With the world facing a growing climate, water, and biodiversity crisis, World Rowing and WWF have launched the “Healthy Waters” initiative to raise awareness of the importance of protecting rivers, lakes, and coastal ecosystems, and to promote joint projects aimed at their restoration. This effort seeks to leverage World Rowing’s global presence and WWF’s environmental expertise, which operates in over 100 countries, to empower local and national communities to collaborate in improving water security, climate resilience, and biodiversity.

Vincent Gaillard, Executive Director of World Rowing, highlighted the importance of this collaboration by stating that healthy aquatic ecosystems are essential for water and food security, as well as for mitigating climate change. “The Healthy Waters initiative provides an opportunity for rowers and conservationists to work together to generate meaningful change for the benefit of people and the planet,” said Gaillard.

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For his part, Stuart Orr, WWF’s global leader for freshwater, emphasized that the union between the rowing community and conservation is key to protecting freshwater and coastal ecosystems. “By working hand in hand, we will drive positive change in communities around the world, contributing to a climate-resilient and nature-positive future,” Orr noted.

The initiative’s first pilot projects took place in Genoa, Italy, during the 2024 Coastal Rowing World Championships, where a seabed cleanup was organized with a team of divers, and the first Italian rowing club joined WWF’s “Adopt a Beach” initiative to combat plastic pollution. Giuseppe Abbagnale, President of the Italian Rowing Federation, expressed his enthusiasm for mobilizing clubs and rowers in this cause.

Through this initiative, World Rowing and WWF aim to inspire the global rowing community to take concrete actions that not only protect the sport but also the planet, positioning rowing as a leader in sustainability.