SWIM FOR GOOD

2 years, 84km & 7 locations – #SwimForGood

This June, we jumped into the water in seven locations and swam a total of 84km.

Locations around the world helped us create waves for humanity as they took a dive to raise awareness about the situation for displaced people in Europe!

What is the Swim For Good?

An international swim event where we challenge teams around the world to swim 12km with us! The same distance that more than 10.000 people take yearly from Turkey to Lesvos, crossing the Aegean Sea in search for a better life and safety.

Why Swim 12km?

We advocate for safe passageways for displaced people and a humane reception of migrants in Europe! The Swim for Good aims to raise awareness about the journey, highlight the resilience of displaced people as well as to stand in solidarity with those who have lost their lives in search for a better future.

Alaa Maso swimming in 2023 - 12km cross border swim for good!

Swim For Good 2023

In August 2023, our ambassador and Olympic Refugee swimmer, Alaa Maso, completed the first Swim For Good when he swam 12km from Lausanne (Switzerland) to Evian (France). Alaa is from a Syrian athlete that compete for the Refugee Olympic Team in the 2020 Olympics in 50m freestyle. The swim brought awareness to those taking the high-risk journey to reach the EU in search of safety.

The swim was followed live; we streamed the event, so that our community all over the world could participate!

Swim For Good 2024

In 2024, we joined forces with Olympic Swimmer Becky Crowe to advocate for displaced people, show their strengths and create waves for humanity in Europe!

On 29th June 2024, our students, coaches, coordinators, volunteers and supporters, along with Yusra Mardini herself, took on a 12km swim in the same waters where everyday people risk their lives in search of safety.

Yusra Mardini Foundation (YMF)

Along with our champion and inspiration, Becky Crowe, we were thrilled to be joined by Yusra Mardini and Sven Spannekrebs from the Yusra Mardini Foundation (YMF)! Yusra and Sven both pulled their swimsuits on and jumped in the water in Lesvos to reach the total of 12km.

Global support

By nature, the Swim for Good is designed to include anyone, from anywhere in the world! As long as you have a body of water (closed or open), you can support us in our mission to bring solidarity to those crossing unsafe stretches of water to seek asylum. Various other communities and teams supported the 2024 S4G, check them out below! Alternatively pull on your swimwear and start training to join us and make waves in 2025!

Locations 2024

Lesvos

On Lesvos, we jumped into the water with 54 swimmers. We are incredibly proud of the swimmers who joined from our swim program and had just learned to swim in the previous weeks. Furthermore, we were thrilled to have Yusra Mardini, personally join the swim on the island!

Athens

The team in the Greek capital swam the 12km distance on Edem beach with 11 courageous swimmers.

They were especially happy to see local greek beach-goers spontaneously join the quest to accomplish the 12km as a team!

Paris

The Paris team swam in a pool with 15 swimmers, ranging from professionals, amateurs to beginners.

It was amazing to see so many people from different cultures come together. A special thank you to Zaki for his amazing motivation!

Lausanne

For the second year in a row, Olympian swimmers crossed the Swiss-French border honoring the Swim For Good.

A team of 8 led by Olympians Anne-Sophie Thilo, Sabine Hazboun and Jamie Yeung accomplished the 12km open water swim.

Bordeaux

Our friends from Bordeaux Break Borders, a sister project, dedicated to empower displaced people through sport, joined forces with us and swam the 12km in Lake Bordeaux with 15 people.

Copenhagen

Christine Christensen from Copenwater in Denmark, swam the 12km in open water and as a relay with 3 other strong women!

Kampala

The talented swimmers from the Aqua Ankii Swim Club in Kampala Uganda, swam the relay as a team in two training sessions of 6km each.

UTS Asia Team

United Through Sport joined the Swim For Good in Asia and swam 12km accross many cities!

Join us in 2025!

What to consider…

Team

Decide on who you will accomplish the swim of 12km: You can either swim solo or with a team!

Water

Choose the body of water in which you will swim: this can be a pool, lake, river or the sea!

Safety

Make sure that you have supporters, such as a lifeguard or medic, to ensure your safety for the swim! Prepare with the appropriate equipment (goggles!)

Crowd

Engage your friends to support you (and your team) on the big day! Share on social media and help us make big waves in solidarity of displaced people!

Support our Swim Program on Lesvos!

Every summer we run a swim program on Lesvos, helping displaced people living in the camp, re-connect with water. We are in urgent need of a new van, to be able to successfully run the project again in 2025. Donate directly and empower us to build happier and healthier communities through the power of sport!