ILSF water safety volunteers on boards accompany swimmers on 12-kilometer Yaroni Swim from Herzliya to Tel Aviv

Israel Life Saving Federation water safety volunteers had the honor of accompanying 70 open-water swimmers on a 12-kilometer Mediterranean swim to commemorate Lieutenant Yaron Chitiz, who fell in combat in Gaza in December. The event was initiated by his mother Debbie Chitiz, a member of Israel's open water swimming community and a graduate of the ILSF's water safety course.

In a first-ever swim of its kind, the swimmers swam 12 kilometers from Sidna Ali beach in northern Herzliya to Gordon beach in central Tel Aviv despite challenging winds, accompanied by a water safety team including boats as well as four ILSF volunteers paddling on rescue boards. Volunteers accompanied groups of swimmers as they made their way down the Israeli coast, splitting their safety responsibilities with the team of boats accompanying the participants.

Debbie organized the swim in her son's memory under the tagline, "You'll never swim alone." The event was produced by ILSF's partner Hadar Ben Dror.

The ILSF safety volunteers on Gordon Beach in Tel Aviv after the safe conclusion of the swim..

Debbie Chitiz surrounded by swimmers toward the conclusion of the swim.

An ILSF safety volunteer on a board offshore at Sidna Ali beach, waiting for the swim to begin.

Safety team members coming ashore with their boards on Gordon Beach.

A view of swimmers in front of Sidna Ali beach in Herzliya as the swim began.

An aerial view of swimmers and safety team members offshore at Sidna Ali beach in Herzliya.

An ILSF volunteer alongside the safety teams on boats and a kayak.

An ILSF volunteer paddling on a rescue board to keep pace with swimmers.

Swimmers on a food and drink break offshore between Herzliya and Tel Aviv.

Swimmers in the Mediterranean in front of the Tel Aviv skyline.

The ILSF safety team members onshore at Gordon Beach in Tel Aviv after the swim.

An ILSF volunteer on are rescue board alongside safety team members on a boat, waiting for swimmers.

Swimmers in the Mediterranean, passing the Tel Aviv port and the Reading power station.

Photos by Ofer Mariash, Aviv Atlas, Erez Artenstein, Yardena Haran and Sam Avineta. Full attribution on the event page.