Water Safety Fest helps hundreds learn lessons with warmer weather on the horizon [Video]

In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we trade our backyard hockey rinks in for flip-flops and pontoons around Memorial Day — splashing, swimming and enjoying every second of Minnesota summers. But data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shows that in 2023 alone, 42 drownings were reported and eight others drowned after various types of boating accidents.

“I think a lot of people think, ‘Well, I’m wearing a life jacket,’ or, ‘I’m going to be in shallow water,’” Linda McKee, an associate department director and director of aquatics at the University of Minnesota said.

The aquatics center was the host of the third annual Water Safety Festival, where around 700 kids and adults took free swim and dive lessons, did yoga on paddle boards and, in true Minnesota fashion, learned how to play underwater hockey.

McKee …