NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, June 24.
PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County youths are among those invited to participate in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson — an event taking place today across the nation and world at participating community pools.
The free lesson — scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Mountain View Pool, 1919 Blaine St. — is designed to offer as many area children as possible with swim lessons, said Houlton Madinger, JeffCo Aquatic Coalition vice president.
The special free lesson also will be offered at William Shore Memorial Pool in Port Angeles, although the deadline to register there was 5 p.m. Thursday, organizers said.
The free half-hour lesson in Port Angeles will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the public pool at 225 E. Fifth St.
The JeffCo Aquatic Coalition, a nonprofit coalition, is organizing the event in Port Townsend in collaboration with Jefferson Healthcare and Mountain View Pool staff.
Families interested in enrolling their children in the lesson can register at the Mountain View Commons gym from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. today.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, taught by pool staff, is free and open to swimmers and non-swimmers 5 and older.
Youths younger than 8 must have an adult guardian 18 or older with them in the water at all times.
During the event, Happenstance will perform upbeat, spirited songs from the British Isles, and children will have access to a chalk art project.
The public is invited to enjoy the music and stay to watch the lesson from the pool observation deck.
Participants can stick around for an open swim for $2 per person after the conclusion of the lesson.
Last year, more than 480 locations conducted lessons, according to www.worldslargestswimminglesson.org.
700 locations
The total number of Host Locations for the 2016 event won’t be available until after Aug. 1, but current estimates project more than 700 locations in 20 countries will participate.
Madinger said she invites the public to imagine more than 36,000 people taking the same 30-minute swimming lesson on the same day at water parks, pools and other aquatic facilities around the globe in the international effort to set a Guinness World Record.
Pool staff will be joined by local volunteers serving as registrars, photographers, timers and official witnesses, Madinger said.
“All across the world, it is exactly the same lesson,” she said, adding that the official witnesses are on hand to ensure that remains the case.
The intention of providing free swimming lessons is to prevent drownings, Madinger said.
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death of children ages 1 to 4, according to www.worldslargestswimminglesson.org.
Research cited by the group shows an 88 percent decrease in drowning risk for children ages 1 to 4 who take formal lessons.
As such, the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is designed to provide local water parks, community pools and other aquatic facilities with an event that draws attention to this issue, encourages participation in swimming lesson programs and helps spread the word that swimming lessons save lives.
“All fun, sport and employment on the water begins with being a confident swimmer,” Madinger said.
“It’s a life skill all of our children deserve to be taught.”
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Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
