The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) is set to celebrate its 15th anniversary on June 20, 2024. This global event aims to educate children and parents on essential water safety skills to prevent drowning.
Launched in 2010, WLSL coordinates hundreds of aquatics facilities worldwide in a 24-hour effort to spread the lifesaving message that “Swimming Lessons Save Lives.”
Participants at Water World Ocean Park in Hong Kong proudly display their WLSL participation certificates. This year’s event will take place in 19 countries across six continents, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Qatar, Spain, the UK, and the U.S.
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The WLSL anticipates over 39,000 children and parents to join the one-day initiative at waterparks, swim schools, and pools.
The event is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2024, with local times varying by location. A comprehensive list of participating facilities, along with contact details, is available on the WLSL website.
Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 in the U.S., with over 4,500 drowning deaths annually from 2020-2022. Alarmingly, in 2022, drowning incidents among children in this age group surged by 28% compared to 2019. Research indicates that formal swimming lessons can reduce drowning risk by up to 88% for children aged 1-4. However, a 2020 study by the American Red Cross revealed that 56% of children aged 4-17 still lack the basic swim skills necessary to save their lives.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ is spearheaded by the World Waterpark Association and has reached over 383,000 participants in 53 countries since its inception. This vital event underscores the importance of water safety education to prevent drowning tragedies.
Source: World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (#WLSL) Taking Place Thursday, 6/20
