Antonio Silva, President of European Aquatics, has praised the “monumental” achievement of launching the European Aquatics Academy’s new Digital Education Platform, which hosted its first clinic this weekend.
At the launch of the three-day online Open Water Swimming clinic for judges and officials, President Silva highlighted the importance of education in upholding and improving the integrity of aquatic sports. He also recognised the hard work of the technical committee in organising the event.
“This platform is a major step forward for European Aquatics,” Silva said to the 58 participants from across Europe. “It reflects our commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and the ongoing development of our community.”
Daniel Marinho, project manager of the European Aquatics Academy, added: “This clinic was the first event on our new education platform. It was a successful workshop that brought together officials from all over Europe. A special thanks to the technical committee and lecturers Andreas Prayer and Bastian Esefeld for their support and enthusiasm.”
The clinic covered a detailed agenda on officiating.
Day one focused on the key roles of officials, such as the Course Officer, Starter, Clerk of Course, Referee, Chief Referee, and Safety Officer. These sessions highlighted the responsibilities and teamwork needed to run events smoothly.
Day two covered race management and rule compliance, including infringements, disqualifications, protests, and how European Aquatics rules are applied.
The final day focused on practical skills, including timing and placing procedures, supported by examples and self-study. The programme ended with a referee test to reinforce the participants’ understanding.
The clinic was led by expert lecturers Andreas Prayer and Bastian Esefeld, whose engaging teaching methods helped participants apply both theory and practical knowledge.
This first clinic highlighted the potential of the Academy’s Digital Education Platform, which aims to transform education in aquatic sports. The platform provides live webinars, interactive modules, and on-demand resources for flexible professional development.
The successful clinic shows the Academy’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in aquatic sports. As the Academy continues to grow, the Open Water Officials Clinic is a key step in developing the skills of officials and improving open water swimming across Europe. For more information on future courses, visit eaacademy.eu.
