Project Partners

coordinator:

Project Coordinator: Croatia

Klub daljinskog plivanja Primorje / Open Water Swimming Club Primorje (OWSCP)

PIC: 922262421

Klub daljinskog plivanja Primorje / Open Water Swimming Club Primorje is a Croatian non-profit sport organisation based in Rijeka, Croatia, specialised in distance swimming, marathon swimming and open water swimming. The Club was founded on 13 March 2010 and operates as a sport association with legal personality, in accordance with Croatian legislation on associations and sport.

The Club is active in the development and promotion of distance and marathon swimming as a recognised sport discipline, as well as in the improvement of swimming skills, swimming techniques, psychomotor abilities and participation of recreational swimmers in competitions and recreational swimming activities. Its work combines sport development, recreation, health promotion, volunteering and safe participation in aquatic environments.

OWSCP is affiliated with the Croatian open water swimming structure and is part of the wider local aquatic and sport environment in Rijeka. Through its activities, the Club contributes to the visibility and development of open water swimming at local, national and international level.

Since its foundation, the Club has organised numerous open water swimming events, including events within the Kvarner Pliva series, pool-based open water swimming events and major open water swimming competitions. It has also been involved in the organisation of international open water swimming activities, including European-level events and Erasmus+ Sport projects focused on open water swimming, safety, inclusion and youth participation.

Particularly relevant for the OWS4ALL project is the Club’s extensive experience in planning, organising and implementing open water swimming activities in real aquatic environments. This includes event preparation, route planning, swimmer registration, safety coordination, cooperation with local authorities and sport stakeholders, communication with participants, dissemination and post-event reporting.

Within the OWS4ALL project, Klub daljinskog plivanja Primorje acts as the project coordinator. The project promotes safe, visible and inclusive participation in open water swimming for persons with disabilities and other participants who require adapted support. The coordinator is responsible for the overall project management, coordination of partners, communication, administrative implementation, dissemination, reporting and organisation of key project activities in Croatia.

The project includes preparatory pool-based activities, cooperation with Slovenian partners and implementation of inclusive open water swimming activities connected with the Cres swimming event and the Valun–Cres swimming marathon, organised in memory of Florio Burburan, a swimmer with a disability and an important symbol of inclusion in open water swimming.

The activities of Klub daljinskog plivanja Primorje comprise:

Organisation of open water swimming events and competitions
Promotion of distance and marathon swimming
Swimming training in pool and open water environments
Recreational swimming activities for different groups of swimmers
Safety-oriented preparation of swimmers for open water participation
Cooperation with local, national and international sport stakeholders
Implementation and coordination of Erasmus+ Sport projects
Dissemination, visibility and communication activities related to open water swimming

Since its foundation, Klub daljinskog plivanja Primorje has been active in:

Development of open water swimming in Croatia
Organisation of the Kvarner Pliva open water swimming series
Organisation and support of the Valun–Cres swimming marathon
Promotion of safe participation in open water swimming
Development of swimming events for recreational and competitive swimmers
Cooperation with sport clubs, federations, local authorities and volunteers
Participation in European projects related to open water swimming, inclusion and safety

Particularly, Klub daljinskog plivanja Primorje contributes to the OWS4ALL project through its experience in:

Overall project coordination and partner management
Organisation of inclusive open water swimming events
Safety planning and coordination in open water environments
Practical implementation of swimming activities in pool and sea conditions
Promotion of open water swimming as an inclusive and accessible sport
Dissemination and visibility of project results
Connecting persons with disabilities, assistants, swimmers, volunteers and local sport stakeholders through open water swimming

partners:

Project Partner 2: Slovenia

Športno društvo Plavalna akademija Rok Kerin / Sport Club Swim Academy Rok Kerin (SARK)

PIC: 900715132

Športno društvo Plavalna akademija Rok Kerin is a Slovenian sport organisation active in the field of swimming, water-based activities, swimming education and open water swimming. The organisation is based in Krško, Slovenia, and operates swimming programmes in several locations, including Terme Čatež and the Olympic Centre Novo mesto.

The Swim Academy was founded and developed by Rok Kerin, a former elite long-distance swimmer, multiple Slovenian national champion and national team member in open water swimming. Rok Kerin has participated in European and World Championships and won a World Cup race in open water swimming, bringing high-level practical and competitive expertise into the work of the Academy.

The Academy provides swimming activities for different age groups and levels, including swimming school for children, swimming lessons, individual swimming coaching, swimming for adults, swimming for seniors, summer swimming camps, birthday activities at the pool and lifeguard training. Its programmes are based on a personal approach, smaller groups and quality implementation adapted to the needs, abilities and goals of each participant.

Particularly relevant for the OWS4ALL project is the Academy’s experience in open water swimming. Through its open water swimming programmes, the Academy teaches proper breathing, open water swimming technique, group swimming, body position, drinking during swimming, efficient strokes and orientation in open water. It also organises open water swimming clinics, combining theoretical and practical parts in pools and in open water environments such as rivers, lakes and the sea.

The Academy also has experience in safety-related swimming education and water rescue training. Its activities include lifeguard courses and swimming ability checks, which are directly connected to safe participation in water activities and the prevention of risks in aquatic environments.

Within the OWS4ALL project, Športno društvo Plavalna akademija Rok Kerin participates as a Slovenian project partner together with KDP Primorje and Društvo za cerebralno paralizo Sonček Posavje. The first introductory project activity was implemented on 9 May 2026 in Terme Čatež, where participants were introduced to the use of swimming buoys for safer, more visible and more independent movement and swimming in open water.

The activities of Športno društvo Plavalna akademija Rok Kerin comprise:

Swimming school for children and young people
Swimming programmes for adults and seniors
Individual swimming coaching
Open water swimming education and clinics
Swimming programmes in pools and open water environments
Lifeguard training and water safety education
Organisation of swimming-related activities, camps and events

Since its foundation, Športno društvo Plavalna akademija Rok Kerin has been active in:

Promotion of swimming as a lifelong sport and healthy lifestyle activity
Development of swimming skills for children, adults and seniors
Organisation of open water swimming activities and educational clinics
Participation in Erasmus+ Sport and other sport-related projects
Promotion of safe participation in aquatic and open water environments
Development of innovative, inclusive and health-oriented swimming programmes

Particularly, Športno društvo Plavalna akademija Rok Kerin contributes to the OWS4ALL project through its experience in:

Open water swimming training and methodology
Swimming technique and orientation in open water
Water safety and lifeguard-related education
Preparation of participants for safe open water swimming
Practical implementation of pool-based and open water activities
Supporting inclusive, visible and safe participation in open water swimming for all participants

Project Partner 3: Slovenia

Društvo za cerebralno paralizo Sonček Posavje / Sonček Posavje Cerebral Palsy Association

PIC: 882627542

Društvo za cerebralno paralizo Sonček Posavje is a Slovenian association working with persons with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, their families, professionals and local stakeholders. The association is based in Leskovec pri Krškem and is led by President Nataša Solomun. It operates within the wider Sonček network, which connects regional associations for cerebral palsy and promotes equal opportunities, inclusion and support for persons with disabilities. (Sonček)

Sonček Posavje promotes the integration of children, young people and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities into the wider social community, supporting their participation in everyday life, education, leisure, recreation and community-based activities. Its work is strongly focused on improving quality of life, strengthening independence and ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. (dobra-druzba.si)

The association carries out a wide range of therapeutic, recreational and social programmes, including therapeutic riding, therapeutic swimming, sports activities, medical-therapeutic colonies, active leisure time and dance activities for persons using wheelchairs. (Invalidska kartica)

Among other activities, Sonček Posavje is active in movement-based, creative and water-based programmes, including gymnastics, dance, riding, swimming, sound therapies and creative workshops. These activities support physical development, social interaction, confidence and inclusion of persons with disabilities in safe and adapted environments. (soncek-posavje.si)

Particularly relevant for the OWS4ALL project is the association’s experience in swimming and water-based activities. Sonček Posavje has experience with adapted swimming and swimming according to the Halliwick method, which supports participation in water activities, independent movement in water and swimming for persons with special needs. (Sonček)

Within the OWS4ALL project, Sonček Posavje participates as a Slovenian project partner together with KDP Primorje and Plavalna akademija Rok Kerin. The first introductory project activity was implemented on 9 May 2026 in Terme Čatež, where participants were introduced to the use of swimming buoys for safer, more visible and more independent movement and swimming in open water. (Posavskiobzornik.si)

The activities of Sonček Posavje comprise:

Providing support to persons with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families
Promoting social inclusion, equal opportunities and active participation in community life
Organising therapeutic, recreational, educational and leisure activities
Implementing adapted physical activities, including swimming and other water-based programmes
Cooperating with local institutions, schools, health professionals, associations and volunteers

Since its foundation, Sonček Posavje has been active in:

Development of programmes for children, young people and adults with disabilities
Organisation of therapeutic and recreational activities
Promotion of sport, movement and active leisure for persons with disabilities
Strengthening cooperation between families, professionals and the local community
Raising awareness about inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities

Particularly, Sonček Posavje contributes to the OWS4ALL project through its experience in:

Direct work with persons with cerebral palsy and other disabilities
Adaptation of activities to the needs and abilities of participants with disabilities
Water-based and swimming-related activities
Inclusion of families, assistants and support persons in project activities
Supporting safe, visible and inclusive participation in open water swimming activities