Along with other host sites around the world, two Georgetown pools participated June 14 in the World's Largest Swimming Lesson, an event that attempts break the Guinness World Record and encourage water safety.

There were a total of 153 children at the Georgetown Recreation Center pool at 1003 N. Austin Ave. and the Williams Drive Pool at 3201 Williams Drive.

Event coordinators said the WLSL event goal was to get more than 20,000 children to participate.

The lesson included safety skills such as learning to call for help if the child suspects he or she is in danger, reminders not to go in deep water and the fundamentals of swimming.

"The whole emphasis is water safety," said Jean Houck, a board member of Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation and coordinator of the local WLSL event.

Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation, or Park Pals, also sponsors swim lessons for members of the Georgetown Boys & Girls Club through the Georgetown Swims program.

Park Pals is holding a swimsuit drive this summer and is collecting new or gently used boys swimsuits in a collection barrel at the Georgetown Recreation Center.

Visit www.worldslargestswimminglesson.org or www.gtparkpals.org for more information.