World's Largest Swimming Lesson™ set for Thursday, June 21, 2018

Lisle, IL – On Thursday, June 21, from 10:00-10:30am, the Lisle Park District’s Sea Lion Aquatic Park invites residents and nonresidents of all swimming abilities ages 3-16 to participate in a free swimming lesson. Registration is now open and ends on Monday, June 18!

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) provides kids and parents exposure to life-saving water safety skills and builds awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim to help prevent drowning. Organizers of this global event are working to connect the dots between the real risk of childhood drowning and the need for basic water competency skills and crucial parental supervision to keep kids safe in and around the water. Research shows:

· The problem is life threatening for children: Per the CDC, drowning remains the leading cause of injury related death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause for children under 14. Internationally, the World Health Organization estimates drowning is one of the top five causes of death for people aged 1-14 in 48 of the 85 countries it monitors.

· Many lack basic swimming skills: In 2014, a survey completed by the American Red Cross found more than half of all Americans (54 percent) either can't swim or don't have all of the basic swimming skills.

· Parents don't recognize supervision is key: According to a 2016 Safe Kids Worldwide report, despite the fact that lack of supervision played a role in the majority of drowning deaths, less than half of parents (49 percent) indicate they remain within arms' reach of their child in the water.

More than 41,000 swimmers in 27 countries on 6 continents participated in 2017 to help spread the word that Swimming Lessons Save Lives™. Each year, WLSL events provide more than 20,000 man-hours of water safety training in a single day. Since its inception in 2009, more than 230,000 children and adults have participated in WLSL lessons. Visit WLSL.org to learn more.

The Lisle Park District and Sea Lion Aquatic Park are proud to be a part of this important initiative and invite residents and nonresidents ages 3-16 to participate. All swimming abilities are welcome. Participants will be divided into groups by age. Please call the Lisle Park District Recreation Center at 630-964-3410 to register by Monday, June 18. On June 21, arrive at Sea Lion Aquatic Park, 1825 Short Street in Lisle, a few minutes before 10:00am to check-in prior to the swimming lesson. Learn more at lisleparkdistrict.org/sealionaquaticpark.

The Lisle Park District provides a variety of leisure activities for people of all ages throughout the year. Park district facilities include Lisle Community Park; the Recreation Center which houses Gentle Learning Preschool, SEASPAR, the Senior Center, and multipurpose rooms; Sea Lion Aquatic Park; River Bend Golf Course; Wheatstack – A Midwestern Eatery & Tap and numerous neighborhood playgrounds and parks offering amenities such as tennis courts, ball fields, walking paths and picnic areas totaling close to 400 acres. It is the mission of the Lisle Park District to enrich the quality of life for people of all ages by providing constructive and creative leisure opportunities. For more information about the Lisle Park District, please call 630-964-3410 or visit lisleparkdistrict.org.

###