The climate, the diversity of landscapes, the coastline, and Greek hospitality create the ideal setting for a new type of tourism, notes Mr. Parthenis, founder of the Weswim initiative.
Greece has all the elements to emerge as a global wellness destination, uniquely combining nature, sport, and culture. Petros Parthenis, founder of Weswim, speaks to Tornos News about the power of open-water swimming, the role of sports tourism, and the need for a more conscious way of life that unites body and soul. Through his own experience and vision, he describes a Greece that does not simply offer landscapes, but living stories — a place where people travel not just to see, but to feel.
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The Weswim initiative has created a unique movement around open-water swimming, connecting people with nature throughout the year. What do you consider to be the deeper meaning of this experience, and what motivated you to transform it from a personal habit into a collective way of life?
Weswim was born out of a need — not just to swim, but to share the unique sense of freedom that the sea offers. From a young age, I sought nature as a refuge, a place where everything finds its balance. Over time, I realized that this gift should not remain personal but be shared — something we could experience together. Thus, in 2015, ISWIM became Weswim: a collective experience, a way of life that brings together people who seek something genuine, away from the speed and stress of everyday life. I wanted to change the way we see swimming — to turn it into a group, not an individual, experience. I have always believed in the power of the many and in collaboration, especially in the sea, where you need more pairs of eyes to confirm the magic and the countless benefits that water offers.
Weswim is a return to oneself through water, a rebirth through nature that teaches us to listen, to feel, and to live more consciously. It was born from the desire to return to what made me feel alive — the sea and the freedom of breathing in the water, the element that takes you away from the noise of daily life and connects you with something deeper. When I realized how many people were in need of this connection — of rest and genuine moments — I felt the urge to share it. That sense of togetherness makes all the difference. Through Weswim, a personal habit became a celebration of life, a daily ritual, and a bridge between nature, sport, and soul.
Your activities seem to attract not only Greeks but also travelers seeking authentic wellness experiences in nature. Do you believe this type of sports tourism could become a new pillar for Greece, beyond the traditional “sun and sea” model?
I absolutely believe so. Greece has all the ingredients to become a global wellness destination. The climate, the variety of landscapes, the coastline, and the renowned Greek hospitality create the perfect setting for a new kind of tourism — more authentic, experiential, and sustainable — what we call specialized experience tourism. Through Weswim’s travel and swimming activities, we have seen visitors from all over the world come to experience swimming in pristine, unexplored waters, to taste local cuisine after a swim, and to connect with culture and tradition through nature.
This connection between sport, environment, and local culture can redefine Greece’s travel narrative. It is not just about sun and sea — it is about experience, contact, and wellbeing. Instead of relying solely on the beach, we can offer unique experiences such as year-round swimming, journeys that combine nature, activity, and connection with place, culture, and gastronomy. This is what travelers seek today — not just to see, but to live.
Greece has an enormous coastline, much of which is used only in summer. That is what we want to change. We want to make swimming experiences accessible to everyone, 365 days a year. Feet in the sand, all year round. It’s worth the effort.
Sea swimming is not just a physical activity but also a form of mental reset. How do you see the connection between water, wellbeing, and balance — and how can this experience become an ambassador of the Greek way of life?
Water is the closest thing we have to a natural antidote in life. When you dive in, everything goes quiet. You are alone with your breath, your heartbeat, and the flow of the water. It is like returning to the womb of nature — the place where everything begins again. It teaches us balance; it helps us leave anxiety behind, focus on the present, and reconnect with our body and soul. This way of life — combining simplicity, respect, and joy in the moment — is the essence of the Greek spirit.
If we look at it this way, sea swimming can become the most beautiful ambassador of the Greek way of life — authentic, human, and full of light. When we enter the water, our senses awaken, the mind relaxes, and the body moves to a different rhythm. It feels like a reboot. Water releases endorphins, brings mental relief, strengthens the immune system, improves sleep, and reduces stress. All of these shape a new way of living — one we often forget in everyday life. Greece has the culture, the maritime history, and the tradition to embody this philosophy.
Weswim can be the ambassador of that philosophy. We show that living in harmony with nature, appreciating the sun, the sea, and the water, feeling physically and mentally healthy, and connecting with others is not a luxury — it is a choice. I have met the most fascinating people in the sea. Take the plunge. As Solon said, “The first things children should learn are swimming and letters.”
With Weswim having evolved into a community that unites people from different places and countries, how do you envision its next phase? Could it become a platform linking sport, tourism, and culture under a single narrative for Greece?
That is exactly the next goal. Weswim is not only a swimming movement — it is a living network of experiences. Through initiatives such as Unspoiled Greece Swims and Gastro Swims, we have already connected swimming with the culture and gastronomy of each region. Water becomes the medium that unites nature with people, sport with tourism, the visitor with the place. Greece needs such authentic narratives that reveal its soul.
I envision Weswim as a platform that carries this message globally — that here, wellbeing, culture, and nature are one and the same. And it all begins with a single dive. We have traveled to dozens of destinations — from Crete and Karpathos to Sifnos and Pelion — creating unique swimming experiences, and we plan to continue. I want to attract people who travel not to see, but to feel — to breathe in a place, to swim in its waters, to meet its people, and to leave transformed.
I envision a touristic Greece that does not merely offer landscapes but living stories — a country that unites wellness, culture, and sustainable development into one cohesive narrative. A Greece that invites you to rediscover yourself — in the light, in the water, in the silence that only the sea knows how to keep.
