Facing the fear of water: Refugees learn to swim in Lesbos | They are not refugees

YSR has its roots in swimming, explains Estelle Jean, founder and executive director of the organization. “In 2016, thousands of people came to the sea, especially in the northern part of the island, where the Turkish coast is only 12 kilometers away. [7.5 miles] away. Rescue teams formed automatically.”

This situation led to the birth of the swimming program in Lesbos in 2017, he explains. The aim was to teach swimming but also to give an opportunity to both rescuers and those who cross the sea to connect with it, especially after a traumatic experience.

YSR officially started in 2018 and now operates in four locations, with the other three in Ioannina, Athens and Paris, France. In Lesbos, they hold swimming classes every day from May to October, weather permitting, open to men and women (including women-only classes). Each group has one teacher who carefully monitors the students.

“Day by day, they are improving,” said Sara Balamurugan, a volunteer teacher from France. Three younger students practice leg movements on the beach, while two beginners practice floating in the water. At that time, two advanced students went out to sea with another teacher.

Salah returns to the beach doing a butterfly stroke, raising his head and arms every time he kicks his legs. Luiza Lena Benz, the swimming coach, tells him that he needs to correct his hand position and show him the right way. Salah listens carefully, then sits on the beach to rest.

“I love swimming,” said Salah with a smile. “I’m fine, you know. I can swim there,” he says, pointing to the green mountains beyond the sea. “I came out of Turkiye to swim,” he continued, his voice becoming more serious. “It took six hours. It was difficult, but I had the buoyancy to help me.”