A sea of blue. Voices raised for water safety. Swim schools around the world sharing one message: learning to swim is a lifesaving skill.
On Friday, October 16, 2026, the International Swim Schools Association (ISSA), in collaboration with Myrtha Pools, invites swim schools and their communities to celebrate Teach the World to Swim Day.
The United States Swim School Association (USSSA) proudly supports this international effort and encourages our members to take part. All USSSA members are also members of ISSA, connecting our community to this worldwide commitment to swimming and water safety.
Why this message matters
Drowning can happen in seconds and is often silent. In the United States:
- Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4.
- For children ages 5–14, it is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death, behind motor vehicle crashes.
- Nonfatal drowning can cause brain damage and permanent disability.
The need extends far beyond our own communities. The World Health Organization’s 2024 global report estimated that more than 300,000 people died from drowning worldwide in 2021, with children and young people disproportionately affected.
These numbers are a reminder of why teaching swimming and water safety deserves attention throughout the year.
Swim lessons are an important part of prevention
The CDC identifies formal swimming lessons as a way to reduce drowning risk. A widely cited 2009 case-control study found that participation in formal lessons was associated with an estimated 88% lower drowning risk among children ages 1–4. The researchers emphasized that the estimate was imprecise; it is not a guaranteed reduction for every child.
For families, the message is clear: learning to swim is an investment in safety. Lessons provide an opportunity to develop swimming and water safety skills that can help reduce drowning risk.
Those skills belong within a broader approach to prevention. Children still need close, constant supervision after taking lessons. Four-sided pool fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates, appropriate life jackets, and adults who know CPR provide additional protections. Swimming ability does not eliminate drowning risk.
Turn your swim school into a Sea of Blue
Teach the World to Swim Day offers a simple, joyful way to bring this message to your community. Here are a few ways to participate:
- Wear blue. Invite children and staff to come out of uniform and dress in blue, creating your school’s own “Sea of Blue.”
- Raise your voices. Learn and sing the “Teach the World to Swim” theme song together to celebrate swimming and share the water safety message.
- Share your celebration. Post photos or short videos, with appropriate permissions, and explain why swim lessons and water safety matter.
- Start a conversation. Remind families that lessons, supervision, barriers, and other protections work together to help prevent drowning.
- Invite others to join. Welcome families, schools, aquatic centers, local councils, community groups, charities, and instructors to participate.
Join a worldwide effort
Whether your school gathers for a song, fills its lobby with blue, or shares a water safety reminder with families, use October 16 to celebrate the purpose behind your work.
USSSA is proud to stand with ISSA and our member schools in encouraging more people to learn to swim. Together, let’s celebrate swimming, raise awareness, and help more families take steps to prevent drowning.
