SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — More than 100 area children on Thursday waded through the waters at Dorney Park to take part in what was billed as the World’s Largest Swim Lesson.
Waterparks, aquatic centers and swim schools across the country came together to be part of the event in its 15th year.
"The goal is to get children in a pool — in this case, Wildwater Cove — and get them comfortable with the water."Dorney Communications Manager Ryan Eldredge
"We just got a pool and I am petrified that my 2 1/2-year-old is going to be, like, 'I want to go venture outside,' and I don't see it and he goes in the pool," Leilanie Small of Wescosville said.
"Even though we have alarms, I want him to be able to swim first or at least float.”
Small brought her children, nieces and friends to participate in the swim lesson at Dorney.
“It's also great for them to be able to feel safe in themselves, too," she said.
Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom invited the public as well as community organizations to participate in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson.
"The goal is to get children in a pool — in this case, Wildwater Cove — and get them comfortable with the water," Dorney Communications Manager Ryan Eldredge said.
"Some of them may need more advanced swimming lessons. Some may just need to get in the water for the very first time with a lifeguard and feel that comfortability.”
'Grown a lot in three years'
The third time's the charm for Dorney, as it finally got a break in the weather and, in return, a bump in attendance.
“First year we had seven people and it was pouring rain," Eldredge said. "Second year it was cold and windy and just kind of a drizzle, it was 14 [people].
"And this year, it looks like, I think we're probably gonna hit 100, so it's wild. It's grown a lot in three years.”
This was the first year Dorney invited the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown to join.
"We're really happy because it's teaching them about water safety and preventing drowning."Johanna Figueroa, Boys and Girls Club of Allentown
"This is the first time for a lot of my kids ever even coming to Dorney Park, even though they live in Allentown," said Johanna Figueroa, senior unit director at the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown.
"So it's a wonderful opportunity and we're very grateful that we were able to come out and have our kids join in today's festivities.
“My kids are really happy that they're able to participate. We're really happy because it's teaching them about water safety and preventing drowning."
The group was able to bring 38 children ranging in age from 6 to 18 to join the lesson.
"We wanted to identify a group where we could find children that don't get that experience, don't get to the park, don't get in the water, and we think we found a great partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown," Eldridge said.
'More comfortable in the water'
Eldridge said that before the children arrived at the park, staff identified what their needs are and then, once they made their way into the pool, the lifeguards start to train and get the participants used to the water.
The swimmers learned basic water safety and were invited to enjoy the water park following the lesson, he said.
"I wouldn't say a lot of them are going to go home and be Katie Ledecky or Michael Phelps, but hopefully they feel a little more comfortable in the water."Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom Communications Manager Ryan Eldredge
"I wouldn't say a lot of them are going to go home and be Katie Ledecky or Michael Phelps, but hopefully they feel a little more comfortable in the water," Eldridge said.
"And they feel comfortable around lifeguards and acknowledge who they are and what they can do for them, and the kinds of things that we're looking for when they're in the water."
Swimming Zone also was on hand, providing educational materials to the groups involved.
