The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Water Polo Club recently announced their upcoming journey to Uganda to co-host a learn-to-swim camp, a water polo coaches clinic and participate in the national World Drowning Prevention Day event. This initiative is a collaboration with the nonprofit organization, Energy In Action, and aims to promote water safety, share their love for the sport, and make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals in Uganda. Thirteen RBWPC players aged 13 -17 will travel to various regions in Uganda from July 19 through Aug. 2 to engage with local communities, train swim coaches in the basics of water polo, and provide opportunities for children and teenagers to learn water safety and play water polo. Their focus is to teach essential community drowning prevention strategies and survival swimming skills and the basics of water polo to 100 youth living on Lake Victoria through a five-day camp.
The camp is a partnership between RBWPC, Energy In Action, Uganda Swimming Federation, Uganda Scouts Association and Swim Safe Uganda. The team wants to empower individuals to become confident and competent swimmers, reducing the risks associated with water-related activities. “I am incredibly proud of our athletes’ volunteer efforts, and I encourage them to continue to embrace the spirit of giving back. By using their platform as athletes, they can inspire and uplift others worldwide, creating a ripple effect of positivity beyond our local community,” said head water polo coach Mike Gonzales. The RBWPC team will participate in Uganda’s national World Drowning Prevention Day activities on July 25, which will include an exhibition game with the Ugandan national water polo team, and a learn-to-swim and water rescue demonstrations. This year, they will also host a coaches clinic for representatives from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. This clinic will introduce the dynamic sport of water polo to East Africa, enhance the growth and development of aquatics within the region and offer new possibilities for aspiring athletes.
First published in the June 15 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.
