Dr. Stathis Avramidis, President of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association, wrote a touching tribute to Panagiotis Nastos, a pharmacist in Piraeus who envisioned starting a swimming school in Greece, the first of its kind to help reduce the number of countless drownings that occurred at the beginning of the 20th century.
Dr. Avramidis writes, “At the beginning of the 20th century, drownings were claiming countless lives in Greece. One man stood tall against indifference and ignorance. Panagiotis Nastos, a pharmacist in Piraeus, dared to dream of something no one had ever thought of until then: to establish the first swimming school in Greece.
Long before rescue and swimming became essential, he offered his fellow citizens a vision: to learn how to swim, to protect themselves, and to save others.
With passion, he carried the weight of a mission that went beyond his time, claiming for Piraeus, Athens, Faliro, and Greece a place in the pantheon of humanity.”
While such obstacles seem unfathomable in contemporary times, Dr. Avramidis tells of the obstacles and difficulties Nastos faced in realizing his vision, “The path of pioneering is always difficult. Nastos faced suspicion, indifference, and obstacles. Yet, his work sowed the seed of a new perception. His example endowed us with the greatness of courage and solidarity. Greece would not surrender passively to the dangers of the sea, but would embrace it with knowledge so that we could enjoy it.
The school did not last long. Yet, his work rightfully ranks him among the unsung heroes who opened a window of hope for the future of swimming, rescue, and lifesaving sport.”
“Dr. Stathis Avramidis does it again with his meticulous research into Panagiotis Nastos. His work of over nine years delves into the historical past of lifesaving. Stathis always has an eye towards the future with the ultimate goal of making water activities safer and more enjoyable for all,” says Steven Munatones who read a draft of the book. “He weaves a wonderful tribute and fascinating narrative that ties together the actions and decisions of King George I, the 1896 Athens Olympics, the founding of the Piraeus-Athens Swimming Club, the Greek Ministry of the Navy, and Nastos’ own book on swimming. The illustrations and photography bring alive the excitement and challenges, foresight and opportunities, and resistance of the day. It is a wonderful read for all those interested in the history of swimming and keeping people safe as they venture beyond the shoreline.”
The book is scheduled to be released in 2026.
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