World's Largest Swimming Lesson

May 20, 2011

At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14th, 2011, thousands of kids and adults at aquatics facilities around the globe will unite to set a new global record for The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL). Shaw Park Aquatic Center
is an official Host Location for the 2011 WLSL record-setting event.

The inaugural WLSL event, conducted in 2010 also with Clayton’s participation, established the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson ever when almost 4,000 participants across 34 states, five countries and 3 continents participated to build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim to prevent drowning.

Tragically, drowning is the second leading cause of unintended injury related death of children ages 1-14 in the US. In fact, more than one in four fatal drowning victims are children 14 and younger. And, research shows if a child doesn’t learn to swim before the 3rd grade, they likely never will.

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ was created as a platform to help aquatic facilities and the many different regional, national and international water safety and drowning prevention organizations work together to communicate the fundamental importance of teaching children to swim. In 2010, aquatic facilities, from Orlando, Florida to Orange Country, CA, to the Bronx, to locations in Mexico, Dubai and the USAG Humphreys in South Korea, all taught the same swimming lesson at the same time with one goal in mind – send the message
that Swimming Lessons Save Lives™.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park near Orlando has been designated as the official headquarters location for the international event for the second year.

“It is so important to draw attention to this issue,” said Jason Quinton, Aquatic Supervisor for Clayton Parks and Recreation, “particularly at the beginning of the summer season. The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ is a perfect way to bring the message to life for kids and parents.”

The program kicks off at Shaw Park Aquatic Center at 9:15, and participants are asked to arrive early to get ready.  For more information or to register, call The Center of Clayton at 314-290-8500.