BOWIE, Md. – On Thursday, June 17th, 2021, tens of thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities around the world will unite for the 12th year in a row to make noise that Swimming Lessons Save Lives™. A global event, The World's Largest Swim Lesson ™ (WLSL), will be taking place over the course of 24 hours at hundreds of aquatic centers, swim schools and waterparks. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

With a whole year of learn-to-swim programs lost in 2020, the need to provide children with access to formal swimming lessons this summer is more important than ever. Tragically, in the U.S. drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury related death for children ages 1-4, 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 to 4, yet many kids do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.

Bowie State will be serving as an official Host Location Facility for the WLSL 2021 event. Parents are invited to learn more about this phenomenal event by visiting WLSL.org and contact the aquatics coordinator for more information. About: The World's Largest Swimming Lesson was created to raise awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim to prevent childhood drowning. Since its inception, more than 320,000 children and adults have participated in WLSL Lessons generating more than two billion media impressions about the importance of learning to swim.

Please join us to take part in the worldwide event. You can sign up for a lesson on line. Lessons are being offered at 9:00, 10:00, 12 noon, 1:00, 5:00, and 6:00pm.
To learn more about this phenomenal event by visiting WLSL.org and contact Mark Wascavage, the Aquatics Coordinator at Bowie State University at mwascavage@bowiestate.edu or call Mark at 301-860-4739 for more information.

Important registration information:
· Each lesson is 40 minutes long
· Each hour will have 2 groups
· Each group will have an instructor and an aide
· Each hour is limited to 16 people
· Lessons are for beginner and intermediate swimmers of any age
· The shallow end of our pool is 4 feet deep, small children may not be able to stand up
· Everyone must wear a swimsuit while taking lessons

About: The World's Largest Swimming Lesson was created to raise awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim to prevent childhood drowning. Since its inception, more than 320,000 children and adults have participated in WLSL Lessons generating more than two billion media impressions about the importance of learning to swim.