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On Thursday, June 21 at 10 a.m., thousands of children and adults are invited to unite at aquatics facilities around the world to set a new global record for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL). The City of Gainesville is proud to be one of the nation’s top water safety and training organizations that joins forces with worldwide participants in order to foster education on the vital importance of swimming lessons that aid drowning prevention. The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) is joining Team WLSL to once again break a world record and send the message that swimming lessons save lives. The global record attempt takes place at three Gainesville locations: Andrew R. Mickle Pool, Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool and H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool.

Team WLSL and the City of Gainesville aim to surpass last year’s participant numbers and set an eighth Guinness World Record in this category. The current Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson stands at approximately 41,000  participants representing 27 different countries. Last year, Gainesville’s pools had 438 participants.

“Our participation is meant to draw attention to a very important message - by teaching children to swim, we are having a real impact on reducing the drowning rate among children,” explains Interim Recreation Manager John Weber. “Our goal is to get the message out to the community that swimming lessons help save lives, while having fun at the same time!”

Tragically, drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury-related death for children age one-five years old, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged one to four, yet many kids do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.

To participate in this event and be part of history, please arrive at 9:45 a.m., 15 minutes before the swimming lesson, at one of the three Gainesville host location facilities: Mickle Pool, 1717 SE 15th St.; Northeast Pool, 1100 NE 14th St.; or Westside Pool, 1001 NW 31st Dr. Registering for the WLSL allows you to enjoy the pool for the day!

If you are unable to attend the event, PRCA offers swimming lessons at all three pools during the summer. For more information please visit http://www.cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/Sports,AquaticsFitness/Aquatics/SwimLessons.aspx.

To learn more about this event, visit www.WLSL.org or call 352-334-5067.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) and the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) invite everyone to splash into the season at the Summer Heatwave Pool Party Friday, June 1 at Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool (1100 NE 14th St.). Admission to the pool is free during the party from 3-7 p.m.

At Summer Heatwave Pool Parties, youth swim, dance, listen to music and enjoy food grilled up by officers and cadets from GPD. Participants must sign in at the front entrance to the pool to receive a wristband. The dates, times and locations for Heatwave Pool Parties are:

This year’s party also features sign-up for both Summer Heatwave Basketball and Pop Warner Football and Cheer. Parents will be able to pick up registration packets for both sports.

Registration information for Summer Heatwave Basketball is available online at http://www.cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/YouthProgramsCamps/TeenSummerPrograms.aspx.

Registration for Pop Warner Football and Cheer is available online at http://www.cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/Sports,AquaticsFitness/Athletics/PopWarner.aspx.

Since 2008, Summer Heatwave has been a partnership between PRCA, GPD, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney’s Office 8th Judicial Court Circuit, and has helped thousands of local youth have a safe and enjoyable summer experience.

For program information, please contact Scott Chase, program coordinator, at 352-393-8751 or ChaseSA@cityofgainesville.org.

Memorial Day weekend is the start of summer, and all three city pools will be open for the public to make a splash. May is also National Water Safety Month, and the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department’s (PRCA) aquatics staff would like to offer a few helpful tips to make pool time a safe and fun experience for all. Please consider the following when planning and during your visit to a public pool:

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) is pleased to announce the 2018 Aquatic Leadership Camp registration is open. This exciting week-long summer camp is offered for youth 11-14 years old, with six sessions available at H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool, starting June 11.

With the summer heating up, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) has cool, free teen programs to keep the fun going all season long - Summer Heatwave is back with Coed Basketball and Pool Parties!

Since 2008, Summer Heatwave has been a partnership between PRCA, the Gainesville Police Department (GPD),  the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney’s Office 8th Judicial Court Circuit, and has helped thousands of local youth have a safe and enjoyable summer experience.

Coed Basketball: The Coed Basketball program starts Monday, June 4, and is available for kids age nine–18 (18, if still in school). Coed Basketball is open to all players, regardless of skill. Participants learn valuable skills for on and off the court. Coaches conduct a 15-minute lesson prior to every game using the Pursuing Victory with Honor curriculum from Character Counts. All athletes participating in Heatwave must attend, or they will not be allowed to participate in the games. Due to program growth, games will be held at the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Multipurpose Center, Eastside High School and Lincoln Middle School, after 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Each age group has a single-elimination tournament during the last week of play. The league champions play against a team from GPD and other City of Gainesville staff Friday, Aug. 2.

Heatwave Pool Parties: This summer’s activities kick off Friday, June 1 with a pool party to celebrate the last day of school at Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast)  Pool, located at 1100 NE 14th St. At Heatwave Pool Parties, youth can swim, dance, listen to music and enjoy some food hot off the grill. Participants must sign in at the front entrance to the pool to receive a wristband. The dates, times and locations for Heatwave Pool Parties are:

Register for Summer Heatwave in person at the MLK Center or the PRCA Administrative Office. The office is on the third floor of the Thomas Center, building B, which is located at 306 NE Sixth Ave., and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Participants are required to present proof of age at time of registration. Accepted forms are a birth certificate, a State of Florida identification card or a 2017-2018 school year identification card.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) wants to keep athletes and beginners motivated with the second race of the 2018 Gainesville Dash & Splash Race Series! The distances are a little longer, with a different race surface than the first. This is a perfect opportunity to challenge your fitness goals!