World's Largest Swimming Lesson! Do You Know How To Swim?
Do you know how to swim? It's estimated that about 50% of Americans do not have all their basic swimming skills. About 80% state they know how to swim, but knowing how to swim and understanding the proper skills to stay afloat are different.
In the U.S., more drowning and near-drowning accidents take place in June and July than any other time period according to the CDC. The upcoming 4th of July holiday also sees an increase in drowning accidents compared to other weeks during the summer.
"Students need access to these critical safety lessons, especially here in Florida where we're surrounded by water," said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Walt Disney World Resort. "Being able to host the largest site in the state means our impact on their lives is huge – whether they were inspired to pursue a career in recreation or pass the lessons along to their friends and family. These are skills and memories that will last them a lifetime!"
Walt Disney World Resort was once again Florida's largest event site for the World's Largest Swimming Lesson – an annual event designed to promote safe water practices worldwide. More than 650 Florida youth from six nonprofit organizations took part in the event at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and at various Walt Disney World Resort hotel pools to build awareness and empower students with the skills they need to swim safely.
Former Olympic silver medalist Maritza Correia McClendon – the first African-American woman to make the US Olympic swim team and set a World Record – participated in the event, sharing her love of swimming and driving home the importance of water safety.
Swimming and water safety are critical for kids, especially in Florida where there are numerous lakes, ponds and waterways, as well as swimming pools. McClendon, who grew up in Florida and now resides in the Atlanta area, talked with the kids about her journey with swim safety and emphasized just how important it is to understand from a young age.
Students from non-profit organizations including Boys and Girls Clubs, Elevate Orlando, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Big Brothers Big Sisters learned important water competency skills on June 22, 2023 at the World's Largest Swimming Lesson event at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Steven Diaz, photographer.)
Following the lesson, the participating students put their swimming skills into action and spent the rest of the day enjoying all the magic and watery attractions at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Students also had the opportunity to interact with Disney characters – including Mickey Mouse and Stitch – and even met with Disney lifeguards and the recruiting team to learn about available careers they may one day like to pursue.
"Reaching as many parents and caregivers as possible with this information is crucially important as we head into the peak season for aquatic recreation," said Rick Root, President of the World Waterpark Association. "Whether families are spending time at a waterpark, the community pool, the beach or the lake, we want them to be prepared by enrolling kids in swimming lessons and always providing active adult supervision."
U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist, Cullen Jones, helps students learn water safety skills at the Valley of The Sun YMCA/Leslie's World's Largest Swimming Lesson event in Phoenix, AZ. Jones shared his personal water safety/learn to swim story to help raise awareness about the importance of learning to swim and using layers of protection including adult supervision and preventing access to water with fencing and pool covers.
SOURCE: World's Largest Swimming Lesson and Walt Disney World
