Olympic Swimmers Offering Free Lessons at Palm Desert Aquatic Center This Weekend

Olympic athletes will teach children swimming and water safety in Palm Desert Saturday.

Olympic swimmers Janet Evans, Rowdy Gaines, Aaron Peirsol, Brian Goodell, Chloe Sutton, Jason Lezak, Rada Owens and Kaitlan Sandeno will participate in the second annual "Just Add SWIM" event beginning at 9 a.m. at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.

The free event, for beginning swimmers ages 5 and up, is part of the aquatic center's observance of National Water Safety Month. Besides safety and swimming instruction, there will be races, relays, water slides and diving.

Last year's inaugural event drew more then 2,500 people, according to organizers.

Evans is a former world record-holder who won five Olympic medals -- four gold -- and 45 American national titles. Gaines is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Participating swimmers will sign autographs.

For information go to www.pd.pool.com. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (760) 565-7467.

– City News Service.