World's Largest Swimming Lesson aiming to break swim lesson participation record

Set to be held on Tuesday 18th June, this year's World's Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) event is again looking to break records.

The simultaneous global event, which aims to help raise awareness of the importance of teaching children to swim and reduce drownings (the worlds second leading cause of accidental death among children aged one to 14), will be taking place in aquatic facilities in 14 countries on five continents.

In 2011, WLSL featured more than 20,000 participants - a new Guinness World Record. This year, facilities in Australia, New Zealand and across Asia are participating in the event.

Olympic Gold Medalists and official WLSL spokespeople, Rowdy Gaines and Janet Evans, championed the event 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 explains "we're very excited to see such terrific growth ... the huge jump in numbers demonstrates the strength of the program and its message."

Evans adds "it is so important to draw attention to this issue. The World's Largest Swimming Lesson is a perfect way to bring the Swimming Lessons Save Lives message to life for kids and parents."

The World's Largest Swimming Lesson was created as a platform to help aquatic facilities and the many different regional, national and international water safety and drowning prevention organisations work together to communicate the fundamental importance of teaching children to swim.

For additional information contact Beth Root on email: bbuda@wlsl.org, www.worldslargestswimminglesson.org/

8th June 2012 - TIME TO BE PART OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST SWIM LESSON