Tri-City families invited to ‘world’s largest swimming lesson’

Potsdam Recreation is participating with a national organization to hold “The World’s Largest Swim Lesson” (WLSL) Friday, June 24.

13-year-old Alexis Rivers wants to help children learn how to swim when she grows up. In the city, the event will start at the center, which is at 700 Paul Russell Road, at 10:30 am.

Children in Central Florida participated in a worldwide swimming lesson Friday at SeaWorld’s Aquatica. The admission for the event is free. Participants are asked to arrive for registration between 9:30-10 a.m. and be ready to get in the water by 10:15 a.m.

“If you don’t learn how to swim by third grade more than likely you won’t even learn how to swim after that”, Rombu explained.

“We’ve lost six children (in Maricopa County) already this year and we lost one child last week, we lost 14 children last year, so swimming lessons are imperative”, said Lana Whitehead, President of SWIMKids USA. It was attended by 38,170 participants from 22 countries.

Tragically, drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury related death for US children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause for children under 14.

“The basic skills, like learning how to be around the water and making sure you’re aware of your surroundings, is really critical”, Gaines said.

Come out and be part of the World’s Largest Swim Lesson on Friday June 24, at Centennial Pool.

“When the new pool opens, we will be starting our introduction to SwimSmart class for ages 6 and 7”, Stevens said.

Join Team WLSL and Help Make a Difference by Spreading the Word – Swimming Lessons Save Lives!™.

The goal of the event this morning was to teach children and parents about water safety.

He has enjoyed watching his daughter go from being reluctant to enter the water to mastering a snorkel and mask and other swimming things, and now beginning to assist younger swimmers.

“In Central Florida, where there’s so many aquatic facilities, private swimming pools, it’s extremely important that the children of this community understand the importance of water safety”, said Brad Gilmour, with Aquatica.

Setting a record is one thing, preventing a drowning is another.