Uncategorized, Big Blue Benefits, Kids Activities, Kids Ideas, Parenting, Safety, Swim Instructors, Swim Lessons, Swim Progress, swim safety, Swim School, swimming, swimming lessons, Teachers 02/02/2023

At Big Blue, we are passionate about teaching children to swim. We’re equally passionate about supporting busy families. We designed our mobile app to make it even easier to have a swimmer enrolled at Big Blue.

Every parent or caregiver who brings their child to Big Blue can use the app to manage lessons to ensure a consistent swim experience, track how much your child swims in a given level and track progress overall.

Consistency is key

It’s a simple truth: Kids make the most progress learning to swim when they have consistent lessons. Regular attendance year-round at a weekly lesson ensures your child has the consistency they need to create habits, develop skills and gain confidence.

For busy families, we know juggling all the things going on with kids can be complicated. You want to be able to see instantly when your regularly scheduled weekly lessons are, and when your next lesson is scheduled. The “My Lessons” section of the app shows details on upcoming lessons and who the instructor is for each of your enrolled swimmers.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Big Blue app on your phone or tablet.
2. Select “My Lessons” on the bottom left.
3. Select the weekly lesson you would like information on.
4. You’ll see your child’s current Big Blue level and instructor.
5. You can move the weekly lesson time by selecting “Move weekly lesson” and choosing from any available weekly recurring times. You can also filter by day or instructor to help you make your selection.
6. You can add lessons to your calendar, copy the address to send to someone, or choose to “Get directions” via Google Maps all in the Lesson View.

You can also share that you’ll miss a lesson, change your weekly recurring lesson, or stop the lessons on Lesson View.

Easily make up or change lesson times

We get it; things happen! We also know you want to ensure your child consistently attends swim lessons so they keep making progress. If your child is ill, you have a scheduling conflict, or other issues arise, you can easily let Big Blue know you’ll be missing a lesson and find a convenient make-up time right from the app. You can also move your weekly lesson easily if you need to make a more permanent change.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Big Blue app on your phone or tablet.
2. Select “Make-Up” on the bottom menu.
3. You’ll see the vouchers available to make up lessons next to each swimmer’s name. Select “+” by their name to see the dates of past missed lessons.
   Let us know your child will be missing a lesson by selecting “Miss lesson(s)” and selecting one or more upcoming lessons.
4. To schedule a make-up, select “Schedule Make-Up”. You’ll see details of our make-up policy and can then filter by day or instructor and choose a convenient lesson time under “Add Make-Up Lesson.”

Swimming more makes a huge difference

Consistency with attendance – a weekly lesson year round – is a major indicator of swim lesson success.

At Big Blue, we understand it’s not just about showing up, it’s about swimming! From our carefully designed curriculum to our intentionally small class sizes to highly trained professional instructors, we’ve ensured students at Big Blue spend more time swimming than in other programs. That time spent swimming adds up!

In the app, you can easily see how far your child has swum in their current level.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Big Blue app on your phone or tablet.
2. Select “Progress” on the bottom menu.
3. Under the child’s swim level, swipe left to get to the screen that shows : Total Distance Swum”

Track your child’s progress with SplashZones™

Seeing your child make progress in the pool is what we’re all about at Big Blue. You can get an at-a-glance view of your child’s current level, the skills they’ve mastered at that level, and what they’re still working on anytime in the app.

You can view specific skills your child is progressing at, with videos of each skill. Use the convenient interface to better understand the level your child is at and encourage any practice outside of class.

You can also see the greatest distance they can swim independently. We measure these distance milestones through SplashZones™. On the app, you can quickly see the SplashZone your child has achieved and celebrate their progress as they go from first swimming 3 feet independently to increasing over time up to our most advanced level, when your child will be able to swim 1000 feet without stopping!

Here’s how:

1. Open the Big Blue app on your phone or tablet.
2. Select “Progress” on the bottom menu.
3. You’ll get a quick highlight of your child’s level and the number of skills they mastered on the Progress overview.
4. Select a swimmer to see more details.
5. Under Student Progress, you’ll see all the skills for your swimmer’s current level. Any with a filled-in red star are skills your child has mastered! Skills still in progress have a white star to the left.
6. To see your child’s current SplashZone or their SplashZone progress, click on the “Learn More” button under the blue water drop and you will be able to see their current SplashZone listed as “My SplashZone.”

Refer a friend to try Big Blue

If you’re at the park or playground and talking swim lessons with another parent, or your friend follows up to learn more about why you chose Big Blue Swim School, you can use the app to help spread the Big Blue Difference! Most locations participate in our fantastic referral program. If the referral program is available at your pool, you will be able to access the referral link directly in your app. When you refer a friend, both you and your friend will receive a credit off swim lessons when they enroll in weekly lessons.

Here’s how:

1. Open the Big Blue app on your phone or tablet.
2. Click “Account” on the bottom right.
3. Select “Refer-a-friend” from the menu options.
4. If you want to email the referral directly from your device, select “Email referral link.”
5. If you want to copy the referral link to share in a text, via social, or anywhere else, press “Copy to clipboard,” and your unique link is copied and ready to share.

With features designed for busy families, we hope our mobile app makes it easy to navigate the warm and friendly waters of swim lessons at Big Blue Swim School.

Uncategorized, Swim Progress 01/31/2023

Form, endurance, and confidence all combine to help a child learn to swim and become safer around water. At Big Blue, we believe safety improves as your child increases how far they can swim independently. That’s why tracking – and celebrating – these distance milestones is core to our learn-to-swim philosophy.

Measuring Swim Progress

We measure swim progress by the distance a kid can swim, first with assistance and then more and more independently.

Each of our swimming lesson curriculum levels—Baby Blue, Bright Blue, Bold Blue, and Big Blue—focuses on a child learning and practicing all the elements of swimming in an age-appropriate way. It’s all part of the work to master staying afloat, breathing, and propelling through the water.

At the first lesson, we assess and place your child into a level based on their age and ability. Since progress at Big Blue is highly individualized, your child isn’t bound to their starting level for a set amount of time. Working at their own pace, your swimmer will pass all skills required for their current level to move up to the next level.

Curious about what skills your child needs to pass? Click on the “Progress” section of the Big Blue mobile app

An effortless glide through the water is the ultimate goal. To get there, we start with building comfort then confidence in the water. Each week, your child works on improving technique, developing muscle memory, and increasing endurance.

What are Splash Zones™?

Within all our curriculum levels, we’re keeping an eye on the ultimate goal: a child successfully swimming greater distances. Weekly lessons and ribbons earned are focused on specific distances that increase with each level, from the first 3 feet of swimming achieved. Splash Zones™ are our way of measuring these distance milestones. In order to graduate from our most advanced level, Big Blue, your child must be able to swim 1000 feet, or longer than three football fields, without stopping or touching the bottom of the pool! That’s a BIG moment for kids!

Our focus on how far a child can swim as part of their progress is critical to what we mean by wanting families to experience the Big Blue Difference. We believe that for kids to be truly safe in the water, they need to not only know how to stay afloat, they ultimately need to be able to propel themselves to safety, whether in a natural body of water or at the pool.

Achieving Mental Milestones, Too

In seeing their Splash Zones™ grow, kids are also experiencing the potential of endless possibilities. Incremental progress adds up, in the pool and out. We know learning to swim is a big deal. Even better? The confidence boost of everything from tackling a first fear of water to reaching that 1,000-foot milestone infuses in kids the belief that they really can do anything.

Let’s not forget your parental mental milestones. As your child masters longer distances and grows more confident, you’re unlocking peace of mind that your child is not only safer in the water but also ready to take on challenges in their daily lives.

Easy to Track, Easy to Celebrate

Consistent practice is essential to swim success. That’s why we built our mobile app. Our mobile app allow our parents and swimmers to see in real-time what they are working on and accomplishing in their swim lessons week-to-week. You can also control your schedule so swimming fits into your family’s busy days. Adding another weekly lesson or drop-in lesson or scheduling a make-up lesson is easy when the schedule is in your hands.

A practical understanding of your child’s swim progress is also a benchmark for how safe they are around water. Our distance-based curricula let you stay up-to-moment with your child’s progress, and the app enables you to view it from anywhere, anytime.

Whether it’s unlocking a new skill, progressing to the next swim level, or smiling throughout a swim lesson, there are so many Big Moments ahead for your child at Big Blue. Keep an eye on your email for you next distance milestone that your child reaches. Time for a celebratory ice cream?

Uncategorized, Big Blue Benefits, Kids Activities, Swim Instructors, Swim Progress, swim safety, Swim School 11/10/2021

October 22, 2021, FAIRFAX – One of the fastest growing swim school franchises, Big Blue Swim School today announced the opening of its fourth location in Northern Virginia following its recent successful opening of Chantilly in June 2021.

The newest Fairfax location (located in the Fair City Mall at 9650 Main St. Fairfax, VA 22031) will offer weekly swim lessons year-round for children ages three to six months to 12 years of age. Staying true to Big Blue’s vision of creating a stress-free learn-to-swim experience, every aspect of the Fairfax location will be thoughtfully designed, from the pool layout to the scheduling technology, making it easy for families to schedule multiple kids of various levels and ages to swim during the same 30-45 minute timeframe. This Is just one of the ways Big Blue sets Itself apart from other swim school brands. “With 90-degree, ultra-clean water, a comfortable viewing area that manages for cleanliness and sound, free Wi-Fi, plenty of private changing areas, and capacity for parents to schedule multiple kids to swim at the same time, Big Blue makes It easy to enjoy a weekly swimming lesson routine,” said Chris DeJong, Big Blue’s Founder and President. This will be the brand’s 11th location In their business portfolio.

“We are thrilled to continue to expand within the Northern Virginia market to help children develop a critical life skill that will teach kids to be safer In the water,” said Tom Dolan, President of East Coast Operations for Big Blue Swim School. “Our mission Is to unlock kids’ potential In the water and our swim lessons are led by a team of best-In-class Instructors that have extensive training and guide little swimmers every step of the way. Big Blue strives to teach kids to swim confidently and In turn, they gain skills needed on how to be safe, happy, and confident swimmers.” Dolan, an Arlington native, who won back-to-back Olympic gold medals In the 400-meter Individual medley, opened his first swim school (Tom Dolan Swim School) In 2012 following his Impressive Olympic career. Earlier this year he joined the Big Blue team and maintains an Integral role In the expansion and management of  the Big Blue Swim School brand In Northern Virginia.

To stay Informed of Big Blue’s progress In Fairfax, or to learn more about the special pre-opening deals and the programs offered, visit https://bigblue.link/FairfaxPR or follow Big Blue on Facebook and Instagram @BigBlueFairfax. For job opportunities at Big Blue Swim School Fairfax, please email fairfax@bigblueswimschool.com.

ABOUT BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL
Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong and now has pools in the Chicago and Atlanta areas. Big Blue offers an unparalleled swim lesson experience made easier and more effective by our professional instructors, proprietary technology and curriculum, and our family-friendly facilities. We create and celebrate Big Moments in the pool which lead to kids learning they can achieve anything in life. To learn more visit www.BigBlueSwimSchool.com.
# # #

Important note about COVID-19 protocol: The health and safety of Big Blue swimmers, families, and staff is our top priority. We are continuously monitoring all federal and local guidelines as they pertain to the safe operation of our pools during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do everything possible to keep our facilities clean and safe with robust protocols around enhanced cleaning practices, social distancing in our facilities, personal protective equipment, and supportive policies for illness and absence. Big Blue pools have a state-of-the-art filtration system that goes beyond standard pool operation protocol to keep our water ultra-clean, and separate HVAC systems to bring fresh air from outside to our pool decks. Our most up to date practices and policies can always be found on the Health and Safety page of our website. Finally, according to the CDC, there is no current evidence that COVID-19 can be spread through the use of pools.

Uncategorized, Big Blue Benefits, Kids Activities, Parenting, Swim Instructors, Swim Progress, swim safety, Swim School, swimming 01/28/2021

January 28, 2021, CENTENNIAL – Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest growing swim school franchises is coming to the Denver area this spring with its first pool located in Centennial at the Smoky Hill Town Center. The company plans to open additional pools in the Denver market, making their exceptional swim program available to even more families in the region.

The Centennial pool is owned and operated by franchise partners and Denver-based entrepreneurs, Erik and Wendy Skaalerud.

“We are incredibly excited to dive in and open our first Denver-area pool in Centennial,” said Wendy Skaalerud. “Big Blue Swim School provides an exceptional learn-to-swim experience through a team of highly trained, professional swim instructors who are passionate about the mission they deliver. We can’t wait to bring these important, critical, and fun swimming lessons to South Denver including Centennial, Aurora, Parker, and beyond.”

The Centennial pool will be open seven days a week and swimming lessons are offered for children ages six months to 12 years of age. Big Blue has four curriculums of instruction, spanning 11 levels. With weekly lessons running year-round, Big Blue offers flexibility to start and stop lessons at any time. Each child progresses to their next swim level as soon as they achieve the skills required, not when they complete a set number of classes.

“The program Big Blue developed has transformed the way swim lessons are taught,” said Erik Skaalerud. “We make sure that with each visit, every child gains skills and confidence in the water. Doing this allows us to go from the development of swimming skills such as stroke, breath, and movement, to the development of important life skills like courage, perseverance, and hard work.”

In addition to hiring only professional swim instructors, Big Blue sets itself apart from other swim school brands by allowing parents to schedule multiple children to swim during the same 30–45-minute timeframe. “Most schools don’t have the capacity to offer a variety of skill levels all at the same time,” said Wendy Skaalerud. “Parents can use Big Blue’s unique technology to schedule, and if needed, reschedule lessons easily on their phone or tablets. We also provide parents with real-time lesson progress reports, so they know exactly how a child is doing in each class.”

The Centennial Big Blue pool is located at 20153 E. Smoky Hill Road, near King Soopers. Like all Big Blue Swim Schools, the space is designed to maximize comfort for both children and parents. “With 90-degree, ultra-clean water, a comfortable viewing area that manages for cleanliness and sound, free Wi-Fi, plenty of private changing areas, and capacity for parents to schedule multiple kids to swim at the same time, Big Blue makes it easy to enjoy a weekly swim lesson routine,” said Wendy Skaalerud.

The Skaaleruds are franchise industry veterans as early investors in Orangetheory Fitness. They grew their Denver-based Orangetheory franchise to 30 locations before selling in 2018. They currently have a five-pool agreement with Big Blue Swim School, and as they prepare to open their first Denver location in Centennial, the Skaalerud’s are scouting real estate for four additional Big Blue pools in the surrounding areas.

Big Blue Swim School currently operates pools in Chicago and Atlanta. The company has franchise agreements for another 123 schools in 19 states and plans to add another 50 pools in 2021.

To stay informed of Big Blue’s progress in Centennial, or to learn more about special pre-opening deals and the programs offered, visit bigblue.link/PR_Centennial or follow Big Blue on Facebook @BigBlueCentennial and Instagram @BigBlueCentennial. For job opportunities at Big Blue Swim School Centennial, please email Centennial@bigblueswimschool.com.

ABOUT BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL
Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong and now has pools in the Chicago and Atlanta areas. Big Blue offers an unparalleled swim lesson experience made easier and more effective by our professional instructors, proprietary technology and curriculum, and our family-friendly facilities. We create and celebrate Big Moments in the pool which lead to kids learning they can achieve anything in life. To learn more visit www.BigBlueSwimSchool.com.
# # #

Important note about COVID-19 protocol: The health and safety of Big Blue swimmers, families, and staff is our top priority. We are continuously monitoring all federal and local guidelines as they pertain to the safe operation of our pools during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do everything possible to keep our facilities clean and safe with robust protocols around enhanced cleaning practices, social distancing in our facilities, personal protective equipment, and supportive policies for illness and absence. Big Blue pools have a state-of-the-art filtration system that goes beyond standard pool operation protocol to keep our water ultra-clean, and separate HVAC systems to bring fresh air from outside to our pool decks. Our most up to date practices and policies can always be found on the Health and Safety page of our website. Finally, according to the CDC, there is no current evidence that COVID-19 can be spread through the use of pools.