Water Safety Days 2025 return to the Landes with two days of awareness-raising events in Messanges and Léon

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation organised the 2nd Water Safety Days event in the Landes region on 11 and 12 June 2025, in partnership with the towns of Messanges and Léon. Two days of commitment to drowning prevention and water safety education.

On the morning of Wednesday 11 June, the beach at Messanges hosted the first phase of this 2025 event, which was open to all children from the surrounding area, who had to register in advance via an online platform. Leisure centres and families turned out in force to take part in this morning of awareness-raising and hands-on activities in the ocean environment.

The workshops, which were both educational and sporting, were led by Stéphanie Geyer Barneix, ambassador for the Princess Charlène of Monaco Foundation and world champion water rescuer, accompanied by her team of top sportsmen and women, including Jérôme Fernandez (handball player), who is also an ambassador for the Foundation. They were joined by lifeguards from the Landes region and teams from the courants d’Huchet nature reserve.

In all, 85 children took part in this morning of learning about safety at sea.

On the morning of Thursday 12 June, the workshops continued on the beach of Lac de Léon, in a format specially designed for CM1 and CM2 classes from villages far from bathing areas, who generally don’t have access to this type of teaching.

110 pupils were introduced to water safety in a natural and appropriate setting, supervised by teams from the Foundation, lifeguards and local professionals.

Over the two days, the children took part in a variety of workshops combining theory and practice:

– First aid and first aid techniques

– Knowledge of the local aquatic environment

– Water quality and waste management

– Quiz on sporting values

– Open water activities and swimming courses

– Use of rescue equipment

– Surf and tube rescue

– Situational exercises and swimming observation

– Helicopter and/or jetski rescue demonstration.

Through these Water Safety Days, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, with the support of its partner municipalities and local stakeholders, is reaffirming its commitment to drowning prevention, aquatic education and protection of the marine environment.

The Foundation would like to extend its warmest thanks to all the partners involved in making this 2nd edition a success.

© Jérémie Gabrien & Samantha Hunt