Free swimming lessons are held three times a week for the defenders of Ukraine.
In mid-July, with the support of Metinvest and Zaporizhstal, a Free Waves rehabilitation project for war veterans and military personnel was launched in Zaporizhzhia. The methodology was developed by Olympic medallist, Zaporizhzhia athlete and public figure Denis Silantiev.
"The project helps to restore psychological and physical strength through swimming. It has no contraindications. Swimming is recommended for people with all disabilities. After all, there is no stress on the spine, joints and everything else in the water," says Denis SILANTIEV.
The aim of the Free Waves program is to normalize health conditions and support physical, psychological, and health rehabilitation of war veterans and military personnel through swimming activities.
The project will include 48 training sessions with 100 veterans in Zaporizhzhia. The training programme includes adaptation techniques developed by Denis Silantiev. The programme is coached by Serhii Proniaev, honoured swimming coach of Ukraine.
One of those undergoing rehabilitation through swimming as part of the project is Mykhailo Pitiukov, a war veteran and employee of Zaporizhstal. Mykhailo has a serious injury to both legs that he received during the liberation of Bucha back in 2022.
Mykhailo has already undergone rehabilitation and returned to civilian life. Swimming lessons, he says, are a powerful step on the way to full recovery.
"We were hit by a mortar, and I was injured - both bones were fractured, a mine blast injury. I underwent rehabilitation, and now I'm feeling a little better, it's easier to move my leg, but I still have pain in my legs and back. The plant offered me to take part in this project. And I agreed - this is exactly what I needed. I can already see how my condition has improved after the swimming lessons - both physically and mentally. So, I plan to go to the swimming pool after the project is over,’ says Mykhailo.
Free Waves is an initiative implemented by NGO "Zaporizhzhia. Platform for Joint Action" with the financial support of Metinvest in coordination with Zaporizhstal.
The pilot will be expanded to Kryvyi Rih in the future. In total, up to 400 veterans and servicemen are expected to take part in the training sessions in the two cities. The classes will be free of charge for the programme participants, with Metinvest Group covering all costs. Barrier-free access to training is provided by mobile lifts purchased as part of the programme. The total funding for the first pilot season amounted to almost UAH 1.3 million.
"We launched this project in Zaporizhzhia, and we will soon do it in Kryvyi Rih, and are working on expanding it to other cities. We have already been approached from Lutsk, Vinnytsia and other cities, as they also have the same needs to work with veterans," says Denis Silantiev.
As a reminder, Denis Silantiev's project ‘Physical Rehabilitation of Children through Swimming’ for orphans, internally displaced persons and children from military families was held in Zaporizhzhia in 2022-2023 with the financial support of Metinvest Group and in partnership with Zaporizhstal. As part of the project, 400 children attended training sessions, and after rehabilitation, they learned different swimming styles and experienced an improvement in their mental state.
