On Thursday, June 20, the Sedona Community Pool participated in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, a global event created to spread the message that “swimming lessons save lives.”
Members of the community were invited to participate and learn from the educational aquatic experience. The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is an organization that seeks to overcome preventable drowning, the leading cause of unintended injury-related death of children ages 1 through 4.
The year 2019 marked the 10th anniversary of the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson but it was Sedona Community Pool’s first year participating in the program. Worldwide, the event took place over at approximately 600 locations, in an estimated 20 countries and five continents.
“The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson takes place around the world on June 20 over a 24-hour period where community pools organize a free 30-minute swimming lesson to help spread awareness of the importance of children’s swim lessons,” Sedona Recreation and Aquatics Supervisor Dawn Norman said. When asked how important it is for this age group to be taught the swimming basics, Norman explained, “It’s very important, studies have shown that the risk of drowning can be reduced by 88% when children ages 1 to 4 participate in formal swimming lessons.”
Norman also mentioned the necessity of reinforcing the lessons taught during the program. “Our swim lesson program actually implements the water safety aspect,” she said. “In order to move on to the next program, the child must pass a benchmark test wearing clothes; it is teaching the child how to recover if they were to fall into a body of water fully clothed.”
The parents of the participants sat pool side and admired their children as they learned floating techniques and swimming basics.
“It is crucial that this age group is taught now, this age is when children learn the quickest and they are lessons that stick for life,” Sedona resident Irina Litvin said. “It’s mandatory to practice these lessons on a regular basis so the children can get better and more comfortable in water, especially in this area where their are so many streams and bodies of water. My children are around pools and creeks at least a few times a week, so these are vital lessons.”
The Sedona Community Pool holds swimming lessons throughout the summer. Swimming lessons are 30 minutes long and cater to all ages and abilities. They are conducted in two-week increments and held Monday through Thursday for $35 per child. Reservations must be made in person at the pool’s location.
The Sedona Community Pool is located at 570 Posse Ground Road and can be reached at 282-0112. More information can be found at sedonaaz.gov/pool.
Tristan Decker can be reached at 282 7795 or by email to editor@larsonnewspapers.com
