2021 GLSA ANNUAL REPORT

GLSA
AnnualActivityReport 2021

Preface

Dear readers
This has been a historic year for water safety and lifesaving sport in
Greece. The Greek Lifesaving Sports Association (GLSA) achieved
two things. Firstly, it continued to walk into the street of success
implementing several activities. Secondly, it entered the
International Life Saving Federation and the International Life
Saving Federation of Europe. Unlike several organizations that
work on lifeguarding and drowning prevention, nobody else is
operating nor is eligible (according to the Greek legislation) to do
lifesaving sport in Greece. That gap obliges us to continue our
work. We are proud to keep lifesaving sport alive. By the end of this
year, GLSA achieved a lot as a new organization. This is remarkable
considering that we operate in a covid-19 era that we did not use
as excuse of delay or inaction. We present to you the GLSA Annual
Activity Report 2021. It contains our achievements on teaching,
publicity, partnerships, training, projects, competitions,
exhibitions, award presentations, scholarly work and our thanks to
those that helped us. This year was very tough but we succeeded.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Dr. Stathis Avramidis, GLSA President

4

Partnerships-Licences-Col aborations

1.We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 4.We became a Member of the International
the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association. Lifesaving Federation of Europe.
2.We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
5.We agreed with the Princess Charlene of Monaco
the Hellenic Water Polo Coaches Association. Foundation to implement the project "Safe
3.We became a Member of the International Greece" for 2021.

Lifesaving Federation.

Agreements-Approvals-Auspices

- The Sanitary Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of
Sports approved the "GLSA Sanitary Training & Competition
Protocol for covid-19".

- The Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021 was endorsed by the following 13
organizations; “Greece 2021” Committee, Princess Charlene of
Monaco Foundation, International Swimming Hall of Fame,
International Federation of Swimming Teachers' Association,
Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, Hellenic Navy Seals
Association, Make the Minute Matter, British Universities'
Lifesaving Club Association, Hellenic Olympians Association,
International Awards Giuseppe Sciacca, Hellenic Swimming
Federation, Hellenic Water Polo Coaches Association, Academy
Society and Sports.

- The Hellenic Ministry of Education approved the teaching of the
International Water Safety Program “Charlie the savior” in the
schools of Greece and Greek Diaspora.

- The International Swimming Hall of Fame and the International
Federation of Swimming Teachers' Association endorsed formally
the GLSA Lifesaving Championships.

Salutations

- Several organizations and of Greece; the Greek Solution Party. Karteroliotis (Dean, School of Sport
authorities saluted the Greek Science and Physical Education,
Lifesaving Cup 2021. These include The Director of Finances of the Athens University); Dr. Vicky Bafataki
the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. (Secretary General, International
Nikos Dendias; the BULSCA “Greece 2021” Committte Christos Awards Giuseppe Sciacca); Pascal
President Ben Barker; Minister of Granero (PCMF General Director);
Maritime Affairs Kostas Katsafados; Mandemlis attended the event. Dave Candler (IFSTA CEO); Alexandros
t h e M i n i ste r o f M r. A d o n i s - Several organizations supported the Palatianos (President, Hellenic Navy
Georgiadis; the Honorary Seals Association); Voula Zygouri, OLY
Chancelor of Monaco Samis candidacy of the GLSA to becoming (President, Academy “Society and
Gormezanos; the President of the an ILS Member. These are the Sports”, Secretary General Hellenic
International Swimming Hall of following: School of Sport Science Olympic Winners Association); Kristo
Fame Brent Rutemiller; the and Physical Education of Athens Grigorov (President, Bulgarian Red
President of the Hellenic Swimming University; A Chance For Children Cross); Torill Hindmarch (Hall of Fame
Federation Kiriakos Giannopoulos; Foundation; International Awards 2014), John Leech (CEO Water Safety
the “father” of Greek professional Giuseppe Sciacca; International Ireland), Dr. Steve Beerman (former
lifeguarding Lucas Bistarakis; the 4th Swimming Hall of Fame; ILS President); Dr. Shayne Baker
Greatest Athlete of All Times at the International Federation of (former RLSS Australia President); Dr.
World Games, Marcel Hassemeier; Swimming Teachers' Association; Klaus Wilkens (ILSE Hon. Lifetime
the Princess Charlene of Monaco Princess Charlene of Monaco President); Marcel Hassemeier (4th
Foundation; the Principal Lecturer Foundation; Hellenic Navy Seals Greatest World Games Athlete of All
in Physiology (ret) of Leeds Association; Academy “Society and Times); Graham Ford (ILS President);
Metropolitan University Dr. Ron Sports”. In addition, the Hellenic Dr. Detlev Mohr (ILSE President); John
Butterly; the CEO of Water Safety Olympic Winners Association and Martin (ILS Membership Committee).
Ireland John Leech; the Vice the Hellenic Olympians Association, - The GLSA owes the deepest
Admiral Sarma and Founding represented by their leaders, Evi appreciation and respect to the
President of Rastrigia Life Saving Moraitidou and Voula Kozompoli "architect" of ILS, without whose
Society, India; the Royal Life Saving respectively, publicly praised the assistance nothing would be
Society of Malaysia; the CEO of the entry of the GLSA to the ILS/ILSE. possible; Dr. Harald Vervaecke, has
International Federation of - Several individuals supported the been a "father" to all nations and
Swimming Teachers' Association, candidacy of the GLSA becoming ILS organizations. His leadership, endless
Dave Candler; Janet Wilson from member. These are the following: passion for lifesaving and desire to
the Royal Life Saving Society UK; the Lucas Bistarakis (“Father” of Greek spread the word of water safety
ILS Commmittee Member, Dr. professional lifeguarding and the internationally, was the cornerstone
Shayne Baker; the Communist Party Scuba-Lifeguard School of the to our journey.
Hellenic Red Cross), Greg Bonann
(creator of Baywatch, ILS Knight);
Brent Rutemiller (ISHOF President);
John Long (ILS Knight and Vice
President of Royal Life Saving Society
Commonwealth); Prof. Kostas

PublicationsandScholarlyWork

- The GLSA publishes each month the e-magazine "Sport - The GLSA participated in an aquatic research of the
Lifesaver" that is distributed freely to individuals and American Red Cross.
organizations in 122 countries.
- The GLSA Staff, Stathis Avramidis, Manolis Velonakis, - The GLSA members, Stathis Avramidis, Ioanna Mastora
Jeremy Simatos, John Dimakopoulos, Eleftheria and John Dimakopoulos are finalizing the book
Avramidou, Andy Pappas, updated the "Sanitary Training "Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic
& Competition Protocol for covid-19". Sport" that will be published in January 1, 2022.
- Dr. Stathis Avramidis currently writes a new book that will
form the basis for another children's drowning - Dr. Stathis Avramidis continues the authoring of the book
prevention program. "The History of Greek Lifesaving Sport".
- Dozens of contributors and organizations from various
countries published educational articles, news, reports -The GLSA Education Committee Chair, John
in the e-magazine "Sport Lifesaver". Dimakopoulos continues to prepare the book "The
- The “Drowning and Aquatic Injuries Dictionary” was Teaching of Lifesaving Sport".
published to enable aquatic safety professionals use a -The educational drowning prevention programs “A
common language with Dr. Stathis Avramidis among its Chance For Children” and the “International Water Safety
contributors. Program - Charlie the Savior” that were inspired by the
TV series “Baywatch” were approved by the Hellenic
Ministry of Education and Religion and the Institute of
Educational Policy for teaching in the nursery and
primary schools of Greece an Greek Diaspora.

Training

- The GLSA conducts online courses for pool and open
water lifesaving sport certifying about 60 judges and
sport science- physical education graduates.

- GLSA introduced lifesaving sport and water safety to
Glyfada Nautical Sport Club.

- GLSA supports the teaching of the module "lifesaving
sport" in the School of Sports Science and Physical
Education in the University of Athens.

- GLSA taught water safety and lifesaving sport
nationally to 3,834 pupils in summer camps, schools,
sport clubs, lifeguard agencies, general public.

Recognitions

- The e-magazine "Sport Lifesaver" featured Greek and
prestigious international personalities whose work
has been outstanding on a global level (Dr. Steve
Beerman, Marcel Hassemeier, Boayet, Brent
Rutemiller, Dr. Klaus Wilkens, Prof. Jan Holden,
Johnny Weismuller, Andreas Lenas, Dr. Evenel
Mervilus, Dave Candler).

- The Board Member of the Hellenic Water Polo
Coaches Association, Mr. Michalis Lazaridis received
the GLSA Medal of Honor at the Greek Lifesaving Cup
2021.

- The President of the Hellenic Olympic Winners
Association, Mrs. Evi Moraitidou received the GLSA
Medal of Honor at the Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021.

- The GLSA supporters Marianthi Kasdagli, Alexandra
Stamatopoulou, Naomi Grand' Pierre, Emilie Grand'
Pierre were honored for promoting the aims and
objectives of water safety and lifesaving sport in
Greece.

- The President of the Haitian Federation of Aquatic
Rescue, Mr. Evenel Mervelus, accepted the GLSA
Organization of the Year Award 2021.

- The Vice President of the Royal Lifesaving Society
Commonwealth and ILS Knight in the Order of
Lifesaving, Mr. John Long, accepted the GLSA
Lifetime Achievements Award 202”.
- The Director of the Glyfada Nautical Sports Club, Mr.
Tasos Papanastasiou received the GLSA Medal of
Honor at the Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021.
- The creator, director and producer of the TV series
"Baywatch" and co-founder of A Chance For
Children Foundation, Greg Bonann, received the
GLSA Medal of Honor in appreciation of his support
since 2010 to numerous water safety activities in
Greece.
- Several individuals were presented with the GLSA

Rescue Award for outstanding rescues. These are
Stelios Xenakis, Leandros Stefanakis, Yiannis
Zagourakis, Ntenia Koureta, Maria-Evgenia Balatsa,
Nafsika Balatsa, Nikos Paterakis.

Promotion-Publicity

- GLSA operates various social media accounts (blog, Facebook,
Instagram) to promote water safety and lifesaving sport activities in
Greece or abroad.

- The establishment of the GLSA had media exposure in USA and Greece.
- The International Water Safety Program "Charlie the savior" was

promoted and used.
- The project "Safe Greece 2021" had frequent media exposure.
- The "Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021" had considerable media exposure

(TV, radio, newspapers).
- The Drowning Prevention Program “A Chance For Children” was

promoted.

Future Perspectives

The GLSA intends to:
- participate in various championships (World Masters

Games, European Masters Games, World and European
Lifesaving Championships).
- participate as organization and support the Athens
University team at the annual BULSCA Championships.
- continue the communication and collaboration with
IFSTA, ILS, ILSE.
- continue to promote the work of all the Greek lifesaving
and water safety organizations as well as all the GLSA
partner-organizations through the e-magazine "Sport
Lifesaver".
- support the evolution of applied lifeguarding and
lifesaving sport at the Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki to widespread the knowledge even more
in Higher Education.

Innovations-Achievements-Awards

- The Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021 welcomed competitors
with disabilities for second year that competed
independently and together with the non-disabled
athletes.

- The Greek Lifesaving Cup 2021 attracted
participants 250 (athletes, spectators) from 5 countries
(Greece, Cyprus, England, Haiti, USA).

- John Dimakopoulos, GLSA Head of Education teaches
lifeguarding and lifesaving sport at the Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki thanks to his quality
collaboration with Prof. Serafim Alexiou.

- The creator of the International Water Safety Program
“Charlie the savior”, Dr. Stathis Avramidis, was honored
with the Diploma Award by Mr. John Long, Vice
President of RLSS Commonwealth.

- The 2020 Annual Activity Report of the Princess
Charlene of Monaco Foundation, revealed that the
GLSA was the 4th most productive organization among
16 countries in terms of water safety teaching.

Appreciations

It would be impossible for GLSA to have achieved all Leroy Merlin, Unity,
Cloakroom of Ilion
the above without the generous moral or substantial M u n i c i p a l i t y,
Hellenic Institute of
support of numerous people and organizations. It is Crises and Disaster
Management.
therefore our pleasure and obligation to warmly
- People: All the GLSA volunteers, scientific advisors, heads,
thank the below: athletes; Vaggelis Sarris; Dr. Harald Vervaecke; Dr. Klaus
Wilkens; Iraklis Markouizos; Vasilis Chantzopoulos; Karin
- Organizations: Princess Charlene of Monaco Obus; Daniel Yarur; Brent Rutemiller; Bruce Wigo; Dr.
Foundation, International Life Saving Federation, Ivonne Schmid; Greg Bonann; Emma Harrison; Xavier
International Life Saving Federation of Europe, Archibauld; Pascal Granero; Mikael Andraos; Dr. Ioanna
International Swimming Hall of Fame, A Chance for Mastora; Dr. Vicki Bafataki; Prof. Arturo Abraldes; Stella
Children Foundation, Royal Life Saving Society Kormikiari; Dr. Argiris Toubekis; Dr. Helen Soultanaki; Prof.
Commonwealth, Make the Minute Matter, Nikos Geladas; Prof. Kostas Karteroliotis; John Salogiannis;
International Water Safety Foundation, International Sotiris Bouzianis; Roula Karydopoulou; Efraim Chalkias;
Federation of Swimming Teachers' Association. John Dimakopoulos; Nikos Kouremenos; Lucas Bistarakis;
Ria Bouza; Stratis Sideris; Dimitris Salimidis; Angelos
- Sponsors: Unity Company, Water Salvation, Cretan Antonakakis. Photos: GLSA. Design: John Salogiannis.
Union of Agios Demetrios, Hellenic Rescue Team of
Attica, Xartino Karavi, Salogiannis Printing, Help
Rescue, Glyfada Nautical Sport Club, Marina
Toutountzi LR Independent Partner, Water Salvation,

HumanResources

There is a song that says that the “people have the Bruce Wigo (USA); John Long (UK); Dr. Kevin Moran (New
Zealand); Dr. Shayne Baker (Australia); Torill Hindmarch
power”. The GLSA spans its network already in 30 (Norway); Dr. Ana Catarina Queiroga (Portugal); Dott
Giorgio Quintavale (Italy).
countries in various categories: - Prestigious personalities were inducted as GLSA
- The GLSA reached 44 Club Members in 6 countries Supporters: Marianthi Kasdagli, Alexandra
(Greece, Uganda, Australia, Haiti, India, and Bangladesh). Stamatopoulou (Greece); Naomi Grand' Pierre, Emilie
- The GLSA has thousands of Individual Members in 9 Grand' Pierre (Haiti); Marcel Hassemeier (Germany).
countries (Greece, Cyprus, Uganda, Australia, UK, Russia, - We appointed Michalis Glynatsis as a regional coach.
USA, Haiti, Bangladesh, Rumania).
- The GLSA Honorary Members reached 54 from 17
countries. The new inductees are: Dr. Peter Wernicki,

Projects-Campaigns

- The GLSA participated in the 22st Swim Race at Lake - The GLSA maintains and updates a huge database of
historical archives to preserve the
Plastira teaching water safety and lifesaving sport history of Greek water safety and lifesaving sport. It is

through the program "Charlie the savior" and the composed of several thousands of photos,
documents, videos since 1880's.
project "Safe Greece". - The GLSA maintains at its Headquarters a large library.
- Participation in the World Water Day 2021 (July 15) that It contains hundreds of books, magazines on all
aspects of aquatics and lifesaving (water safety,
was held by the United Nations. lifesaving, lifeguarding, lifesaving sport, first aid,
- Creation of a public awareness campaign for the personal survival, drama, fiction, narratives,
shipwrecks, etc) from numerous countries.
International Water Safety Day – May 15. It was - We created and delivered a series of educational
endorsed by the Water Salvation, the Princess webinars for teaching lifesaving sport, first aid,
Charlene of Monaco Foundation, the Academy Society drowning prevention to water polo coaches.
and Sports, the Hellenic Navy Seals Association, the - The GLSA programs were used by the Municipality of
Hellenic Olympic Winners Association and the Hellenic
Olympians Association, the Foundation Sciacca, the West Lesvos' project “We are
International Water Safety Foundation and the Islanders” and by the Nautical Club Laberou's “22nd
International Institute of Finance, Social and Law Round of Lake Plastira”.
Studies. - Established a series of GLSA awards to honor
- Creation of a public awareness campaign for the World outstanding contributions to lifesaving sport,
Drowning Prevention Day – July 25. It was endorsed by drowning prevention for individuals and teams
the Water Salvation, the Princess Charlene of Monaco (Lifetime Achievements Award; Organization of the
Foundation, the Hellenic Water Polo Coaches Year Award; Medal of Honor, Rescue Award; Fair Play
Association, the Hellenic Navy Seals Association, the Award; Memorial Award Prof. Dimitris Hatziharistos;
Hellenic Olympic Winners Association and the Hellenic Award Lucas Bistarakis; Male Athlete of the Year- Bob
Olympians Association. Burnside Memorial Award; Female Athlete of the Year
- Orchestration of the Greek Lifesaving Cup 2o21. – Panagiotis Nastos Memorial Award; Young Male
- The GLSA Education Committee currently prepares a Athlete of the Year; Young Female Athlete of the Year;
national award scheme of water safety and lifesaving Volunteer Awards).
sport that will educate people of any age, ability and
affiliation.