By Ken Storey
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death of children ages 1-14, altogether 10 people a day dying from accidental drowning. The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is a coalition of the nation’s leading water safety and training organizations that attempts to give everyone at least a little water safety information. If a child doesn't learn to swim by third grade they likely never will so this annual event sets out to provide that first step to learning how to swim.
Over 700 aquatic facilities on five continents with over 40,000 participants partook in the half hour swim lesson that simultaneously took place at 11am EST on June 18, 2013. Locally RDV Sportsplex, Sunny Day Swim School in Apopka, Coco Key Water Resort, and Aquatica all participated in the event, which is now in its fourth year.
U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member and three-time Olympic gold medalist Florida native Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines emceed the events at Aquatica. The 11-Time World Record Holder, 5-Time World Champion swimmer started the morning with interviews with local news channels in which he promoted basic swim lessons for everyone. He then went over met with many of the children about to join in the lesson before hosting the countdown to the lesson. During the lesson he swam from group to group meeting many of the children as they participated in the lesson.
In all 142 participants took part in the swim lesson at Aquatica, well above last year’s 80 participants. Orange County District 6 Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell served as the independent witness for Aquatica’s lesson. After the world record attempt each participant received a special certificate signed by the county commissioner. This is the fourth year the water park has participated in the international swim lesson.
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death of children ages 1-14, altogether 10 people a day dying from accidental drowning. The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is a coalition of the nation’s leading water safety and training organizations that attempts to give everyone at least a little water safety information. If a child doesn't learn to swim by third grade they likely never will so this annual event sets out to provide that first step to learning how to swim.
Over 700 aquatic facilities on five continents with over 40,000 participants partook in the half hour swim lesson that simultaneously took place at 11am EST on June 18, 2013. Locally RDV Sportsplex, Sunny Day Swim School in Apopka, Coco Key Water Resort, and Aquatica all participated in the event, which is now in its fourth year.
U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member and three-time Olympic gold medalist Florida native Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines emceed the events at Aquatica. The 11-Time World Record Holder, 5-Time World Champion swimmer started the morning with interviews with local news channels in which he promoted basic swim lessons for everyone. He then went over met with many of the children about to join in the lesson before hosting the countdown to the lesson. During the lesson he swam from group to group meeting many of the children as they participated in the lesson.
In all 142 participants took part in the swim lesson at Aquatica, well above last year’s 80 participants. Orange County District 6 Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell served as the independent witness for Aquatica’s lesson. After the world record attempt each participant received a special certificate signed by the county commissioner. This is the fourth year the water park has participated in the international swim lesson.
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| Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines getting interviewed |
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| Aquatica Vice President Bryan Nadeau also gave media interviews. |
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| Sign-ups were broken into age groups with plenty of lifeguards helping out |
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| Aquatica had some animals out meeting guests as they waited for the lesson to begin. |
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| Participants wait to begin their swim lesson |
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| Participants were broken into age groups with each group in different section of the wave pool, luckily the waves were turned off. |
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| Orange County District 6 Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell signs the official forms |
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| After the lesson Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines thanks all the participants |
