term,” she said.
“I think Discover Water is a really strong and practical programme. It is not just about teaching children to swim - it links water safety, physical literacy and long-term participation in aquatics. It feels like something that can genuinely make a difference if implemented properly at national level.”
The cross-cultural dimension of the training added another layer of richness to the experience
“Learning alongside colleagues from different countries has enriched my perspective and reinforced the importance of collaboration in aquatic development,” Arevalo noted.
Maureen Croes, Vice President of World Aquatics and President of Panam Aquatics also reflected on the course, stating;
“Seeing World Aquatics develop the Discover Water programme reinforces something I deeply believe: water safety is not a privilege, it is a right. Every child, no matter where they come from, deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim and to feel safe and confident around water.
The fact that 22 countries sent representatives to Aruba speaks volumes. Our National Federations understand that strong grassroots programs are essential for the future of our sport and for the wellbeing of their communities. Elite sport may be for a select few, but learning to swim and enjoying the water should be for everyone, for life.”
As the initiative expands across continents, Discover Water milestones such as the training which took place in Aruba play a key role in shaping future generations who feel safe, confident and engaged in and around water.
If you would like to hear more about the Discover Water Programme, please contact World Aquatics Development Coordinator William Salvi at william.salvi@worldaquatics.com.