Recap: World’s Largest Swimming Lesson 2024

Last month, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago was thrilled to participate in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL), a global event all about the lifesaving skill of swimming! As part of this initiative, we hosted free swimming lessons that were open to everyone in our community across several YMCA of Metro Chicago Community Hubs. 

We had a great showing at our 11 participating Community Hubs: Buehler YMCA, Elmhurst YMCA, Foglia YMCA, Fry Family YMCA, Hastings Lake YMCA, Indian Boundary YMCA, Irving Park YMCA, Lake View YMCA, McCormick YMCA, Sage YMCA, and South Side YMCA! Thank you to all of the youth and families who participated in this empowering event and who did their part in promoting the importance of water safety.  

Learning how to swim is incredibly important because it helps prevent drowning. Water competency is a lifesaving skill and a vital layer of protection alongside constant, close, and capable supervision. Members of the WLSL team joined tens of thousands of kids and adults on six continents in helping build awareness about this vital cause! 

“I want to give a huge shout-out to everyone who joined in the fun at the World’s Largest Swim Lesson,” said Theodore "Teddy" Peterson, Water Works Program Director. “Your support means the world to us at the YMCA of Metro Chicago. We can’t wait to make an even bigger splash next year!” 

Want to dive into the water at the YMCA? We offer swimming lessons year-round across our association. Learn more about available programs via our programs registration webpage. Plus, the YMCA of Metro Chicago is offering free month-long swim lessons for youth, thanks to the generosity of SC Johnson. Learn more about the free swim lessons via our Blue Paradox webpage. 

Interested in a career in the wonderful world of aquatics? The YMCA of Metro Chicago is proud to offer a Water Works career exploration program, a paid opportunity where participants will obtain first-hand discovery of a variety of water-related careers! Learn more via our Water Works webpage.