Around 50 children have graduated from the ‘Sospel Natation Azur’ learn-to-swim programme backed by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and included in their school curriculum.
The project, initiated in 2022 and supported by the Foundation in partnership with the city of Sospel and the PACA League of the French Swimming Federation (FFN), aims to teach swimming as part of the school curriculum to children in the city as well as in the municipalities of Breil-sur-Roya and Moulinet.
This year, the project’s duration had been extended to include the month of June, allowing nearly 400 children from kindergarten to 6ème to acquire the minimum skills necessary for water safety and to take the ‘Sauv’Nage’ test approved by the French Swimming School and the FFN.
On Thursday 28th September, more than 50 children from the CE2, CM1 and CM2 classes of the Sospel school participated in their last swimming lessons of the season, supervised by certified lifeguards from the FFN and holders of a State Diploma in aquatic activities and swimming.
Certificates of participation, FFN medals, and swim caps in the colours of the Foundation were awarded to each child in the presence of Gareth Wittstock, Secretary-General of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, Remi Besson, Member of the Management Committee of the PACA League of the FFN, and Jean-Mario Lorenzi, Mayor of Sospel.
‘Sospel Natation Azur’ is an important local project for the Foundation, whose main mission is to enhance aquatic education to prevent drowning.
It complements the project ‘La Turbie Natation Azur’ at the Princess Charlene Municipal Pool in La Turbie, which in June 2023 also allowed 310 children aged between four and 10 to receive swimming lessons at different levels, certifying their ability to stay safe in the water.
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Main photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace