World's Largest Swimming Lesson™ (#WLSL) Taking Place Throughout the Day on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 600+ Locations in 25 Countries

IMPORTANT Safety Information for the Official Start of Summer - Visuals of Tons of Kids Having Fun and Learning Life-Saving Water Safety Skills

Organizers Kick-Off Event with #Learn2SwimChat on Twitter at 1PM ET, 6/21

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World's Largest Swimming Lesson

Jun 21, 2017, 12:58 ET

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

WHO: Tens of thousands of kids at more than 600 waterparks, pools and swim schools in 25 different countries around the globe are working together on Thursday, 6/22 to battle the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4 and second leading cause of death for kids under 14.

The 8th Annual World's Largest Swimming Lesson takes place, Thursday, June 22nd at more than 600 aquatics facilities in 25 countries around the globe. Tens of thousands of kids from Boca to Brazil to Bahrain, participate to learn vital, life-saving swimming skills and the importance of focused adult supervision for all water related activities Learn more at WLSL.org #WLSL #Learn2SwimChat #SwimLessonsSaveLives #WednesdayWisdom #1stdayofSummer

WHAT: The WLSL (#WLSL @TheWLSL) is celebrating its 8^thyear of raising awareness about the vital importance of teaching kids to swim to help prevent childhood drowning. Launched in 2010, the annual event coordinates the efforts of hundreds of aquatics facilities on five continents to spread the message Swimming Lessons Save Lives in their local communities. To date, the program has generated more than half a billion life-saving media impressions with almost 200,000 kids participating. Learn more at WLSL.org.

WHERE: WLSL is taking place at waterparks, community pools, YMCAs, swim schools and in open water locations in 46 states in the US and 25 countries around the globe including: Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Ghana, India, Italy, Japan, The Republic of Korea, Mexico, Poland and the United Arab Emirates to name a few. A list of locations, addresses and local contact information can be found at: http://www.wlsl.org/WLSL/Locations.aspx

WHEN: Thursday, June 22, 2017. Local event times vary by location.

WHY: Childhood drowning is preventable. The WLSL program works to help parents understand they must remain vigilant at all times when supervising children in and around water, and the vital importance of teaching young children water safety and swimming skills. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children aged 1-4, yet many children don't 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 other weeks during the summer.

Interviews/Visuals: Children and parents participating/learning swimming skills at all locations. Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines, spokesperson for the event, available for Skype interviews. WLSL event organizers available for comment. B-roll/photos available upon request.

Contact:
Aleatha Ezra
[email protected]
Phone: 913-599-0300 x 11

SOURCE World's Largest Swimming Lesson