The "Free Waves" swimming rehabilitation project started in Zaporizhzhia in July 2024. As part of it, war veterans and active military personnel are engaged free of charge according to the method of the Olympic swimming medallist Denys Silantiev.
To improve not only physical but also mental health, psychologists are now joining the "Free Waves" project.
"The first time, the boys did not really open up because they doubted whether I would actually swim and train with them. I promised them I would come and work with them in the water. Now I have a small group of 5-6 people, and I lead them. We have consultations both before and after swimming, and we discuss everything that concerns or interests the boys. I can see that water really helps relieve stress, improve sleep, and develop joints. This is very good, and I would certainly like the project to expand," says Yulia LEVYTSKA, psychologist for the "Free Waves" project.
Veterans welcome this innovation, as they admit that sometimes they really do want to talk to a specialist about their concerns.
One of the project participants is war veteran Hryhoriy Tsurkin. He has been attending swimming rehabilitation sessions within the "Free Waves" project since summer 2024 and sees noticeable results from the sessions thanks to his trainer.
"I thought I knew everything because I had been swimming in the Kakhovka Reservoir all my life – we called it a sea. But when I came here, the trainer said: 'You are not breathing correctly, and you are not doing those movements right.' But gradually it started working out. I learned to breathe and to move properly. So I am very satisfied," says the veteran.
Mr Hryhoriy is also pleased that now, within the project, one can not only recover physically but also talk to a specialist about what is troubling them.
"A psychologist is absolutely brilliant. Even strong people sometimes fall into despair. That is exactly when you need a psychologist, and it does not matter whether it is a man or a woman. What matters is when there is someone nearby who can provide you with the help you need in a specific situation, not just have a chat about nothing," shared Mr Hryhoriy.
It should be noted that the "Free Waves" project has been implemented by the public organization "Zaporizhzhia. Joint Action Platform" with the financial support of Metinvest in coordination with Zaporizhstal Iron and Steel Works. All sessions for soldiers and veterans are completely free. Currently, the program for restoring the health of military and veterans has been extended until the end of 2025.
"Our goal is to create comfortable conditions for veterans so they come, feel at home, and stay – and the psychologist helps with this. Some people have complexes, flaws, or other concerns. The psychologist will help eliminate all of this so that our defenders continue their sessions and encourage others to come here. This will also help veterans recover as quickly as possible not only physically but also psychologically," shared Denys SILANTIEV.
Free rehabilitation swimming sessions according to the method of the Olympic medalist Denis Sylantiev are held three times a week. To start training, it is enough to provide a document confirming their combatant status.
