Chicago Park District Aiming for World’s Largest Swim Lesson

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Photo Courtesy: Mike Curtain Photography

The Chicago Park District is looking to break a world record this summer for the world’s largest swim lesson on June 22. The Park District is inviting kids and families to its 76 swimming pools across the city as part of an international effort to spread awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim to promote water safety.

Hundreds of Chicago swimmers participated in the existing world record for the largest swim lesson that occurred in June 2014. 36,564 people in 22 countries participated in the world’s largest swim lesson at 480 locations in 22 countries on June 20, 2014, an event that was put on by the World Water park Association.

The Park District says it is more interested in promoting water safety rather than setting a world record. The district hopes to save lives by preventing drowning; the leading cause of unintended, injury-related death for children ages 1-5.

A survey conducted by the American Red Cross in 2014 found that 54 percent of Americans either cannot swim or don’t have all of the basic swimming skills. Research shows that participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children ages 1-4.

The event will take place on June 22 at 6 p.m. at different locations in the Chicago metro area.

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Chuck Kroll

6 years ago

Good on ya Chicago P & R!!!