The Guinness World Record for the largest swim lesson is being challenged. And the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department aims to make Southeast Missouri part of the record-breaking group.

At 12:15 p.m. Friday, the Central Municipal Pool will be one of more than 700 facilities in 23 countries participating in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, an event aimed to raise awareness about water safety and the dangers of drowning and, while they’re at it, set a world record.

The World’s Largest Swim Lesson is organized by the World Waterpark Association, which set the current record of 36,564 participants at 480 locations in 22 countries.

Aleatha Ezra, a representative for The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, said they beat the record last year, but because of an error in reporting, the 2015 record remains unofficial. The aim this year is to beat both records.

Though breaking records is one goal of the event, it is not the only one. Abby Sturmer, recreation coordinator of aquatics for the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, said the aim of the event is to encourage water safety.

According to a news release from The World’s Largest Swim Lesson, drowning is the leading cause of unintended, injury-related death for U.S. children age 1 to 4 and the second-leading cause for children younger than 14.

The number of drownings and near-drownings is highest during the month of June. According to the Center for Disease Control, 10 people die from unintentional drowning daily. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Lack of swimming ability and supervision are leading causes of these deaths.

“The event promotes that swim lessons save lives,” Sturmer said.

The free event, she said, will give people who otherwise may not be able to afford lessons the chance to receive instruction, “so ultimately, we can save more lives from drowning situations.”

Employees have been given a 30-minute curriculum to use Friday. The same curriculum will be used throughout all participating facilities, ensuring every participant receives the same lesson.

About 30 people have registered for the event in Cape Girardeau, Sturmer said, and more are expected, which means there will be a higher turnout than in previous years.

“Slowly but surely, it’s getting bigger,” she said.

Registration is available at the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation website at cityofcapegirardeau.org/Parks/Aquatics.aspx. On-site registration will begin at noon Friday.

Group and private swim lessons are offered throughout the region, and enrollment, by many accounts, is strong.

Sturger said 120 students are signed up for the current three-week course.

A representative from the Jackson City Swimming Pool said the numbers are strong this year for pool attendance and the lessons offered, though exact sign-up numbers weren’t available.

At HealthPoint Fitness, 382 students have signed up for lessons in the last two years.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

1920 Whitener St., Cape Girardeau, MO