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FAMILIES in Bahrain are being urged to visit The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park (LPOD) on Tuesday and join thousands of kids and adults at aquatics facilities around the globe to set a new record for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL).
The free event linking continents aims to build awareness about the importance of teaching children how to swim in order to prevent drowning – a tragic but avoidable summer curse in Bahrain.
Tragically, drowning is one of the leading causes of unintended, injury-related deaths of children aged one to 14.
LPOD, located at Al Areen, is an official ‘host location’ for the 2011 record-setting event, taking place from 5pm.
“Learning to swim and the exposure to the water safety messages that swimming lessons offen provide is a first step in drowning prevention,” said Adam Alexander Page, head of marketing and PR at LPOD. “It is so important to highlight this issue particularly at the beginning of the summer season. The WLSL is a perfect way to bring the message to life for kids and parents.”
The record-breaking attempt will involve a 45-minute session offering a general overview of safe entry into water, breathing and submerging, floating and swimming stroke techniques.
A DJ will also be on hand to entertain participants. You do not need to know how to swim to participate and even those who have mastered the basics of swimming can refresh their skills to make everyone safer in and around the water. Open to all ages, everyone who takes part will receive a certificate.
The inaugural WLSL event established the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson ever conducted in 2010 when almost 4,000 participants across 34 US states, five countries and three continents participated .
Organisers are confident that with Bahrain now on board they can beat the record. The WLSL programme works to promote drowning prevention through education by focusing the energy of thousands of participants on a clear and specific message all at the same time.
Last year water parks around the world, all taught the same swimming lesson at the same time with one goal – to send the message that Swimming Lessons Save Lives.
LPOD offers longer, structured learn-to-swim programmes and will be closed as a water park on Tuesday, opening especially to host this event.
For more information contact Mr Page on 36048649, via e-mail at PR@LPODwaterpark.com, or visit www.wlsl.org
