World’s Largest Swimming Lesson
PHOTO COURTESY WORLD’S LARGEST SWIMMING LESSON
By Irvine City News staff
The 8th annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson will take place at aquatic centers, waterparks, pools and other facilities in more than 20 countries on June 22, including Irvine’s William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center. The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) is a promotional event designed to build awareness and generate local and national press attention about the vital importance of teaching kids to swim to help prevent drowning.
Last year, more than 40,000 kids and adults participated in WLSL events in 24 countries, generating more than 200 million media impressions. Aquatic facilities, from Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston, Texas to swim schools in India, to locations in Jamaica, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, the UAE and South Korea, all taught the same swimming lesson with one goal in mind — send the message that swimming saves lives.
The World Health Organization estimates drowning is one of the top five causes of death for people ages 1-14 in 48 of the 85 countries it monitors around the globe. Research shows risk of drowning can be reduced by 88% if children participate in formal swimming lessons between ages 1-4.
According to the Orange County Fire Authority, Irvine has the second-highest drowning rate in Orange County. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental injury and death for OC kids under 5 years old.
Children are most likely to die in a home swimming pool. In fact, a residential pool is 14 times more likely to cause a death than an automobile. But adults are at risk, too. Last month, a woman was found unconscious in a community pool in Irvine after reportedly exercising alone. Adults over 50 make up a third of all drownings, some studies show.
Adults and children (ages 3+) of all swimming levels may participate in Irvine’s WLSL event. Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to sign up for the onsite swimming lesson, which will be held at 6 p.m. Then, stay for a free recreation swim and a screening of the movie “Sing” that begins at dusk.
cityofirvine.org/news-media/calendar-of-events/event/worlds-largest-swimming-lesson
Last year, more than 40,000 kids and adults participated in WLSL events in 24 countries, generating more than 200 million media impressions. Aquatic facilities, from Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston, Texas to swim schools in India, to locations in Jamaica, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, the UAE and South Korea, all taught the same swimming lesson with one goal in mind — send the message that swimming saves lives.
The World Health Organization estimates drowning is one of the top five causes of death for people ages 1-14 in 48 of the 85 countries it monitors around the globe. Research shows risk of drowning can be reduced by 88% if children participate in formal swimming lessons between ages 1-4.
According to the Orange County Fire Authority, Irvine has the second-highest drowning rate in Orange County. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental injury and death for OC kids under 5 years old.
Children are most likely to die in a home swimming pool. In fact, a residential pool is 14 times more likely to cause a death than an automobile. But adults are at risk, too. Last month, a woman was found unconscious in a community pool in Irvine after reportedly exercising alone. Adults over 50 make up a third of all drownings, some studies show.
Adults and children (ages 3+) of all swimming levels may participate in Irvine’s WLSL event. Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to sign up for the onsite swimming lesson, which will be held at 6 p.m. Then, stay for a free recreation swim and a screening of the movie “Sing” that begins at dusk.
cityofirvine.org/news-media/calendar-of-events/event/worlds-largest-swimming-lesson