Bernburg/Alsleben. Combining a spontaneous visit to the outdoor pool with a swimming test – that’s exactly what 34 children and young people did last Sunday in Alsleben. They took part for the first time in the ‘Seepferdchen Sunday’ initiative, launched by Salzlandkreis and Salzlandsparkasse, which supports swimming clubs in organising the event and offers children and young people the chance to earn a swimming badge free of charge. District Administrator Markus Bauer was delighted with the initial response. “Despite the mixed weather, many people turned up. We’ve clearly struck a chord. Because there’s a real need for this!” The District Administrator thanked the Bernburg branch of the DLRG for taking part in the initiative and organising the event, as well as the Salzlandsparkasse for its financial support.
Incidentally, SCM top swimmer and Olympic champion Lukas Märtens also thinks the campaign launched by the District Administrator is brilliant. At the invitation of Markus Bauer, he had agreed to be an ambassador for the ‘Seahorse Sundays’ in the Salzlandkreis. “Swimming is so important. I’d therefore like to encourage everyone to give it a go,” he said in a video message released specifically for the campaign, which he sent from Spain. The swimming star is currently at a training camp there. “The badge shows that the kids can not only swim safely, but also know the swimming pool rules.” It is, however, no coincidence that Germany’s most successful swimmer of all is supporting the campaign. Markus Bauer and Lukas Märtens have known each other for several years. They first met at the SSV Blau-Weiß Barby sports ball.
It’s been a successful start. Other swimming clubs are welcome to organise ‘Seepferdchen Sundays’ at any time, with support from the Salzlandsparkasse. To do so, simply send an email to
Important: The organisation and running of the event remain in the hands of the clubs. In principle, swimming clubs, water rescue services or swimming facilities are eligible to register. The idea behind the initiative is to spark a passion for swimming, improve safety and, in the long term, train the next generation of lifeguards who will later enable swimming pools to operate safely as pool attendants or lifeguards. And who knows – perhaps the next Lukas Märtens is among them.