June 20 -- Day For World's Largest Swimming Lesson

On Friday, June 20th, 2014, tens of thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities around the world will unite for the fifth year in a row to set a new Guinness World Record™.

The global record attempt for The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL), will take place at 10 am local Crystal Lake time. Team WLSL holds the current Guinness World Record™ for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson, which stands at 32,450 participants representing 13 different countries across five continents! The 2013 WLSL event generated more than 50 million media impressions, spreading the event’s important message to hundreds of thousands of families.

Tragically, drowning remains the leading cause of unintended; injury related death for children ages 1-5, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children aged 1-4, yet many kids do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.

Crystal Lake Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive will be serving as an official Host Location facility for the WLSL 2014 event. No registration is necessary to participate and this event is open and free for all ages (usual daily beach admission fees apply). Just stop by Main Beach!

To learn more about this event contact the Crystal Lake Park District, (815) 458-0680, ext. 217, kbuscemi@crystallakeparks.org.