Seventeen locations in Brevard, Flagler, Marion, Orange, Osceola and Volusia counties played host to the World's Largest Swimming Lesson on Friday.

Tens of thousands of people, all over the world got in the pool today for the Guinness World Record attempt.

And 17 Central Florida pools, from Flagler to Osceola took part in today’s event.

Officials wanted to make sure participants knew today’s even isn’t just about setting a record, it’s also about saving lives.

"Think so you don't sink," a motto eagerly picked up by nearly 400 people who visited the Bob Makinson Aquatic Center in Kissimmee on Friday.

With a packed pool, people of all ages learned a thing or two about swimming safely.

“The more children we can get into the swim lessons the more they are going to be prepared to go out into all of the areas in Florida and in the Kissimmee and Central Florida Area,” said Tom Werts, the mermaid aquatics swim instructor.

And according to the Florida Department of health more children under the age of four lose their lives to drowning more than any other state in the entire nation.

In fact, the Florida Department of Health told us that over the past five years 408 people have died from drowning’s in the central Florida area alone. With the highest numbers in Orange, Brevard and Volusia Counties.

That’s why Sandy Andriaccio felt like it was important to bring her daughter, Momo, to Friday’s swimming lesson.

“I think with so many pools and so many retention ponds, so much water ... even the beaches. You are just so close to both coasts you really need to teach your kids how to swim," said Sandy Andriaccio, who's children participated.

Momo has had many swimming lessons, and has a great passion for the water. Her instructor, Tom Werts, says more people need to have that same passion for swimming, and hopes the attempt to set the record for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson Friday, gets more people in the water.  

“Get them an education and a skill development so that if they are around water, they are going to be safe,” said Werts.