ΕΠΙΚΑΙΡΟΤΗΤΑ

Panagiotis Nastos: “Father” of Swimming – Pioneer of Rescue and Lifesaving Sport in Greece

 

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Panagiotis Nastos: “Father” of Swimming – Pioneer of Rescue and Lifesaving Sport in Greece


Greece 2026. The Greek Lifesaving Sports Association proudly presents the book “Panagiotis Nastos” that was endorsed by international organizations.


“A great splash in the Greek swimming history.”
Dr Bill Kent
Chairman, International Swimming Hall of Fame
 
"A wonderful flashback on Greece's history of swimming and lifesaving sport."
Dr Harald Vervaecke
Secretary General, International Life Saving Federation
 
“A wonderful read for everyone interested in the history of swimming and in keeping people safe”
Steven Munatones
Co-Founder, World Open Water Swimming Foundation



At the beginning of the 20th century, drownings were claiming countless lives in Greece. One man stood tall against indifference and ignorance. Panagiotis Nastos, a pharmacist in Piraeus, dared to dream of something no one had ever thought of until then: to establish the first swimming school in Greece.

Long before rescue and swimming became essential, he offered his fellow citizens a vision: to learn how to swim, to protect themselves, and to save others. With passion, he carried the weight of a mission that went beyond his time, claiming for Piraeus, Athens, Faliro, and Greece a place in the pantheon of humanity.




The path of pioneering is always difficult. Nastos faced suspicion, indifference, and obstacles. Yet, his work sowed the seed of a new perception. His example endowed us with the greatness of courage and solidarity. Greece would not surrender passively to the dangers of the sea, but would embrace it with knowledge so that we could enjoy it.



The school did not last long. Yet, his work rightfully ranks him among the unsung heroes who opened a window of hope for the future of swimming, rescue, and lifesaving sport.

Dear reader, after 9 years of research and writing, I deliver this book to you with joy and a sense of duty, so that you may learn who Panagiotis Nastos was. The book is available here.



Author is Dr. Stathis Avramidis, Hall of Fame honoree, officer of the National Public Health Organization, Teacher of Applied Lifeguarding and Lifesaving Sport in Athens University, President of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association and Secretary General of the Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation.




The book is endorsed by these organizations: International Swimming Hall of Fame, International Life Saving Federation, European Lifesaving Federation, International Federation of Swimming Teachers' Association, Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation, World Open Water Swimming Federation, Hellenic Olympic Winners Association.