Families brought kids to pools across Texas Thursday for the "World's Largest Swimming Lesson." The World Waterpark Association launched the project in 2010 and says 383,000 people in 53 countries have participated since then.
Cities and amusement parks in Texas all held swim lessons at the same time Thursday. Hawaiian Falls locations in Mansfield and Roanoke joined.
"It's definitely part of being something that's bigger," says Roanoke Park Director Courteney Castle. "It spans across the globe, so it's a cool message that swimming lessons save lives."
Castle says Hawaiian Falls offered swim lessons, but events like Thursday's can also bring attention to the need to understand safety measures around water.
"It's not just teaching the basics of swimming. It's teaching the safety of how to get in and out of the pool, when to call an adult. There are really some advanced water safety skills here, too, more than just swimming," she says.
One mom said she was glad for those other lessons beyond the basics of swimming.
"My kids know how to swim, but I do worry when we go to the lake, do they remember they can't go into the water without parents?" she said.
Another said she makes sure to always be in the water with her kids, but the lesson can help her kids understand the importance of water safety.
"It was fun," she said of the swim lesson. "It can never hurt to learn more about water safety."
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services says 34 kids have drowned in the state this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says drowning is the leading cause of death for kids one to four years old and the second leading cause of death for kids ages five to 14.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says the risk of drowning drops 88% for kids who receive formal swim lessons by age four but says a survey by the Red Cross showed 56% of Americans cannot swim.
Hawaiian Falls' Castle says, even with clouds and rain Thursday, their parks were getting ready for crowds when hot weather returns this weekend. In addition to parks in Roanoke and Mansfield, Hawaiian Falls also has a location in Waco.
"We're expanding. We're adding some pretty cool new rides and features to all our parks," she says. "We're gearing up for a busy summer and just creating new memories for families."
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