A total of 59 Bahrain residents were part of a team that joined hundreds of participants around the world at the swimming lesson that was held simultaneously at different locations in a bid to set a new world record.

The swimmers of different ages participated in Bahrain's leg of the second World's Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) record attempt at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park.

Last year's record of 3,971 swimmers was the first WLSL attempt in the Guinness World Records when people across five countries and three continents took part in the same swimming lesson simultaneously.

The event was staged to help aquatic facilities and regional, national and international water safety organisations highlight the importance of teaching children to swim.

The water park's team of lifeguards and trainers were on hand during the event to ensure safety at all times, park officials said.

The WLSL programme works to promote drowning prevention through education by focusing the energy of thousands of participants on a clear and specific message, said organisers.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park in Florida was designated the official headquarters for the event for the second year.

Drowning is the second biggest cause of unintended, injury-related death of children aged between one and 14 in the US, according to reports. – TradeArabia News Service