Thousands of Kids Around the Globe to Participate in The World's Largest Swimming Lesson(TM) - June 3, 2010

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 10,000 children on 4 continents will bob, float and flutter kick their way into the record books by participating in The World's Largest Swimming Lesson(TM) at 2 p.m. GMT on Thursday, June 3rd.

Hundreds of aquatic facilities from Disney's Typhoon Lagoon near Orlando, Florida to swim schools in Orange Country, CA to community centers in the Bronx, to locations as far reaching as Zambia, Lebanon, Dubai, and the USAG-Humphreys in South Korea are participating in the program to build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim to help prevent drowning.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park has been designated as the official headquarters location for the international event that will set a new Guinness World Record(TM).

Tragically, drowning is the second leading cause of unintended, injury-related death of children ages 1-14. In fact, more than one in four fatal drowning victims are children 14 and younger. And, research shows if a child doesn't learn to swim before the 3rd grade, they likely never will.

Gold Medalists Rowdy Gaines and Janet Evans are championing the WLSL effort to help convey that loss of life from drowning can be prevented through awareness and training. As parents, both athletes feel a strong commitment to teaching children how to be safe in and around the water.  

Gaines, 11-time world record holder and "voice of American swimming" for the Olympic Games, will be master of ceremonies for the WLSL event at Typhoon Lagoon. "I'm thrilled to be working with The World's Largest Swimming Lesson(TM) to help spread the word that Swimming Lessons Save Lives(TM)," said Gaines. "Learning to swim and the exposure to the water safety messages that swimming lessons offer provide a fundamental first step for drowning prevention."

Evans, considered the greatest female distance swimmer of all time, will be on site for the WLSL event at the Blue Buoy Swim School in Tustin, California. "It is so important to draw attention to this issue, particularly at the beginning of the summer season," said Evans. "The World's Largest Swimming Lesson(TM) is a perfect way to bring the message to life for kids and adults."

To learn more about The World's Largest Swimming Lesson(TM) program and find a list of local participating aquatic facilities, go to http://www.wlsl.org.

The World's Largest Swimming Lesson(TM) event culminates National Water Safety Month and is being presented by a coalition of organizations including: the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, International Swimming Hall of Fame, International Swim Instructors Association, Independent Pool and Spa Service Association, Jeff Ellis & Associates, National Aquatic Safety Company, National Recreation and Park Association, Starfish Aquatics Institute, Swim For Life Foundation, United States Swim School Association and the World Waterpark Association, and sponsored by Auro-Dri(R).

For additional information or to request an interview with Rowdy or Janet, contact:

Beth Root: (913) 544-5734 or [email protected]

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE The World's Largest Swimming Lesson