The Free Waves swimming rehabilitation project had 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 medalist in swimming Denys Sylantiev. The effectiveness of such rehabilitation amazed everyone, so the project continues.
"When our partners saw how effective the result was, how much our project helps in rehabilitation, how many military personnel join us, it was decided to extend it at least until the end of the year in both Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih.
We want to expand – to cover more cities, to add swimming pools, because there are really a lot of people who want to join the project. These are not only veterans who come for a few days, and in 5-6 days they need to recover and continue their service," said Denys SYLANTIEV.
During the existence of the Free Waves project, many veterans and active military personnel have undergone rehabilitation. Some attend sessions regularly, others attend only when the service allows. And someone accidentally found out about them and immediately decided to try it, like the serviceman Andriy.
Mr. Andriy is an active military medic. He says that he will not be in the city for long, but he will definitely attend as many classes as he can.
"I accidentally saw a billboard advertising the project in the city. I called – and I was invited, the next day I was already at training. I love swimming, I used to practice in this pool, but that was already 30 years ago.
Now I want to improve my health, I had contusions there, although not severe. Once I fell down on my shoulder and got injured, now I have arthrosis, I need to work it, that is, I constantly need physical activity," Andriy shared.
For the first time, 39-year-old Mr. Oleksandr is also in rehabilitation. He came to training with his sworn brother.
"I learned about the project from my sworn brother. We used to serve in the same unit. I am now undergoing treatment, and I learned that here you can recover, put yourself in order. So I came with him today. After the session, I feel that my strength returns. It's very cool that the military and veterans can recover like this. It is important to get in shape, because a lot depends on it, and for the military it is generally necessary," Oleksandr shared.
It should be noted that the Free Waves project had 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.
"In our sessions, people are in a completely different environment – this is weightlessness. Water removes all negativity, it allows the muscles to reduce the load and at the same time restore the mobility of joints, muscles, and strengthen them. It is impossible to create such conditions for recovery anywhere, except in water," Denys Sylantiev shared.
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 the combatant status.
