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Nearly 600 Central Florida Kids Learn Life-Saving Water Safety Skills at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Nearly 600 children from across Central Florida made a splash this week at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon as they took part in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, an annual event focused on teaching life-saving water safety skills. With the help of Disney lifeguards and Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel, the day was filled with confidence-building, first-time experiences, and plenty of fun in the Florida sun.
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Walt Disney World once again served as the largest lesson site in Florida for the worldwide event, which is organized each year by the World Waterpark Association. Around 100 Disney lifeguards volunteered their time to teach essential swimming techniques to children from five local nonprofit organizations, helping participants develop skills that are especially important in a state surrounded by pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches.
For many of the children, this wasn’t just their first swimming lesson. It was also their first visit to a water park. Disney says creating those unforgettable first experiences is just as meaningful as teaching water safety, giving kids the confidence to enjoy the water for years to come.
Adding to the excitement, Olympic gold medal swimmer Simone Manuel surprised participants by jumping into the water and helping lead the lessons. Manuel, who also serves as ESPN’s newest Take Back Sports Ambassador, said the event aligns perfectly with her mission of making life-saving swimming skills accessible to more children while helping them build confidence and resilience.
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The event welcomed children through five Central Florida nonprofit organizations supported by Disney: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Girl Scouts of Citrus, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, ELEVATE Orlando, and the Alianza Center. Following the swim lesson, the kids spent the rest of the day enjoying Disney’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER activities throughout Typhoon Lagoon, including attractions, games, and dance parties.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is just one of the many ways Walt Disney World is giving back to the local community this summer. Earlier this month, Disney also announced a $1.3 million investment in education programs across five Central Florida counties, continuing its commitment to creating opportunities for local families both inside and outside the parks.
Whether it’s making magical memories or teaching skills that can save lives, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon proved this week that some of the most meaningful splashes happen long before anyone heads down a water slide.
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