Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
Swimming lessons save lives. Because of its passion for safety, Dollywood’s Splash Country once again is hosting Water Safety Day to raise awareness and is offering a discounted ticket so more guests will take advantage of this opportunity to learn. This ninth annual event includes a free 30-minute swim lesson on Thursday, June 21. Water park guests also are invited to visit vendor booths to learn about staying safe in the water and sun. Area partners LeConte Medical Center, The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, WVLT Local 8 News and Star 102.1 join with Dollywood’s Splash Country to host the event.
Dollywood’s Splash Country season passholders and super passholders are invited to bring a friend to the water park for a special $30 ticket through July 1. For Water Safety Day only, this offer will be extended to all guests! To take advantage, you must ask for the $30 ticket at the front gate on June 21.
“Across the country, more children drown in the month of June than any other month,” explained Dollywood’s Splash Country General Manager Janet Dawson. “And, according to a 2014 survey completed by American Red Cross, more than half of all Americans (54%) either can’t swim or don’t have basic swimming skills. As a water park, we want to lead the way to educate our community about being safe in the water.”
The swim lesson happens at pools and water parks around the world on June 21—in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record™ for the world’s largest swimming lesson. Dollywood’s Splash Country is one of the participating venues. Last year, more than 41,000 kids and adults participated in 26 countries. This year, the goal is to have more than 42,000 participants worldwide!
To lead the lesson at Dollywood’s Splash Country, Olympic gold medalist Jenna Johnson and legendary swim coach Jackie Bertucci are teaming up to get swimmers comfortable in the water.
“Water Safety Day is extremely important to our local community to raise awareness about staying safe on or near the water,” said LeConte Medical Center President and CAO Gaye Jolly. “LeConte Medical Center is proud to partner with the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation and Dollywood’s Splash Country on this event.”
Time in the water can be dangerous for children because drowning remains the leading cause of unintended injury-related death for kids ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children younger than 14. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children ages 1 to 4.
The swim lesson begins at 10 a.m. at Mountain Waves wave pool. Vendor booths are open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Guests who visit the vendor booths receive a Splash Pass, allowing them to receive a prize at each booth. Once the participants have visited all vendors, they may turn their pass in for the chance to win two season passes to Dollywood’s Splash Country.
Water Safety Day and WLSL registration begins Thursday, June 21 at 9 a.m. at Dollywood’s Splash Country. The park opens to guests at 9:30 a.m. Guests should arrive early to register before the swim lesson begins at 10 a.m. Dollywood’s Splash Country admission is required to participate in Water Safety Day and may be purchased on-site or online at Dollywood.com.
