OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Who: Tens of Thousands of kids from 45 states in the US and 24 countries around the globe along with Olympic Gold Medalists Rowdy Gaines and Janet Evans are participating in the World's Largest Swimming Lesson.

What: The World's Largest Swimming Lesson, an annual event first launched in 2010, to raise awareness about water safety and the vital importance of teaching children to swim. In 2015, 38,170 swimmers participated from 22 countries.

Where: WLSL is taking place at more than 700 locations including most major markets in 45 states in the US and 24 countries around the globe. A list of locations, addresses and local contact information can be found at: http://www.worldslargestswimminglesson.org/category/location/  

When: Friday, June 24, 2016. Local event times vary by location.

Why: The World's Largest Swimming Lesson was created to spread the word that Swimming Lessons Save Live™ Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children aged 1-4, yet many children do not receive formal swimming or water safety training. More drowning and near-drowning accidents take place in June than any other month and the July 4^th holiday traditionally sees an increase in drowning accidents compared to the average week during the rest of the summer. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that nearly 400 children under the age of 15 drown in a pool or spa each year, with 75 percent of those incidents involving children younger than 5. Children between the ages of 1 and 3 and African-American children between the ages of 5 and 19 are most likely to drown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interview/Visuals:
Olympic Gold Medalists Rowdy Gaines & Janet Evans, as well as WLSL event organizers are available for comment.

Media Contact: Aleatha Ezra, aezra@waterparks.org, 913-599-0300 x 11

Photo - https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160608/377169
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160623/382961LOGO
Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/Worlds-Largest-Swimming-Lesson-2016.mp4

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/worlds-largest-swimming-lesson-wlsl-friday-june-24-2016-300289632.html

SOURCE World's Largest Swimming Lesson

Related Links

http://www.wlsl.org