North Port aquatic center hosts world's largest swimming lesson, why it matters

 

NORTH PORT, Fla. (WINK)—Thousands of people across the globe jumped into the water for the World's Largest Swimming Lesson, an international event aimed at teaching life-saving water safety skills.

Young swimmers in Southwest Florida joined that effort. Kids filled the lazy river at the North Port Aquatic Center for the event.

"Well, I think I learned about kicking your legs in the water, putting your face in the water, and kicking your legs," said Rylen Dynarski, a 5-year-old swimmer.

When asked why learning to swim is important, Dynarski had a simple answer to a serious problem.

"Because if you don't do it, it will make you drown," Dynarski said.

Florida consistently leads the nation in child drownings. That is why Aquatics Manager Devon Poulos says lessons like this matter.

"There have been so many stories in the past couple of weeks that have hit home for us there, and it's important that we educate, and you know, swimming lessons do save lives," Poulos said. "We know 88% of kids who participate in them are less likely to drown than their peers who don't."

Poulos isn't just an instructor. He's also a dad of three.

He says for many children, the biggest challenge isn't learning a new skill—it's overcoming fear.

"When they see their friends are having fun, and they see their friends are safe there, every kid has to process those feelings," Poulos said.

Sometimes all it takes is a little confidence.

"There's a big word when we're talking about swimming, and it's called trust, and we have to know the kids have to know when Mr. Devon says, 'Jump to me, and I'm going to catch you, I'm going to catch that child every single time," Poulos said.

The event emphasized that learning how to swim can help prevent tragedy in a state where water safety remains a critical concern.