Just weeks ago, he was cutting through the waters of Singapore like a torpedo, commanding Spain to gold at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships. Now, five-time Olympian Felipe Perrone is diving into a new pool – this time in South Africa – armed with decades of elite water polo wisdom.
Perrone’s arrival on South African shores marks a tidal shift for the local water polo scene.
Water polo icon Felipe Perrone in action as part of the gold medal-winning Spanish team at the recent World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Photo: World Aquatics.
The man who has medalled at World Championships, dominated European club competitions, and twice crowned World Aquatics Player of the Year, is set to lead two high-performance masterclass clinics this August in Johannesburg and Cape Town. And he’s not coming alone.
Water polo icon Felipe Perrone celebrates winning gold with his Spanish team at the recent World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Photo: World Aquatics.
With him are BIWPA Academy’s tactical maestros, Ferran Pascual and Miquel Moyana – coaching juggernauts from Barcelona’s water polo powerhouse.
Together, they’ll conduct two-day clinics at St John’s College (16–17 August) and Reddam House Constantia (23–24 August). These aren’t your average swimming lessons. This is elite water polo knowledge distilled by champions and offered to a new generation of South African talent.
“We are thrilled to bring Felipe to South Africa,” said David Ripsold, co-founder of Elevate Water Polo.
“Our mission is to inspire the local community and help grow water polo into a competitive, globally connected sport in South Africa.
“Collaborating with BIWPA Academy makes this an unparalleled opportunity for players and coaches alike.”
The clinics will dive deep beyond drills and passing patterns into the mental muscle and tactical nuance that separates the good from the great. Participants will not only train like champions but think like them.
And when the final whistle blows, the learning continues. Each event includes a cocktail evening and Q&A session, where athletes and coaches can float into candid conversations with Perrone and Pascual, soaking up stories from Olympic pools and international pressure cookers.
For a country still paddling upstream in global water polo, Perrone’s presence is catalytic. He embodies a vision of where the sport could go, and his visit could be the current that lifts all boats.
The partnership between Elevate Water Polo and Spain’s BIWPA Academy is no splash-in-the-pan. It represents a shared commitment to building an ecosystem from grassroots ripples to elite waves to help nurture South African athletes into contenders on the world stage.
Felipe Perrone and Elevate- Water polo icon Felipe Perrone (middle pictured with Elevate Water Polo management and coaches to his left Hugh Bedford and David Ripsold and to his right Jono Swanepoel and Duncan Woods) Photo: Deep Blue Media
About the Organisers:
BIWPA (Barcelona International Water Polo Academy)
A global beacon of high-performance water polo training based in Spain. BIWPA offers elite-level camps and experiences tailored for teams, coaches, and players worldwide.
Elevate Water Polo
A South African initiative on a mission to grow the sport nationally by improving access to quality coaching, international competition, and fundamental skill development.
Felipe Perrone South Africa Coaching Clinics:
- Johannesburg: 16–17 August @ St John’s College
- Cape Town: 23–24 August @ Reddam House Constantia
Book now: www.elevatewaterpolo.co.
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