Beck will bring her passion for the water to communities around the world, helping to inspire more people to develop lifelong water skills. As a global ambassador for Discover Water, she will champion the programme through community visits, events, conferences and social media. Her voice will promote the life-saving importance of water safety and encourage the next generation to enjoy the water with confidence.

Beck's relationship with Discover Water began last year, when she travelled to Malawi to take part in a training course for Country Leads from 15 African nations, sharing her experience as an athlete and helping equip participants to deliver the programme locally.

Launched ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on World Drowning Prevention Day, Discover Water is World Aquatics' global water safety programme, designed to inspire children to develop confidence in and around the water. Through engaging educational resources and practical learning tools, the programme helps young people build essential water safety skills while encouraging a lifelong enjoyment of aquatic activities.

Reflecting on why she took on the role, Beck spoke about her personal connection to the water and the importance of the cause.

“Water has shaped my entire life. As a swimmer, I know how important it is to feel safe and confident in and around water, and how much learning to swim can give you,” Beck said.

"Water safety can be a matter of life and death, so I am proud to use my voice and platform to help World Aquatics bring this message to more children and communities around the world"
By Leonie Beck
Image Source: World Aquatics

Looking back on her time in Malawi, Beck explained how the experience shaped her decision to become an ambassador.

“In Malawi, I saw how much impact can be created when people from different countries come together with a shared commitment to water safety. The passion and knowledge in the room were incredibly inspiring, and the experience showed me how far this programme can reach through strong local leaders,” she reflected.

For Beck, the ambassadorial role is also a chance to continue her personal involvement in the Discover Water programme beyond simply lending her name and profile to the cause.

“For me, this role is about more than lending my name to the programme. I want to be present in the communities, contribute to the activities on site and share my experience with educators, coaches and participants. I want to help make Discover Water tangible and meaningful for the people it is designed to support,” she said.

Ultimately, Beck hopes her work as an ambassador will inspire the next generation to carry the message of water safety forward.

"My hope is that we can inspire children, families and communities to understand that water safety is a life skill"
By Leonie Beck

“If people carry that message forward and share it with others, the impact can continue far beyond each individual programme.”

Beck's appointment comes as World Aquatics joins the global call to action for World Drowning Prevention Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2021 to highlight the devastating and preventable impact of drowning, which claims over 300,000 lives every year and remains among the leading causes of death for children aged 5-14. This year's theme, “Unite to Turn the Tide,” calls on every part of society, from parents and educators to policymakers, to play a role in the World Health Organization's goal of reducing drowning deaths by 35% by 2035.

World Aquatics welcomes Leonie Beck to the Discover Water family, and looks forward to the impact she will make for communities around the world.