Palm Coast participates in World's Largest Swimming Lesson

Tens of thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities around the world will unite for the fourth straight year to set a new Guinness World Record. The global record attempt for the World's Largest Swimming Lesson will take place at 11 a.m. on June 18.

Belle Terre Swim & Racquet Club, 73 Patricia Drive, Palm Coast, will be serving as an official local facility for the WLSL 2013 event. Parents are invited to learn more by visiting WLSL.org or by calling Belle Terre at 386-446-6717.

Team WLSL holds the current Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson, which stands at 24,873 participants representing 15 different countries across five continents. The 2012 WLSL event generated more than 29 million media impressions, spreading the event's important message to hundreds of thousands of families.

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 organizations work together to communicate the fundamental importance of teaching children to swim.

Tragically, drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury related death for children ages 1 to 5, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children younger than 14. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children ages 1 to 4, yet many kids do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.

CONTACT US: To submit local lifestyle listings, email: accent@news-jrnl.com; fax: 386-258-8623; mail: Accent Dept., The Daytona Beach News-Journal, P.O. Box 2831, Daytona Beach, FL 32120-2831. Deadline is noon Wednesday for Tuesday publication.