World’s largest swimming lesson set for June 14
On Thursday June 14, thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities around the globe will unite to set a new global record for the world’s largest swimming lesson.
Lee County Parks and Recreation Community Pools are an official Host Location for the 2012 WLSL record-setting event to take place at 11 am.
The inaugural WLSL event established the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson ever conducted in 2010 to build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim to prevent drowning. Last year’s WLSL event grew more than 400 percent with 20,000-plus participants representing 13 countries around the globe and 45 states in the US.
Tragically, drowning remains the second leading cause of unintended, injury related death of children under 14 and a leading cause of death for children ages 1-5. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged 1-4, yet many kids do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.
The WLSL program works to promote drowning prevention through education by focusing the energy of thousands of participants on a clear and specific message all at the same time. Aquatic facilities, from Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon near Orlando to swim schools in Orange County, Calif. to parks and recreation centers in the Bronx, to locations in Mexico, Brazil, Dubai and Lebanon, have all participated in the event to help send the message that Swimming Lessons Save Lives
For more information on this important and fun event, to find out how you can join the WLSL record breaking event contact your local pool.
Lehigh Community Pool North Community Pool
1400 W. Fifth Street 5170 Orange Grove Blvd.
Lehigh Acres, FL 33936 North Ft Myers, FL 33903
(239) 369-8277 (239) 652-4520
Pine Island Pool San Carlos Community Pool
5675 Sesame Drive 8208 Sanibel Blvd.
Bokeelia, FL 33922 Ft Myers, FL 33967
(239) 283-2220 (239) 267-6002
For more information, visit www.leeparks.org .