Delivered by World Aquatics’ experts, the training course aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Discover Water programme and the responsibilities of Country Leads, guide the development of a structured curriculum, and equip participants with the skills to train and support local educators.

Launched on World Drowning Day 2024 ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the innovative programme offers a range of educational tools to enable young children from around the world to safely embrace aquatics sports and learn vital skills in an engaging manner.

Discover Water takes a collaborative approach with World Aquatics’ Members to executing activations, and the training course in Malawi was a key milestone in implementing the programme on the African continent.

Country Leads nominated by their National Federations enjoyed a range of interactive sessions, including discussions on the importance of developing physical literacy, planning for implementation of Discover Water Programme locally, identifying key partners, and building a national educators learning community.

In addition, the event concluded with the opportunity for the Country Leads to practise implementing Discover Water activities in Malawi, with 50 children aged between six and 12 learning about water safety, the environment and the Olympic values.

One of the most famous names in open water swimming, three-time Olympian Leonie Beck understands as well as anyone the life-changing impact that developing aquatic literacy at an early age can have.

“What made me love the water was I grew up with my siblings in the swimming pool in a sports team. Now I spend so much time in the water and I can really let my mind run free when I’m swimming, and this is something I really appreciate,” she reflected.

Beck was in attendance in Malawi to learn more about the Discover Water programme, and to promote water safety and participation in aquatic sports – two topics which are close to her heart.  She shared her experience and expertise with Country Leads as part of the training course, and wants to use her platform to give back to the global aquatics community and make a powerful impact on young people.

“As a swimmer, I am really happy to be part of the Discover Water programme. I think it is very important that everyone has the chance to learn swimming. This sport is such a great sport – it gives you so many skills you can have for the rest of your life, so it is always nice to participate,” Beck said.

“The experts who delivered the course, Viv Holt and Sven Spannekrebs, facilitated learning in an interactive and participation-based manner in order to develop the necessary skills of Country Leads to implement the Discover Water programme in their countries.”

Beck additionally highlighted that the vital role of World Aquatics and the global aquatics family through the Discover Water programme in helping to reduce the risk of drowning globally.

“The Discover Water programme not only provides the skills to teach children to swim, but also helps to develop an understanding on how to act in different bodies of water. The conditions are completely different if you are in a pool, the sea, a lake or a river,” she said.

“It is really important that the children understand that nature can act in a way you do not expect, and it can be really dangerous if you do not learn how to act with the current or waves, for example.

“I think everyone should have the possibility to learn swimming in a fun way. It is one of the most important things to prevent drowning.”

The training course in Malawi brought together Country Leads from across the continent, and they unanimously appreciated the opportunity to work with World Aquatics, meet with their peers, exchange knowledge and learn as a group.

“Meeting other Country Leads and not just individuals from my country was very important and it was such an eye-opener, because I got to learn about different situations and different countries. Some countries are advanced in certain areas we are not, and some countries I could share what we do in our country to help solve issues,” Puni Gaetsewe from Botswana commented.

Johathan Amoako-Atta from Ghana concurred, adding: “Having participants from various countries in Africa is good for all. I have colleagues I can rely on for further explanation or information, and we can help each other through listening.

“I really think having a well-rounded base gives you strength and the ability to enjoy what you are doing, and this goes beyond even swimming.”

The training allowed the participants to gain a greater understanding of the Discover Water programme, and provided important learnings to each of the Country Leads. This will enhance the delivery of Discover Water in their respective countries.

Gaetsewe reflected: “Physical literacy is important in the swimming sense, but it’s not just swimming. What I loved is that it’s the development of the whole being.

“I learned how to engage with kids and how to approach learning in a holistic manner. The teachings stay with them for life, and it’s lovely that from a very young age you start learning about other aspects of your lives.”

The focus on physical literacy in the training course was also appreciated by Amoako-Atta.

“This is the first time I am understanding physical literacy and the importance of having a well-rounded programme – not just the development of the physical skills, but it allowed us to understand how cognitive, social and psychological aspects can be developed through swimming. It is a very good base for children to learn and enjoy water, and ultimately bind themselves to be part of aquatics activities for life,” he said.

To support the implementation of Discover Water, World Aquatics developed a toolkit which includes activity sheets, guidance on programme development, observation and evaluation methods, and training guidance for local educators.

The launch of Discover Water followed research and extensive consultations with World Aquatics’ experts and partners to develop a programme which capitalises on the aquatics community’s unique position to promote water safety.

World Aquatics continues to make progress on working collaboratively with National Federations and implementing the programme globally.

Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships
Sat. May 10th and Sun. May 11th | New Haven, Conn. 
Live Results | ESPN+ | Schedule
 
PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton women’s track and field program will chase a historic third Triple Crown this weekend at the 2025 Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships, to be hosted by Yale in New Haven, Conn. 
 
After winning the 2024 Ivy cross country title last fall and the 2025 indoor Ivy championship this past winter, the Tigers will look to claim the outdoor title to complete their first Triple Crown since 2011. 
 
A Successful Outdoor Season 
The Tigers have had a strong outdoor season to date, building on the momentum they’ve accumulated all year. 
 
Three Tigers have set new program records this season, while many others have come close, landing themselves on the top-10 record book. 
 
Tessa Mudd broke the school record in the pole vault at the Virginia Challenge, where she cleared 4.40m/14′ 5.25″. 
 
At home in Weaver Stadium, Mena Scatchard ran the 5000m in just 15:48.24 at the Sam Howell Invitational to set a new program record. 
 
Also at Sam Howell, Adelaide Asante ran a 23.66 200m to break the program record by one hundredth of a second. 
 
Hannah Riggins is less than one second off from a new record in the 800, as the sophomore bumped up to second at the Larry Ellis Invitational last weekend with a time of 2:03.24.

Angela McAuslan-Kelly has been knocking on the door in the hammer throw, as she threw 64.78m/212′ 6″ to take second all-time at Larry Ellis. 

 

National Notice

Princeton is well represented on the current NCAA qualifying list. 

 

Georgina Scoot currently ranks 10th nationally in the triple jump with her mark of 13.35m/43′ 9.75″ from the Texas A&M 44 Farms Invite. She also ranks 10th in the long jump after clearing 6.49m/21′ 3.5″ at UVA. 

 

Shea Greene ranks 14th in the country in the javelin after throwing 54.22m/177′ 11″ at 44 Farms.

 

Mudd’s pole vault record is 20th in the nation. 

 

Scatchard’s 1500 time of 4:11.56 from Larry Ellis last weekend puts her at 25th in the country, while Riggins’s 800 time ranks 30th. 

 

McAuslan-Kelly’s hammer throw from last weekend currently ranks 30th nationally. 

 

Last Time Around

At last year’s outdoor Heps, the Tigers narrowly finished second as the title came down to the meet’s final event. 

 

The Tigers scored the 6th highest point total in Ivy History and crushed the Princeton record for the most points at a Heps meet, with a final score of 184. The most points at a Heps meet previously sat at 170.

 

In the fall, Princeton won its first cross country title since 2015. In the winter, the Tigers repeated their success with their first indoor championship win since 2011. 

 

Princeton won the Triple Crown in 1981 and 2011, and will now chase its historic third as the Tigers head up to New Haven this weekend.

 

 

 

The Indian River High School boys’ volleyball team dropped three close sets to Henlopen Conference rival Cape Henlopen on Monday, May 5.

The visiting Indians lost 25-23, 25-22 and 25-20, and fell to 9-4 overall and 5-4 in conference play.

Junior Jason Harpel-Rickards contributed 37 assists to the victory for Cape (8-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play). Senior Bryce Patterson added 12 digs, while junior Lawson Whaley provided 10 kills and 10 digs, and junior Ryder Van Horn added 10 digs.

“It was a very frustrating match,” said Indians head coach Mike Markovic. “Cape is a good team with a number of outstanding players. We started strong but couldn’t maintain any long point-scoring runs. All the matches were very close, and we did manage to even things up after we fell behind. But we weren’t able to establish an effective block against their better hitters. We could meet up with them again in the DIAA state playoffs, and we need to be prepared.”

Indian River 3, MOT Charter 0

The Indians returned to the win column against visiting MOT Charter on Friday, May 2.

IRHS won the non-conference match in straight sets by the scores of 25-23, 25-21 and 25-16.

Senior outside hitter Johnny Di Carlo led the Indians with 18 kills and added 13 digs, or saves. Junior setter Zach Hirn contributed 34 assists, and senior libero Evan Forjan added 14 digs. Junior outside hitter Amor Townsend contributed nine digs and seven kills.

Caesar Rodney 3, Indian River 1

The Indians became the first team to win even a single set against undefeated Henlopen Conference rival Caesar Rodney on Thursday, May 1.

However, the visiting Riders (13-0) remained undefeated, with a 3-1 triumph that snapped the Indians’ six-game winning streak. Caesar Rodney won the first two sets by scores of 25-22 and 25-17, respectively. After the Indians won set three by a 25-18 tally, the Riders closed things out with a 25-10 triumph.

Carlo led the Indians with 16 kills and 15 digs, while Hirn contributed 26 assists, 10 digs and seven kills. Forjan added 10 digs, and junior outside hitter Amor Townsend provided nine kills and nine digs.

The Riders, who entered the match with 36 consecutive set victories, were led by senior middle blocker Jamal Alsadrani’s 11 kills and 10 more by senior outside hitter Xylord Martin.