The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, created by the World Waterpark Association in 2010, is a global public relations event supported by aquatic facilities, waterparks, pools, swim schools, YMCA’s, among others.
The WLSL event serves as a platform to help the global aquatics industry work together to build awareness about the fundamental importance of teaching children to swim to prevent drowning. Swimming is a life-saving skill for children and a vital tool to prevent drowning, now THE leading cause of unintended death for U.S. children ages 1-14. Research shows risk of drowning can be reduced by 88% if children participate in formal swimming lessons between the ages of 1-4. Yet, a survey conducted by the American Red Cross in 2014 found that more than half of Americans (54%) either can’t swim or don’t have all of the basic swimming skills. This CAN and SHOULD change and this is the mission of TEAM WLSL™.
Host a WLSL Event at your facility
The 2022 World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ will be held on Thursday, June 23rd. Host locations may select their own start time on the 23rd to best suit their operating schedule. TEAM WLSL™ has sent the message Swimming Lesson Save Lives™ to billions of kids and adults.
There is a $84 registration fee to register as a WLSL Host Location. This fee includes a variety of benefits, including receiving access to a comprehensive Host Location Kit, which includes lessons plans and colorful, eye-catching marketing materials, making it easier for you to share the Swimming Lessons Save Lives story with your community.
Why WLSL is important
Since its inception, more than 332,000 children and adults have participated in WLSL lessons generating more than TWO BILLION life saving, learn-to-swim media impressions. The overall success of the WLSL event is thanks to the support it has received from thousands upon thousands of people who have hosted a lesson in their facility or come out to their local pool, swim school or waterpark to participate in a live event each year.
Research shows risk of drowning can be reduced by 88% if children participate in formal swimming lessons between ages 1-4. Source: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine 2009
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ brings together tens of thousands of individuals from hundreds of communities around the globe who all participate in the same lesson on June 23rd to raise awareness about drowning and the fact that swimming is a vital life-saving skill that every child should learn.
Internationally, the World Health Organization estimates drowning is one of the top five causes of death for people ages 1-14 in 48 of the 85 countries it monitors around the globe. Swimming is a vital life-saving skill. Drowning is preventable!