WOW
Wave on Wave

The number of people actively participating in sports or engaging in other physical activities is decreasing every year. The latest research indicates that approximately 43% of people in the active age group (18–55 years) do not engage in any sport, and only 7% of people participate in some form of sport daily. The reasons cited for not engaging in physical activities include a lack of time, dislike of sports, and health conditions. Several studies focusing on how young people spend their free time reveal that most prefer activities involving computers, smartphones, and social media. It is also worth noting that water sports are not as popular in Slovakia compared to sports such as cycling, running, or skating. The main objective of the “WoW” (Wave on Wave) project is to promote physical activity through water sports, increase the number of people practicing water sports, and reduce the inactivity rate among young people.

Additional goals of the project include:

– Enhancing the accessibility of water sports and reducing barriers that limit equal opportunities, social inclusion, and promoting the principle of “sports for all.”
– Reducing early dropout rates among children and young people practicing water sports by introducing innovative teaching methods.
– Improving the perception of the role of water sports in educating young people through new forms of cooperation among various civil society actors.
– Strengthening the skills of coaches in organizing and managing activities and events within water sports associations to enhance their role as professional providers of personal services.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

Kick-off meeting held from March 8–10, 2017, in Pesaro, Italy. All aspects of the project were discussed and planned with partners.

Meeting in Nancy, France from May 29 to June 1, 2017. During this meeting, ideas, challenges, experiences, and best practices related to water sports, water sports management, and various teaching and methodological approaches were shared.Participants included water sports coaches (sailing, rowing, canoeing, swimming, diving, etc.), educators, psychologists, representatives of local governments responsible for sports development, and project managers. Topics of discussion included:

• Accessibility of water sports by reducing barriers (equipment/economic challenges/social inclusion) and creating a safer sports environment.
• Experiences in organizing and managing activities in water sports associations to improve their role as community service providers.
• Strategies to reduce early dropout rates in water sports through innovative teaching methods.
• Incorporating water sports more actively into schools and youth education.

The outcomes and recommendations from the first meeting helped define strategies and proposals implemented during a summer camp for children.

Summer camp for children from August 20–25 in Getxo, Spain (six children aged 10–14 from Slovakia, two coaches, and two youth workers). This was an intercultural exchange and pilot action to implement and evaluate methodologies and approaches developed during the previous meeting.

Local activities in each country – Mapping the local sports ecosystem, conducting research among local sports associations and public health organizations with a focus on water sports, and hosting promotional events to share project results and engage in water sports.

Meeting in Varna, Bulgaria (March 6–9, 2018).

Summer camp for children in Pesaro, Italy (August 20–27, 2018). Video available here: YouTube Video.

Final conference (November 2018, exact date to be determined).

Official project website: http://waveonwaveproject.eu/
More photos from the project: Facebook Album

SSO worked on project together with ADEL Slovakia.