Swimming
General
The athletic history of the Vouliagmeni Nautical Club begins with swimming, since the first timid steps towards the establishment of the department were taken in 1939. Thousands of great swimmers have competed since then with the colors of NOV and hundreds of medals and national victories have been won in championships, inter-club competitions and international events.
Since 1968, NOB organized and established the swimming meeting "Tzelateia", in memory of Ioannis Tzelatis, which remains a competitive reference point to this day.
Table of Contents
History
A brief excerpt from the Historical Album of the Vouliagmeni Nautical Club “In Search of the Athletic Ideal”, written by Mr. Panos Ioannidis and which was officially presented in early July 2008, in the context of the celebration of the Club's 70th anniversary.
1939
The first attempt to organize swimming competitions in the Club is made, in the sea in front of the beach where the Oceanida is today. Members of the Board of Directors were the ones who had formed with ropes held in their hands, a rectangular area… of a swimming pool, forming 4 lanes in which the swimmers competed!
1946
After the period of inactivity due to the war and occupation, life and thoughts of reactivating the Club began again, under very difficult circumstances. The driving force behind the newly created section was Michalis Mitrofanis, a young swimming coach and later a Physical Education professor at the National Technical University of Athens. With love for the Club and a salary that barely covered his travel expenses, he would travel up and down to Vouliagmeni to train the team's swimmers, at sea of course and only during the summer months.
The first swimmers of the department, with a training area, the one where the Sailing Department's slipway and Water Ski School are today, were: Athanasoglou Niki, Diakakis Spyros, Ioannidis Panos, Kantoros Eleni, Kantoros Angelos, Karagiorgos Tasos, Karyotoglou Betty, Kokkinopoulos Petros, Kokkinopoulos Athanasios, Lioumba Kaiti, Lioumba Aliki, Loukopoulos Kostas, Marsellos Panos, Michaelides Lakis, Michaelides Christos, Papous Spyros, Peristeropoulos Antonis, Sideris Giorgos, Strongylos Theoklis, Chalkidis Stefanos.
1953
The Federation granted a course to the Zappeion swimming pool where intensive winter training began, under the supervision of Michalis Mitrofanis. This gave our swimmers, who had been isolated until then in Vouliagmeni, the opportunity to watch and compete with other more experienced swimmers.
1963
Michalis Mitrofanis has now left, successfully completing the effort to create the first competitive swimming team. He is succeeded by coaches Andreas Gkiouzelis and Ioannis Lelakis.
1964
The department's base is expanding with the participation of more and more athletes in the Federation's championships.
1965
Giannis Tzelatis leaves the ephorate and is succeeded by the tireless and active Pavlos Zachariadis (later a member of the Board of Directors), while new athletes join the department.
1966
The "Golden Trident" award is established, in honor of the best swimmer of the previous year, awarded to Elias Lakoumentas (later a polo player and swimming coach of the Club). Giorgos Bias (Physical Education professor) takes over as head of the coaching team, replacing I. Lelakis who is leaving, while Andreas Gkiuzelis remains as his collaborator.
1968
Pavlos Zachariadis leaves and is succeeded by George Pyrokakos (later a member of the Board of Directors), while the "Golden Trident" prize is awarded to Antoni Valavani. In the same year, the "TZELATEIA" swimming competitions are established, in honor and in memory of the unforgettable Ioannos Tzelatis, a prominent figure of the Group and a main contributor to the establishment of swimming competitions.
These competitions include the small categories of swimmers (threes), which have since been held almost continuously every summer at the Club's swimming pool, with the participation of a large number of Clubs and athletes.
1970
Changes are being made in the administrative and coaching sector: the department's superintendent, George Pyrokakos, is leaving and is being succeeded by Christos Hasiotis, who during his term will show exceptional interest and will dedicate a lot of time to the smooth operation and progress of the department.
After the departure of George Bia, the head of the coaching team is taken over by Giannis Zombanakis, a Physical Education professor, with Andreas Gkiuzelis as his collaborator.
1971
The greatest success is winning 3rd place in the Panhellenic Boys' and Girls' Championship after Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.
1972
In the Panhellenic Boys-Girls Championship, the Club once again takes 3rd place, while E. Pagoni breaks the Panhellenic record in the 100m backstroke, in the Girls category.
1976
Dimitris Mastrokallos, participating in the boys' and girls' championship, breaks the Panhellenic record in the 1500m freestyle and together with Nikos Spanos become the first swimmers of the Club to be called up to the National Team of our country. The coaching team of the section includes the former swimmer and polo player of the Club, Elias Lakoumentas, while Pavlos Zachariadis takes over as the supervisor again.
1977
It is a year of records and victories for the department. Dimitris Mastrokallos, participating in the Panhellenic Men's-Women's Championship, breaks 3 Panhellenic records (in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle), in the Youth category, while he wins three 1st victories (in the 200m, 400m and 1500m) participating in the Youth Championship. In the Pampa-Pagoras Championship, Stefanos Papadatos wins 1st place in the 100m breaststroke.
1978
Panos Ioannidis is the department's superintendent. The coaching team consists of Giannis Zombanakis, Elias Lakoumentas and Alekos Persakis, who succeeds Andreas Gkiuzelis. In the competitive field, the Club is represented by Stefanos Papadatos who, with the colors of the National team, takes 2nd place in the 200m breaststroke, at the meeting of the National Teams of Greece-Bulgaria and Dimitris Mastrokallos who takes 5th place in the 1500m freestyle at the Balkan Games.
1979
In the Panhellenic Boys' and Girls' Championships, the 1st winners are Stefanos Papadatos in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and Christos Tountas in the 100m breaststroke (pambaidones), while Despina Moroliou takes 2nd place in the 100m breaststroke (pangorasidones). In the Panhellenic Junior Championships, Marilena Livanou takes 2nd place in the 200m freestyle and the 200m medley, while Stefanos Papadatos takes 3rd place in the 200m breaststroke with a new Panhellenic record.
1980
Giannis Zombanakis leaves the coaching staff after a ten-year fruitful and creative presence and is succeeded by Antonis Moudatsos. In the Panhellenic Children's and Girls' Championship, the relay team (4×100m freestyle), with D. Broliou, M. Kotzia, F. Sporidou, R. Kollia, wins 1st place, while 2nd place is won in the 100m breaststroke by M. Pantos and D. Broliou and 3rd place by E. Delikanaki. In the Panhellenic Youth Championship, Stefanos Papadatos stands out, with three 2nd victories in the 100m, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.
In the same year, Stefanos Papadatos, Christos Tountas, Giorgos Gennimatas and Evelina Delikanaki were called up to the National team.
1981
The methodical and hard work of the previous years is bearing fruit, sixty-three athletes from the section, a record number for the Club, take part in the Panhellenic Championships and 34 of them qualify for the finals of their events. Medals are won by Tasos Kotzias (1st win in the 100m freestyle, men's), Michalis Alexandridis (2nd win in the 100m breaststroke, men's), Giorgos Mavrotas (2nd win in the 200m breaststroke, men's), Stefanos Papadatos (2nd win in the 200m mixed junior and 3rd win in the 200m breaststroke, open), Evelina Delikanaki (3rd win in the 100m breaststroke, girls).
Stefanos Papadatos, Despina Broliou, Michalis Alexandridis and Michalis Pantos are invited to the National team for the quadrennial games of Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey in Izmir where Stefanos Papadatos wins 2 gold medals in the 100m and 200m Youth breaststroke.
There is a change in the department's board of directors and Thodoris Apergis, a former member, former swimming athlete and member of the Club's first water polo team, succeeds Panos Ioannidis, who is leaving to deal with the Club's administration.
1982
The participation of our athletes continues with many placings in the finals (8-team) and Haris Sofokleous proving to be the Greek Champion in the 100m freestyle for Boys, Tasos Kotzias taking the 2nd victory in the same event, Froso Sporidou the 3rd victory in the 200m backstroke, Girls and Tina Apergi the 3rd victory in the 100m breaststroke, Girls.
In the Panhellenic Youth Championship, T. Alexandridou takes the 2nd victory in the 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley, Evelina Delikanaki the 3rd victory in the 200m and 100m breaststroke, the 2nd victory in the 200m breaststroke and the 3rd victory in the 400m individual medley. In the Panhellenic Men's and Women's Championship, Stefanos Papadatos participates and takes 3rd place in the 200m individual medley and 100m breaststroke.
In the department's management, Anastasios Delikanakis succeeds Thodoris Apergis and Alekos Persakis leaves the technical staff to be succeeded by – former Olympiacos champion – Giorgos Karpouzis.
1983
Elias Lakoumentas is leaving the coaching team, after many years of fruitful and creative contribution to the Department and the Club. At the Panhellenic Boys' and Girls' Championships, Haris Sofokleous won a silver medal in the 200m, 100m backstroke and bronze in the 100m freestyle. At the Panhellenic Youth Championships, medals were won by Michalis Pantos (silver in the 200m and 100m breaststroke), Michalis Alexandridis (bronze in the 200m individual medley), T. Alexandridou (silver in the 200m, individual medley and bronze in the 100m breaststroke) and Kollia (bronze in the 400m and 200m individual medley).
1984
In the Panhellenic Championship for Boys and Girls, Haris Sofokleous won the 2nd victory in the 100m backstroke, while in the Youth Championship, Logotheti won the 3rd victory in the 100m freestyle, M. Pantos won the 3rd victory in the 200m breaststroke and T. Alexandridou won the 3rd victory in the 100m freestyle. In the Panhellenic Championship, open, Stefanos Papadatos won the silver medal in the 200m breaststroke and the bronze in the 200m individual medley.
Marinos Pantos takes over as Superintendent.
1986
In the Panhellenic Championship for Boys and Girls, Stavros Karavasiliadis stands out, winning 1st place in the 100m breaststroke and 100m freestyle and 3rd place in the 200m breaststroke. In the Panhellenic Championship for Youth and Girls, Haris Sofokleous wins 2nd place in the 100m and 200m backstroke and 3rd place in the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley, while Tasos Kotzias wins 2nd place in the 100m freestyle. In the Panhellenic Championship for Men, Stefanos Papadatos participates, taking 2nd place in the 200m breaststroke. Elias Lakoumentas returns to the coaching team after a 4-year absence.
1987
At the Panhellenic Children's and Girls' Championships, Stavros Karavasiliadis won the gold medal in the 50m freestyle, with a new Panhellenic record, in the 100m freestyle and a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke, Charalambos Kokkinis won the silver medal in the 400m individual medley and the silver in the 200m breaststroke. At the Panhellenic Youth Championships, A. Kontopoulos stood out with 1st victory in the 1500m freestyle and 2nd victory in the 400m freestyle, T. Kotzias with 2nd victory in the 100m, 200m and 50m freestyle, H. Sofokleous with 3rd victory in the 100m, 200m backstroke and 20m individual medley and G. Gliatis with 3rd victory in the 200m backstroke.
At the Panhellenic Men's and Women's Championships, Stefanos Papadatos wins the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke and the silver medal in the 200m individual medley.
1987
At the Panhellenic Children's and Girls' Championships, Stavros Karavasiliadis won the gold medal in the 50m freestyle, with a new Panhellenic record, in the 100m freestyle and a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke, Charalambos Kokkinis won the silver medal in the 400m individual medley and the silver in the 200m breaststroke. At the Panhellenic Youth Championships, A. Kontopoulos stood out with 1st victory in the 1500m freestyle and 2nd victory in the 400m freestyle, T. Kotzias with 2nd victory in the 100m, 200m and 50m freestyle, H. Sofokleous with 3rd victory in the 100m, 200m backstroke and 20m individual medley and G. Gliatis with 3rd victory in the 200m backstroke.
At the Panhellenic Men's and Women's Championships, Stefanos Papadatos wins the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke and the silver medal in the 200m individual medley.
1990
At the beginning of the season, Dionysis Kokkinis (later a member of the Board of Directors) takes over as the department's superintendent. The following are invited to participate in the National team: Papadatos S., Palaiokrasas N. (Men), Kokkinis Ch., Antoniou K. (Young Men), and Foutouchos A., Brousalis D. (Young Men).
Coming from the USA, where they are studying, are our athletes Nikos Paleokrassas, Haris Sofokleous and Yiannis Gliatis, who will strengthen our team at the Panhellenic Open Championship. At the World School Championships, in Belgium, Charalambos Kokkinis participates, taking 6th place in the 200m individual medley.
In the Panhellenic Championships, our athletes occupy the following positions:
- Paleokrassas Nikos 1st win in the 50 m freestyle,
- Papadatos Stefanos 1st win in the 200m breaststroke, in the Open Category
- Antoniou Katerina 2nd victory in the 200m breaststroke, in the Junior Category
- Kokkinis Charalambos 2nd win in the 400m individual medley and 3rd win in the 200m individual medley
- Sofokleous Christos 3rd victory in the 100m breaststroke
- Foutouchos Antonis 3rd victory in the 50m freestyle
1991
The first swimming team consisting of children from Vouliagmeni is created. Nikos Paleokrassas (second place in the 50m and 100m freestyle) and Katerina Antoniou (second place in the 100m breaststroke) stand out in the Panhellenic Men's and Women's Championships.
1992
The year is marked by the excellent performance of our Champion Nikos Paleokrassas with the National team in international competitions in Austria, where he broke the Panhellenic 100m record twice, in a 25m swimming pool, and also won 2 gold medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle, at the Winter Panhellenic Championships.
However, the highlight for our athlete and the Club is his participation with our country's Olympic team in the Barcelona Olympic Games, becoming the first and only swimmer from the Club to take part in the Olympic Games.
In the Panhellenic Championships, our athletes occupy the following positions:
- Nikos Paleokrassas, 1st win, in the 50m freestyle, in the Open category
- Vasilis Kapenis, 2nd victory, in the Youth category
- Manolis Sigalas, 3rd victory
- Antonis Foutouchos, 3rd victory
1993
At the end of the season, Dionysis Kokkinis leaves the Department's board of directors, having associated his tenure with a brilliant and extremely fruitful period for the department. He is succeeded by Eleni Tsiklou (member of the Board of Directors) with associates including himself and Efi Klimaki.
1994
Eleni Tsiklou leaves the department and is succeeded by Efi Klimaki. The coaching team includes former swimming champion and Physical Education teacher Kaiti Baxevanelli. In the competitive sector, swimmers D. Machairas and M. Sigalas, N. Palaiokrassas, E. Vivilakis, E. Kokkini, V. Klimakis and I. Karanassios are distinguished and win medals in the Panhellenic Championships.
1995
This year, the transfer of the section to Vouliagmeni and to the Club's swimming pool is completed, thus giving the opportunity and the ability to the children of the area to participate in it and taste distinctions and successes. In the competitive field and in the Panhellenic Championships, Dimitris Macheiras stands out, winning the gold medal in the 100m freestyle, the 200m individual medley and the 400m freestyle (men's category) and Krystallia Diamantidis, Eleni Panou, Anna Sochou, Korina Kalaitzi, winning the bronze medal in the 4×100 mixed team (women's category).
1996
In the competitive field, the successes of our swimmers are limited to the participation of Vasia Klimaki in the Comen Mediterranean Cup, where she won the silver medal in the 200m butterfly and the bronze medal in the 100m butterfly, in the Winter Championship categories.
1998
This year, an effort to reorganize the Department begins, with a series of events, its connection with the Winter Sports Schools, the expansion of training sessions to the A. Kosmas swimming pool, with daily gymnastics, etc.
Panos Ioannidis takes over as Superintendent temporarily again, while Dimitris Asimakis will soon succeed him. The coaches are Nikos Darras, who succeeds Kaiti Baxevanelli, and Liana Dima – both former members of the Club's polo teams and Physical Education teachers.
1999
The effort to create a new competitive swimming team continues, with the uninterrupted operation of the Sports Schools.
2000
The Department's swimmers successfully participate in inter-club and pre-competitive competitions, the "Tzelateia" etc. At the end of the season, Superintendent Dimitris Asimakis leaves and is succeeded by Eleni Tsiklou, member of the Board of Directors.
2001 - 2003
The participation of the Department's swimmers in inter-club competitions, as well as in winter championships, continues successfully.
2004 - 2005
The Department is strengthened with new promising swimmers. In the Panhellenic Championships, the following distinguished themselves by winning medals or participating in the finals of their events:
- Triantafyllos Plomaritis, Gold medal in the 200m, 100m, 50m freestyle (NPR), in the Pampaidon category
- Michalis Kikilis, Silver medal in the 50m and bronze in the 100m freestyle, in the Pampaid category
Charalambos Fotopoulos (president of the V.N.C.) is appointed as the Superintendent of the Department, with Lydia Argyropoulou as his collaborator, while Thodoris Arapis, a Physical Education professor, joins the coaching team, along with Liana Dima and Giorgos Popotas.
2006
The upward trajectory of the Department continues with the impressive presence of our swimmers at the Panhellenic Championships, where the following distinguished themselves in the Boys-Girls category:
- Michalis Kikilis: Gold medal in the 200m freestyle and 50m butterfly and Bronze in the 100m butterfly
- Triantafyllos Plomaritis: Gold medal in the 400m freestyle, Silver in the 100m freestyle and Bronze in the 400m individual medley.
- Aris Plomaritis: Bronze medal in the 200m and 400m individual medley
- Angeliki Diouka: Silver medal in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke
- Dimitris Leventis: Bronze medal in the 200m breaststroke.
This year, Michalis Kikilis and Triantafyllos Plomaritis are invited to our National team.
It is a special achievement of our worthy athletes and a great success of the Department and the Club after many years.
2007
In the competitive field, the stars of Michalis Kikilis and Triantafyllos Plomaritis shine once again, flanked by other equally worthy athletes with significant and many successes. In the Panhellenic Championship, medals were won by:
- Michalis Kikilis: Gold medal in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly and silver in the 50m freestyle, Children's category
- Triantafyllos Plomaritis: Gold medal in the 200m freestyle and Bronze in the 400m freestyle, Children's category
- Alexandros Theocharis: Bronze medal in the 4×100m mixed team, Children's category
- Dimitris Leventis: Bronze medal in the 4×100m individual medley, Children's category
Coaches
Department Head & Supervisor
