Miami, Florida – On June 20, 2024, Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department will join a globally synchronized effort to highlight the importance of swimming lessons and water safety.
Uniting for a Cause
The Guinness Book of World Records’ World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) event, which is set to unfold across various global locations, serves as a critical platform for raising awareness about the vital need for proper swimming education to prevent drownings—a major risk, especially in regions like Florida, where water activities are prevalent. The Miami-Dade Parks will integrate this event within their Learn2Swim program, specifically targeting children aged six to 14 who are currently enrolled in swimming classes at county parks.
Participants will gather at four key aquatic centers throughout Miami-Dade County: Tropical Estates Park Pool, Oak Grove Park (Fr. Gerard Jean Juste Community Center), Wilbur B. Bell Park (West Perrine Aquatic Center), and South Dade Park Aquatic Center. These facilities will coordinate the group swimming lessons, which are scheduled to start in the morning and run throughout the day.
Lesson Plans and Safety Education
The curriculum for the day is designed to cover essential skills and knowledge critical for safe swimming. Children will learn basic swim strokes and receive guidance on how to ensure safety in and around water bodies. A significant emphasis will also be placed on the importance of constant adult supervision when swimming—a precaution that dramatically enhances safety for young swimmers.
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In alignment with the global message “Swimming Lessons Save Lives,” the event underscores a unified commitment to reducing the incidence of drowning through education. The Miami-Dade Parks department will also take on the logistical role of counting and recording the number of participants to contribute to the worldwide tally needed to set a new record.
A Local Focus on a Global Issue
Florida, known for having the highest number of drownings in the United States, faces a particularly urgent need for such educational initiatives. In Miami-Dade County alone, drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and nine. However, research indicates that participation in formal swimming lessons can lower the risk of drowning by up to 88%.
The commitment of Miami-Dade Parks to this global cause not only highlights the local dedication to preventing childhood drownings but also positions the community as a leader in proactive safety education. As thousands across the world participate in this synchronized swimming lesson, Miami-Dade’s involvement serves as a powerful reminder of the life-saving potential of swimming education.
