The Chatham County Aquatic Center participated in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson Thursday, drawing 54 children and instructors to the facility off Sallie Mood Drive.
Ramon Barboa, 5, was among the children learning how to swim.
“To be able to swim is awesome,” he said. “I like it so much, everything about swimming.”
Mary Ryan Buchanan, program director of the aquatic center, said the facility chose to participate because the ability to swim can be the difference between life and death.
“The purpose of the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is to raise awareness of the importance of learning how to swim,” she said. “Learning how to swim can save your life. Unfortunately, drowning is a very preventable tragedy. As long as you know how to swim, you won’t drown.”
Buchanan implored parents to watch their children diligently when they’re in the water and for their children to ask before they get in, regardless of the body of water.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that about 250 children younger than 5 years old drown each year in swimming pools.
Whether the center helped break a world record isn’t yet known, Buchanan said.
“We won’t know until we submit all of our records,” she said. “Hopefully, we’ll hear something by (today).”
She added last year’s record was 20,000 participants in 13 countries on five continents.
“We’re hoping this year we’re going to break the record.”
Jamie Jenner is an aquatics instructor, serving in various pools.
“I think it’s absolutely great,” she said. “I’m from Arizona where almost everyone has pools. There are a lot of drownings. It’s completely imperative to sign up for swimming lessons as drowning prevention. I think it’s great that this was a free thing offered to everyone.”
She said it was awesome that she could be a part of perhaps establishing a new world record.
Ramon said he aspires to break another world record.
“I want to be the world’s youngest inventor,” he said.
Does he have a blueprint for his device, the Worky Work 3000?
“We’re out of ink at home,” he said.