Suburbs part of try to set record for World's Largest Swimming Lesson
Children and adults plunged into pools across the suburbs Friday as part of an effort to break a world record for the largest lesson.
It was the fifth consecutive year for the World's Largest Swimming Lesson. Organizers said the event spanned 13 countries and is meant to call attention to research showing formal swimming lessons and water safety training can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children ages 1 to 4.
Organizers said they hope Friday's turnout winds up beating their Guinness world record of 32,450 participants for the simultaneous swimming lesson over five continents. The lessons went from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Guinness will receive 237 names of participants who signed in at the Family Aquatic Center at Community Park in Addison. Lifeguards, swimming instructors and children were part of the action.
Deb Pfaff, a marketing and communications coordinator for the Addison Park District, said the teachers provided 20-minute, free lessons that included having children kick while holding on to the pool's side and blowing bubbles with their faces in the water.
Addison's aquatic center and fitness supervisor, Erin Rohde Chapa, said she was happy with how the day went.
"It was a fun event with oldies playing on the radio, kids learning safety skills and everyone enjoying the pool," Chapa said.
Gurnee Park District's Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center joined the effort as well. Jennifer Gilbert, marketing and public relations manager for the Gurnee park system, said about 50 kids got into the pool, and few whose parents registered them in advance indicated any swimming experience.
She said parents provided positive feedback about the effort.
"Everyone had fun and felt very important for being part of trying to break a world record," Gilbert said. "We received lots of inquires about swim lessons and hope that this event, along with so many agencies participating, helps to bring important attention to water safety."
Another suburban venue for the World's Largest Swimming Lesson was Chicago Swim School in Arlington Heights. That's where Jonah Bishop, 5, of Arlington Heights, was spotted receiving flotation instruction during facility leader Nicole Popejoy's class.
Other World's Largest Swimming Lesson locations Friday included KeyLime Cove Indoor Water Resort in Gurnee.