In collaboration with the International Water Safety Foundation, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock swimming and diving team will be treading water Sept. 27 at the Donaghey Aquatic Center to raise awareness of the global drowning pandemic. 

At the same time, the Trojans will take part in attempting to break the Guinness World Record for “Most People Treading Water at the Same Time in Multiple Locations.”

“We are thrilled to be teaming up with the International Water Safety Foundation and help bring awareness to the global drowning pandemic,” Little Rock swimming and diving head coach Amy Burgess said. “The number of childhood deaths due to drowning around the world is alarming and preventable. The International Water Safety Foundation has an established drowning prevention intervention program, and funds we help raise will directly benefit children around the world in teaching them how to swim.”

The International Life Saving Federation — the global authority on drowning — estimates there are 1.2 million drowning deaths around the globe each year.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our team to not only help the International Water Safety Foundation and bring awareness to drowning but also to be a part of a Guinness World Record,” Burgess said.

If all goes to plan, the Trojans will help break the current record of 805 people. In the lead up to the event, the team is holding a fundraising campaign on behalf of the International Water Safety Foundation.

The International Water Safety Foundation is a non-profit organization raising drowning awareness while bringing basic swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills to children in developing countries. Funds raised will go to drowning intervention programs like SWIM Cambodia through the Tread-A-Thon fundraising platform.

“Please help us in supporting the International Water Safety Foundation by donating to our campaign,” Burgess said. “Together let’s help put a stop to this drowning pandemic.”

For more information and to donate, please visit this link.