Zoombezi Bay to Host 17th Annual "World's Largest Swim Lesson" on June 25, 2026, to Promote Lifesaving Water Safety Skills

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Powell, OH – Zoombezi Bay is once again joining forces with the world’s leading water safety and training organizations as an official host location for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL). The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in the park’s Wild Tides Wave Pool, and highlights the critical importance of teaching children how to swim. Tickets are still available for this popular event.

Now in its 17th year at Zoombezi Bay, the global WLSL initiative unites aquatic facilities, swim instructors, and water safety advocates to deliver a basic 25-minute swim lesson for children and teens ages 2 years and older. Zoombezi Bay will join hundreds of venues across the globe in attempting to break the Guinness World Record™ for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson.

The swim lesson at Zoombezi Bay will be led by the park’s trained lifeguards, with all participant ratios adhering to American Red Cross safety standards. Parents are welcome to accompany their children in the pool, and the session will be structured into shorter, age-appropriate segments ranging from 4 to 10 minutes. During the event, the wave pool will be open only to WLSL participants and will reopen to the general public immediately following the lesson.

To thank guests for participating, Zoombezi Bay is offering a special admission rate of $18 per WLSL participant, which includes access to the full waterpark and the Columbus Zoo for the remainder of the day. The lesson is free for Zoombezi Bay Season Pass Holders, and accompanying guests will pay standard admission. (Children 12 years and under must be accompanied by a guardian.)

Check-in begins at 9:15 a.m. at the Zoombezi Bay Season Pass entrance, with pre-registration encouraged but not required for all guests, including Season Pass Holders. Tickets can be purchased at the admission window on the day of the event. For details and registration, visit the Events Page on the Zoombezi Bay website.

Why Water Safety Matters

Drowning remains a global and national public health concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 4,500 people drowned annually in the United States between 2020 and 2022—a significant increase compared to previous years. Children remain especially vulnerable: drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 in the U.S., and nearly 40% of drownings treated in emergency departments result in hospitalizations—three times higher than for other unintentional injuries.
Additional statistics highlight the critical need for increased awareness and formal swim instruction:

Drowning is fast, silent and preventable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause for children ages 5-14 following motor vehicle accidents. Worldwide, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death, accounting for 7% of all injury-related fatalities (WHO).
For every child that dies from drowning, another 7 to 8 receive emergency department care for non-fatal drowning. Nearly 40% of drownings treated in emergency departments require hospitalization, transfer, or further care (compared with 10% for all unintentional injuries). Outcomes of morbidity include brain damage, other serious outcomes, and long-term disability.
Many lack basic swimming skills: Over 54% of kids in the U.S. (ages 4-17) cannot perform basic water safety skills, putting them at greater risk in and around water (ARC).
Swimming lessons make a difference: Research shows that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% for children ages 1-4.
Appropriate barriers and parental supervision are key: Nearly 70% of drownings of young children occur during non-swim times. Statistics show 88% of child drownings happen with at least one adult present.
Some people have a higher risk of drowning: Drowning affects different communities disproportionately. Boys are far more likely to drown, and children with autism are at significantly higher risk. Rates are also higher among Black and Native American/Alaska Native children compared to their White peers.

These statistics reinforce the urgency of water safety education and why opportunities like WLSL are so important for families and communities.

Building a Global Movement

Since its launch in 2010, the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson has reached more than 383,000 children and adults in 53 countries across six continents, generating over 2.7 billion life-saving media impressions. Zoombezi Bay is proud to have participated in this event every year since its inception.

Before and after the swim lesson, guests can say hello to aquatic Character Ambassadors, who will be decked out in their Zoombezi best. Following the lesson, guests will also enjoy special Animal Ambassador meet-and-greets from the Columbus Zoo (weather permitting).

Zoombezi Bay is open daily through August 17, 2026, and then weekends only from August 22 – September 7, 2026. Guests can enjoy award-winning attractions throughout the season, including Conservation Tower, which was recognized among USA Today's 10Best New Theme Park Attractions. Inspired by native wildlife and conservation efforts, the attraction features three signature water slides, including two world-first experiences. As the only waterpark connected to a zoological park, Zoombezi Bay helps support the Columbus Zoo’s mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.

For additional updates about Zoombezi Bay’s attractions, events, and more, visit the waterpark’s website, and follow Zoombezi Bay on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

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About Zoombezi Bay, A Waterpark with a Purpose

Zoombezi Bay is a 23-acre waterpark that features 21 state-of-the-art water attractions, including the award-winning, world’s-first Conservation Tower; aquatic adventure area, Otter Banks; themed water slide, SoundSurfer; the multi-level play structure, Baboon Lagoon; the Pelican Point interactive water playground for the youngest guests; a wave pool; an action river; a lazy river; and more. During the regular summer season, admission to Zoombezi Bay includes the Columbus Zoo, and proceeds from the waterpark support the Zoo’s operation and mission. Please visit ZoombeziBay.com for more information.