Our series of classes with real graduation metrics provides a step-by-step path from bubbles to racing.
Every parent dreams of their child being safe, confident, and capable in the water. But how can your child’s swim journey take her from those very first splashes to gliding across the pool—or even competing on a swim team?
At Chicago Blue Dolphins, we’ve built a step-by-step pathway that takes kids from beginners to advanced swimmers with strong strokes, endurance, and a love for the sport. Here’s a guide to what that journey looks like.
Step 1: First Lessons — Comfort and Safety
It all begins with the basics. In the Learn-to-Swim phase, kids learn how to float, glide, breathe, and relax in the water. They practice safety drills like rolling to the back for air, treading water, and reaching the wall without standing.
At this stage, parents’ #1 goal is peace of mind: knowing their child is safe in the pool.
Step 2: Building Endurance and Confidence
Once kids are comfortable in the water, it’s time to build stamina. In the Endurance Building phase, swimmers learn to swim 50 yards of freestyle and backstroke with proper rhythm. They also extend their deep-water skills with treading, survival floats, dives, and turns.
For many families, this phase is about passing camp swim tests, enjoying vacations, or swimming longer distances without stopping.
Step 3: Stroke Mastery — All Four Strokes
For kids who have fallen in love with swimming, the next step is Stroke Mastery. This is where swimmers refine freestyle and backstroke, and add breaststroke and butterfly. They also learn racing skills: dives, flip turns, and how to swim in a group.
At this stage, kids aren’t just “safe”—they’re developing the skills and discipline of athletes.
Step 4: Preparing for Swim Team
The final step is readiness for a swim team. In the Advanced 2 (Swim Squad) class, kids swim longer distances (100 yards or more), practice all four strokes with strong technique, and build endurance with group sets. They also learn team skills like circle swimming and reading the pace clock.
Parents who start with a hesitant beginner often find themselves watching a confident swimmer ready to thrive on a team.
Why This Journey Works
- Progression, not pressure: Kids master one set of skills before moving on.
- Breadth of coaching expertise: Our coaches have the skills and know-how to go all the way from back floating to underwater dolphin kicks.
- Small classes, big results: Our low ratios mean personalized attention every step of the way.
- Fun, patient teaching: When kids enjoy the process, they stick with it and improve faster.
Your Child’s Swim Journey Starts Here
Whether your child is just learning to float or dreaming about a swim team, our structured pathway will get them there—step by step, with confidence and joy along the way.
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