Upper St. Clair hosts World’s Largest Swim Lesson
Andrew DeBisschop, 6, attempts a few strokes while being aided by Maggie Benham, a life guard and swim instructor at the Community and Recreation Center in Upper St. Clair. For the third year in a row, the facility particpated in the World’s Largest Swimming Lessons. The event introduced young children to the sport and how to stay safe around the water.
Sam Mozes, 4, takes a leap off the pool ledge with a little assistance from instructor Annie Cavrich while Michael Witkowski and Brianna Meliton await their turn during the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson held at the Community and Recreation Center in Upper St. Clair.
With encouragement from instructor Maggie Benham, an intrepid Olivia DeBisschop, 6, looks upward in an attempt to float on her back during the World’s Largest Swim Lesson held at the Community and Recreation Center in Upper St. Clair.
When asked about breaking the world record for the largest swimming lesson, Andrew and Olivia DeBisschop shivered. They didn’t think it was “so cool.” The Upper St. Clair siblings just wanted to get warm and back into the water. “But it isn’t even warm in the water,” added Andrew.
Regardless of the water temperature, for the third year in a row, the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) event, held at the Community and Recreation Center in Upper St. Clair, achieved its main objective.
“The kids are more eager to get in the water and the parents are more eager to sign them up for swim lessons,” said C&RC aquatics coordinator Samantha Muti.
“The reason for the event is not necessarily to shatter the record, but to raise awareness that swimming lessons actually save lives. Every kid needs to take lessons and learn to swim, even if they are not going to be on a swim team or swim competitively.”
Muti pointed out that drowning is still one of the leading causes of death for children. Taking swimming lessons can help prevent that, added Muti, who has spent 13 years of her existence as a lifeguard and water safety instructor.
“Unlike other sports or recreational activities, the water can be very unforgiving,” she said. “We want every kid to be able to come into a situation, where if they fall into the water, they can save themselves.”
WLSL is all about saving lives, and since 2010, more than 120,000 people have participated in the program. On June 18, 2015, more than 900 registered locations hosted the teaching event.
“World-wide, it’s growing,” said Muti, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. “Every year, we have broken the record. When they break the record, it means the message has reached more people. So, it’s building awareness to a larger population.”
During the summer, particularly, the general populace vacations near a body of water. “Whether it’s at the lake or the ocean or the local pool,” Muti said, “we want these kids to be comfortable and safe whenever they are around the water.”
Christina Mozes, 11-month-old baby girl, Rosemary, in her arms, had that objective in mind when she registered her 4-year-old son for the WLSL. Sam had two previous lessons at Bethel Park High School, but the Upper St. Clair resident was attending the event to acclimatize before vacation.
“This was a chance to get him used to the water because we are going to be around it a lot this summer,” said Mozes, whose family enjoys camping.
For Andrew Bricker of Canonsburg and Michael Witkowski of Cecil Township, WLSL was an opportunity to add a little more structured-learning in their 5-year-old lives.
While Andrew was eager to participate, he was less than anxious to test deeper waters. “He isn’t afraid of the water,” said Lindsey Bricker, as her son clung to her side at the start of the lesson. “He wanted to be in the water, but this was just too deep for him.
“I wanted to get him used to swimming,” continued the C&RC member. “I’d like him to learn how to swim and have lessons, but he’s used to doing what he wants to do.”
Meanwhile, Michael wants to keep swimming but he is unsure whether he wants to grow up to become an Olympian. He says he likes to play basketball in the winter. “Yes,” he said. “I love the water. My dad just called me his little water bug,” he added.
Meaghan and Michael Witkowski were equally pleased with their son’s enthusiasm.
“He has had swim lessons before, but putting his head underneath the water is an issue,” said Meaghen. “We wanted him to have more formal instruction for safety reasons.”
Brianna and Jacob Meliton’s reasons for attending WLSL were purely pleasure.
“We like swimming. We love the water,” said the 5-year-old siblings.
“I liked making bubbles,” Brianna said of the exercise that helped simulate the breathing technique utilized in the freestyle.
“I liked making the cake,” said Jacob referring to Anne Cavrich’s and Jen Carothers’s method of getting their students to put their heads under the water.
Regardless, Kim Meliton was pleased with the results of the lesson.
“It’s good to immerse them at a young age in swimming because you are always around water at some point in your life,” said the twins’ mother. “In the summer particularly, everyone is around water and attending a few lessons and learning the basics gives you a good start.”
Whether young or old, C&RC is a good place to start incorporating swimming into one’s lifestyle. USC offers many group swim lessons. There are four levels for the pre-school kids, two levels for the infants and six levels for the youths, as well as plenty of private sessions.
“Our success rate has been incredible,” Muti said. “That’s why we keep getting people to come back. They don’t just stop when their kid is able to jump in the water and go back to the wall. They keep coming back and learning more and keep their kids in the water. It’s amazing to see.”
For adults, USC offers private lessons. There are three levels of instruction: adult learn-to-swim, intermediate fitness swim and a fitness swim. “We have a wide range,” Muti said. “We actually do get a lot of adults who come because their children take the swim lessons. They realize ‘wow, I never learned how to swim like that’ and ‘I have to be safe in the water, too.'”