Walt Disney World hosts almost 600 children for world’s largest swimming lesson

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – As children throughout Central Florida wish to beat the warmth this summer time, Walt Disney World hosted the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson at Typhoon Lagoon.

Nearly 600 kids from 5 nonprofits throughout Central Florida took half within the annual occasion, which Disney has participated in since 2011.

For lots of the younger contributors, it was their first introduction to swim security, a skillset that carries additional weight in a water-rich state like Florida.

“Just giving them that confidence and that important lifetime reminder of these important safety tips will stay with them, but we get to do that with fun as well,” Tajiana Ancora-Brown, director of Walt Disney World exterior affairs mentioned.

This 12 months, children bought a shock go to from top-of-the-line on this planet — Olympic gold medal swimmer and ESPN Take Back Sports Ambassador Simone Manuel.

Alongside 100 Disney lifeguards, Manuel led hands-on swim classes centered on studying and enjoyable.

“It’s not just about going out there and winning medals, but really just giving people the confidence to be safe in the water,” Manuel mentioned.

For years, Manuel has championed inclusivity by bringing water security entry to underserved communities.

“It is a passion of mine to bring water safety and swim awareness to communities of color,” she mentioned.

For Adam Hayes, the occasion marked his first swim lesson. Alongside pals from the Boys & Girls Club, he walked away with newfound confidence within the water.

“I’ve learned a bunch of moves, and since I’m in Florida, there’s a bunch of water everywhere,” Hayes mentioned.

The pleasure didn’t cease with the lesson. After studying the basics of water security, the children bought to take pleasure in the remainder of the park.

For many kids in attendance, it was their first time visiting a water park, making the expertise not solely academic however actually unforgettable.