The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, working alongside its ambassador and world rescue champion Stéphanie Barneix, organised the third consecutive edition of the Water Safety Days in the Landes department from 8th to 10th September.
Across three days of targeted awareness campaigns in Léon, Vielle-Saint-Girons, and Arjuzanx, 288 children learned vital water safety skills and how to handle risks around aquatic environments.
Bringing water safety to the Landes
The campaign kicked off in Léon on Tuesday 8th September, where 121 primary school pupils from CM1 and CM2 classes gathered for intensive safety instruction. The following day shifted to Vielle-Saint-Girons, drawing 105 children aged six to ten for an open-enrollment session. The final stretch took place on Thursday 10th September in Arjuzanx, where 62 pupils participated, with several successfully earning their official Pass Nautique certification.
Bridging recreation and survival
For Barneix and the Foundation teams, the goal goes beyond simple swimming lessons. The curriculum is built to bridge the gap between recreational swimming and survival instinct. Each morning began with kit distribution and thorough briefings before transitioning into hands-on workshops designed to simulate real-world aquatic hazards.
Participants experienced a mix of practical self-rescue techniques and team-building exercises, reinforced by the presence of elite athletes and professional lifeguards. One of the standout moments for the children involved watching a professional helicopter rescue demonstration, offering a rare glimpse into the complex machinery and split-second coordination required during a real water emergency.
Building confidence and community values
Beyond the technical skills of floating, treading water, and signalling for help, organisers aimed to instill broader values. Instructors used sports discipline, mutual aid, and personal responsibility as pillars to help children build confidence in and around the water.
As the 2026 edition draws to a close, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has cemented its footprint in the Landes, leaving behind hundreds of better-equipped children and a network of local authorities, partners, and safety professionals committed to keeping the region’s waters safe.
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Photo Credit: Jérémie Gabrien