Community Corner
Roseville Kids Help Break World Record for Largest Swim Lesson
Roseville kids aged 3 to 14 took a half-hour swim lesson this morning to participate in the World's Largest Swimming Lesson, held around the world.
About two dozen kids paddling, floating and blowing bubbles Tuesday morning in Roseville were part of a group expected to number more than 35,000.
All around the world, a half-hour swim lesson was held at 8 a.m. Pacific Time in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest swimming lesson. Last year, just shy of 25,000 participants took lessons simultaneously in 15 countries across five continents, including many in Roseville; this year, organizers expected more than 35,000 around the world.
"The point of the World's Largest Swimming Lesson is to share the insight that swim lessons save lives," said Pam Allen, a spokeswoman with Roseville's Department of Parks, Recreation and Libraries.
According to organizers, drowning is the second-most-common cause of unintentional, injury-related death for kids ages 1 to 14.
“Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged 1 to 4,” a press release quotes Rowdy Gaines, an Olympic Gold Medalist and spokesperson for the event, as saying. “Yet many kids don’t receive formal swimming or water safety training. Drowning is preventable and the first step is insuring every child learns to swim.”
The Roseville Aquatic Center teaches lessons to 9,800 kids each year, and offers lessons year-round. Registration and more information is available on the city's website.
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