COEUR d’ALENE — Kids were making quite the splash at Safe Splash Swim School on Thursday. 

They kicked, paddled and dipped under the supervision of instructors. 

While it was fun, it could save their lives. 

“We are surrounded by water. Water safety is what we’re all about,” said Jennifer Jackson, assistant general manager at the swim school on Schreiber Way. “That’s what we’re here for.” 

About 60 boys and girls ages 3 to 12 received free 30-minute lessons. It was part of The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, a global drowning prevention event launched by the World Waterpark Association in 2010. 

Safe Splash teamed up with Triple Play for The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson.  

Host locations around the world had about 40,000 kids and parents on six continents participate in the one-day event, a press release said. The program took place at waterparks, community pools and swim schools. 

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 in the U.S., according to the CDC. It reported that drowning deaths in the U.S. have increased in recent years with over 4,500 people drowning each year from 2020-22, about 500 more each year compared to 2019.  

In 2022, drowning among children ages 1-4, increased by 28% compared to 2019. More drowning accidents take place in June than any other month of the year, a press release said. 

“While research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% among children aged 1-4, research conducted by the American Red Cross in 2020 showed more than half of kids (56%) ages 4-17 can't perform the basic swim skills needed to save their life,” the release said. 

The World's Largest Swim Lesson looks to change that.

Instructor Amy Tingley took toddlers out one by one, first holding them in the water, then slowly turning them over so they could try floating on their backs. 

Learning to relax and breathe while doing the backfloat is important, Tingley said, and many of the kids took right to it.

“They're doing great,” she said. 

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting lessons at six months of age.

Vanessa Ghirarduzzi, Triple Play marketing manager, said some of the kids were comfortable in the water, while others weren't so sure about it 

The idea is to help them overcome any fears and learn some water safety basics, which is important in an area like North Idaho with its abundant lakes and rivers. 

“Having an idea of how to survive if something were to happen in water is incredibly important,” Ghirarduzzi said. 

  Safe Splash Swim School instructor Alivia Buckner high fives a toddler after a swim lesson on Thursday.