GLSA Represents Greece in the 
World Drowning Prevention Day Recap

The Greek Lifesaving Sports Association (GLSA) was the only organisation representing Greece in the World Health Organization’s World Drowning Prevention Day (WDPD) recap video, presenting two Greek initiatives with a shared message: local action can achieve international impact.

The first was the screening of Eagle’s Rebirth, the documentary telling the extraordinary life story of Pantelis Avramidis, World Masters Lifesaving Champion. During the World Drowning Prevention Day period, the film received First Prize at the Sestriere Sport Film Festival in Italy, selected from 1,435 submissions representing 37 countries. Its story demonstrates how perseverance, sport and lifesaving can inspire audiences far beyond national borders.

The second initiative was the landmark publication Life-guardians’ Encyclopedia, a major historical work documenting 45 centuries of drowning prevention, rescue and treatment. The publication was dedicated to two legendary figures portrayed in the WDPD video: Dr Harald Vervaecke, one of the fathers of the International Life Saving Federation, and Greg Bonann, creator of the television series Baywatch. The author, Dr Stathis Avramidis, was also featured.

Through sport, education, research, culture and international cooperation, GLSA continues to promote drowning prevention and lifesaving throughout Greece and abroad. World Drowning Prevention Day, observed each year on 25 July, is an important opportunity to remind communities that drowning is preventable—and that awareness, training, safe behaviour and collective action can save lives.