Uncategorized, benefits of swimming for kids, North Brunswick, NJ, Swim Lessons, swim safety 10/01/2025

North Brunswick has fun pools and plenty of lakes to enjoy a refreshing dip. However, remaining safe in and around water requires both adults and kids to have adequate water safety knowledge and skills.

Whether you want to visit the beautiful Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve or bring your kids to a birthday party at the Crystal Springs Family Waterpark, Big Blue Swim School can teach your children how to stay water safe.

Public Pools, Water Parks, & Splash Pads: Busy and High-Energy Settings

• Popular Locations: Families with kids love to visit the spacious Milltown Boro Pool and Crystal Springs Family Waterpark for family gatherings, birthdays, and vacations. If you want to make swimming a regular part of your routine, Willows Swim Club, Brookside Swim Club, and Rivercrest Cabana Club offer memberships.
• Stay Vigilant Around Splash Pads: Splash pads are great choices for children who don’t know how to swim yet, but they can be slippery. Their water jets can also startle young children.
• Be Careful Around Crowds: Water parks and public pools can get crowded during the hot weather, so consider visiting during off-peak hours and keep your children close so they don’t slip or wander into the deep end of the pool.
• Always Supervise Your Children: Lifeguards are trained to be attentive to activity in and around the pool, but it’s still your responsibility to keep an eye on your children at all times, especially in high-activity areas like water slides and splash pad zones.
• Watch Fast-Moving Attractions: Pools and parks often have wave pools, lazy rivers, and slides. In these areas in particular, it’s important to remain within arm’s length so that you can react quickly when needed.
• Be Aware of Chlorine Sensitivity: Keep an eye out for rashes, difficulty breathing, itching, scaling, crusting, or wheezing.
• Choose Clean Facilities: Pools and water attractions should be clean and well-maintained and facilities should follow proper water safety practices, such as testing the water, balancing pH levels, and maintaining pool circulation.

Backyard & Apartment Complex Pools: Less Oversight

• No Lifeguards on Duty: Unlike public pools and water parks, backyard and apartment complex pools don’t have designated lifeguards, so always have a responsible adult nearby.
• Unguarded Fencing & Gates: Children can wander out of a safe area, so one of the most overlooked water safety tips for kids is double-checking that the gates are self-latching and closed.
• Cold Water: The weather might be warm, but that doesn’t always mean the water is. Suddenly jumping into cold water can affect a person’s blood pressure and breathing, so ease children into shaded or unheated pools slowly.
• Slippery Decks: Decks get slippery easily, even if they appear dry, so use non-slip shoes, walk instead of running, and keep the deck as dry as possible.
• Chlorine Sensitivity: The chlorine levels in home or neighborhood pools aren’t always monitored as closely as they are at city pools or water parks. Watch for signs of chlorine sensitivity, such as rashes, inflammation, breathing problems, or painfully dry skin.

Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, Spring Lake Park, Colonial Park, and Kennedy Park: Water Safety Tips

• Always Wear Life Jackets: Always equip children and weaker swimmers with life jackets in case of a leg cramp, shock, or accidents–No exceptions.
• Stay In Designated Areas: Pay attention to posted signs and never go outside of designated swim zones, even if the area appears safe.
• Don’t Dive Into Lakes: Since lake water can be murky, you’ll want to guide children gently into the water to avoid the risk of colliding into rocks, logs, or unexpected shallow spots.
• Ease Children Into Cold Water: Lakes can be cold, so reduce the risk of shock and hypothermia by easing children into the water and giving them ample time to adjust.
• Provide Adult Supervision: Unattended children can wander into dark or deep areas, so make sure an adult is actively supervising.
• Check the Weather: Outdoor swimming areas can become windy and cold, so check the weather before heading out and stay close to shore so that you can react quickly to sudden weather shifts.
• Review Harmful Bacteria and Algae Concerns: Lakes can harbor bacteria and algae that can make children sick, so watch out for symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or fever.
• Stay Clear of Boat & Jet Ski Zones: Water safety includes any water-based equipment, so swim only in designated areas and keep away from watercraft.

Oakeys Brook, Lawrence Brook, and Ireland Brook: Rivers & Fast-Moving Water

• Avoid Strong Currents: Because currents can be deceptively fast, you should avoid swimming in rivers after rain or during high runoff.
• Always Assume Hidden Hazards: Rocks, logs, and debris can often hide beneath the water’s surface, so when it comes to water safety, it’s better to play it safe than sorry.
• Be Wary of Flash Floods: Even a distant storm can quickly raise water levels, so stay alert and leave the area if you suspect water levels might rise.
• Never Jump Into Cold Water: Rivers can be frigid, so wade in cautiously and slowly to avoid shock or hypothermia.
• Look for Safety Signs: Just like lakes, rivers will have designated areas for swimming, so look for signs, avoid rougher areas, and keep children from wandering outside of the zone.
• Be Mindful of Bacteria and Algae: Discourage children from drinking the water and keep an eye out for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.

Key Safety Tips, No Matter the Swim Spot

• Constant Adult Supervision: Always have an adult water watcher on duty to maintain child safety near water or in water.
• Use Proper Swim Gear: Goggles, water shoes, swim diapers, and life jackets are some of the safest water safety tools.
• Sunscreen: Use a zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
• Rinse Off After Swimming: Chlorine, bacteria, or algae can irritate skin and dry out hair, so wash off at a nearby shower or with a water bottle.
• Ensure Hydration and Take Breaks: You can still overheat even submerged in water, so always keep a water bottle on hand and take frequent breaks.
• Dry Ears Thoroughly: Moisture trapped in the ears can lead to painful infections (such as swimmer’s ear).
• Afternoon Thunderstorms: Get out of the water at the first sign of lightning.
• Pro Tip: Consistent swimming lessons reduce risk and boost water safety retention.

Why Early Swim Lessons Matter

At Big Blue Swim School in North Brunswick, we build confident swimmers skilled in water safety starting at 3 months old. Our lessons help raise awareness of common hazards, prevent accidents, and reinforce safety skills year round.

We provide indoor, climate-controlled pools as a safe learning environment for children.

Google Maps

Baby Blue (3 months – 2 years):

• Crawling along the wall
• Building comfort in the water
• Basic breath control

Bright Blue (3 – 5 years):

• Building in-water confidence
• Rhythmic breathing
• Basics of strokes

Bold Blue (6 years & up)

• Refining breath exchange
• Propelling solo through water
• Primary swim strokes

Big Blue (6 years & up)

• Building on techniques
• Refining strokes
• 1,000 ft. unassisted swimming

Adaptive Swim Lessons for all-ability children

Let’s Jump In—Safe, Fun Swimming Starts Here

Water safety is a skill anyone can learn and practice with a little help. We love helping children become confident and passionate swimmers with fun lessons and an encouraging environment.

When you’re ready to help your child learn how to swim, call or text Big Blue Swim School for a free trial!

Uncategorized, swim safety 09/02/2025

The ocean is one of the most beautiful places to build happy memories and help your children stay physically healthy, but it also requires extra risk mitigation. Beach swimming involves multiple hazards that you don’t usually encounter at a public water park or residential pool.

According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of death for children between five and 14 years old. The most common reasons for this are underdeveloped risk assessment and poor swimming skills. Educational organizations also found that children between the ages of 5 and 17 are more susceptible to danger in natural bodies of water.

Whether you enjoy visiting the beach for family gatherings or want to teach your children about nature, a careful and attentive foundation is one of your best safety tools. Our guide will teach both teens and parents practical advice on common ocean hazards, useful habits, and how to build a safety plan.

Why Beach Safety Is Different from Pool Safety

At a glance, the beach may not seem that different from a public or residential pool. However, there are many unique details that could make an everyday swimming session more hazardous.

When taking your children to enjoy beach swimming, keep in mind these important differences:

• Natural Water is More Unpredictable: The ocean is a dynamic location, filled with waves, tides, currents, and drop-offs. Its water can range from clear to very murky and dark. Compare this to a public pool where the water is still, clear, and predictable.
• Older Children May Have a False Sense of Security: Teenagers tend to view the ocean more casually, especially if they have a lot of experience swimming in pools.
• Beaches Don’t Always Have Lifeguards: Even if you trust a friend deeply, they’re still not a certified and trained lifeguard. Public beaches and lakes don’t always have lifeguards on duty, so it’s your responsibility to watch for danger. Many teens won’t have the tools or experience to notice if someone is in trouble.
• Sunstroke and Dehydration Can Be Even More Dangerous: It’s easy to underestimate the sun when cool ocean water is all around you. Sunstroke and dehydration can make people feel weak and dizzy seemingly out of nowhere, affecting their ability to swim against strong currents.

The Most Common Beach and Ocean Hazards

You may already be familiar with common beach hazards such as large waves or sharp shells buried in the sand. Let’s take a look at well-known (and lesser-known) beach swimming hazards and how to avoid them:

• Rip Currents: According to the National Ocean Service, a rip current is a localized coastal current that flows away from the shoreline. Rip currents emerge from an imbalance of water that piles up in the surf zone between the shore and the ocean. As the ocean attempts to counterbalance this water build-up, it creates a current that pushes water away from the shore. To escape a rip current, you first need to wave and call for help. After getting someone’s attention, you should swim parallel to the shore to get out of the current, then swim back to shore.
• Sudden Drop-Offs and Sandbars: According to the National Park Service, a sandbar (also known as a shoal) forms when sediment gradually piles up by the shoreline, resulting in a partially exposed or entirely submerged ridge of sand. While it looks harmless to walk on, it can cause injury if you dive into one or try to stand on one. They’re not stable enough to safely support someone’s weight. When taking your teenager beach swimming, make sure that, to avoid these tricky ocean hazards, they never dive headfirst into the ocean.
• Waves and Shorebreaks: Even the strongest swimmer can be knocked down by a heavy wave. Per the National Weather Service, a shorebreak is a powerful wave that breaks right at the shore (or very close to it) and smashes down hard, which can seriously injure a person wading or attempting to return to land.
• Marine Life:  While marine life is beautiful, many species are dangerous to humans. Teach your children how to recognize animals like stingrays, jellyfish, and sharks so they can give them a wide berth or stay out of the water.
• Heat and Dehydration: When in doubt, get out of the water and get hydrated. Heat-related illness while beach swimming can manifest as fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, and flushed skin.
• Boats and Watercraft: Fishing boats and watercraft can crash into unsuspecting swimmers, potentially knocking them unconscious or exposing them to motorblade injuries.

Beach Safety Tips for Parents

Swimming at the beach may sound a little scary in light of all these potential hazards, but it doesn’t have to be. When you take a proactive and informed approach to beach swimming, you create a solid foundation to build your children’s confidence and keep them safe.

Follow these tips every single time you go to the beach to help beach safety become second nature for your children.

• Talk with Your Children Before They Leave: If your kids or teens are going to the beach with anyone other than you, ask who they’re hanging out with, exactly where they’re going, and how long they’ll be there. Clearly discuss rules and expectations, such as emergency contact information and no-swim zones.
• Know the Location: Always research the beach or body of water in advance. Check important details such as rip current frequency or if lifeguards are on duty.
• Set Strict Check-In Times: Make sure your children keep their phones close by and instruct them to check in every 30 to 60 minutes.
• Make Sure They Have Equipment: Tell your children to wear bright colors that contrast with the water, like red, pink, or yellow. They should also take a beach kit with essentials like sunblock, water bottles, and a whistle to call for help.
• Know Their Swimming Ability: Your children may feel self-conscious if they’re not particularly skilled swimmers, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Emphasize that it’s okay to return to shore if they’re not comfortable, and stress the importance of calling for help if they feel in danger. It’s also important not to overestimate your child’s swim skills – just because they can swim for long distances or unassisted in a pool does not mean that those same skills will apply in the ocean!

Safety Tips for Kids and Teens

Are you excited to enjoy some long, fun days at the beach? Beach swimming safety tips are your best tool for keeping common hazards at bay and enjoying your outing to the fullest:

• Never Swim Alone: An accident doesn’t wait for you to be prepared. With that in mind, stay prepared by always swimming with a friend, even if you’re confident in your abilities.
• Don’t Assume Friends Will Notice You Need Help: Struggling to swim in real life looks very different than in the movies. People rarely splash around, instead sinking beneath the water silently and quickly (often within 30 seconds).
• Stay Where Your Feet Can Touch: Unless you’re with a lifeguard, always stay where your feet can touch the bottom. When you’re able to walk on the ground, it’s much easier to return to shore at a moment’s notice.
• Keep a Sharp Eye Out for Beach Safety Flags: Beaches often come with flags to warn visitors of hazards. Green means the beach is safe and low-risk, yellow means slightly stronger currents, red means very strong currents, and purple means there is dangerous wildlife nearby.
• Know the Signs of a Rip Current (and How to Escape): If you’re swimming and notice you keep getting pulled away from the shore, you’re in a rip current. Your response should be to stay calm, call for help, then start swimming parallel to the shore. Once you notice the water is no longer pulling you away, you can swim directly to shore.
• Avoid Diving or Flipping in Shallow or Dark Waters: According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, diving is the fifth leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Never dive in shallow or dark waters. Even if the water is clear and deep, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Watch the Waves: Safe beach swimming means never turning your back on the ocean. The waves will tell you how safe the water is by how small and slow they are. If the waves are large and active, go back to the beach.
• Take Breaks: If you start to feel tired, return to the shore and take a break. A little fatigue may not seem like a big deal, but it can make swimming much harder.
• Bring a Flotation Device: Tubes and floats can offer additional support while you’re swimming. However, they’re not a substitute for safe behavior! Always make sure to closely follow the advice on this list.

How to Create a Family Safety Plan

The whole family should be involved when making a safety plan. Follow these tips to make sure you’re able to use this plan effectively if something dangerous happens.

1. Make Beach Safety Part of Family Conversations: Every time you go to the beach, take a few minutes to discuss safety tips and make sure you have essential tools. Teach children how to spot dangerous beaches (such as by looking for beach flags or watching wave activity).
2. Create a Shared ‘Water Plan’ for Outings: Everyone needs to be on the same page when visiting swimming beaches. Decide who will watch the kids, where you’ll set up supplies, and what to do if there’s an emergency.
3. Use Tech Wisely: Your phone isn’t only a good tool for calling help. You can also use it to share locations with a GPS tracker or stay updated on local safety alerts.
4. Practice Drills and Emergency Calls: Teach your children how to know when they should wave for help, such as feeling tired when swimming, or encountering a rip current. You should also teach them when to call 911 and what to tell the dispatcher.
5. Encourage Older Siblings to Model Safe Behavior: Children are often more likely to listen to their peers or siblings than to adults, so encourage your older children to model safe behavior.

What to Do in Case of an Emergency

Nobody wants to think there will be an emergency when enjoying some beach swimming, but a little foresight could save a life. Follow these tips in case of the following scenarios:

• Check the Water if a Child Goes Missing: Every second counts, so always check the water immediately.
• Teach Children Not to Attempt Rescues: Many people’s first instinct when someone is struggling to swim is to jump in, but that actually puts them at risk of being pulled under, too. Teach children ‘reach, throw, don’t go’—they can throw the struggling child a rope or floatie, or call for help instead.
• Know CPR: Every parent and teenager should learn life-saving CPR. Take a local course to learn about checking for breathing, giving chest compressions, and administering rescue breaths.
• Designate a Water Watcher for Group Events: One adult should always keep their eyes on the water. This means no checking phones (except during an emergency) or taking a quick nap.

Beach Swimming Requires Vigilance and Awareness From Parents and Teens

Fatigue, heat stroke, and rip currents are just a few of the risks of beach swimming. With regular communication and thoughtful planning, you can prevent tragedies and make fun memories.

These safety tips help children learn how to respect the water, not fear it. Safety isn’t about panic, but about preparation and useful knowledge. If you want to help your children become more confident swimmers and learn more about water safety, register them with Big Blue Swim School.

Our passionate, professional instructors are excited to meet your children and help them learn lifelong swimming and water safety skills. Book a free trial with Big Blue Swim School today!

Uncategorized, benefits of swim lessons, benefits of swimming for kids, convenience, importance of learning to swim, Kids Activities, prepareforsummer, safersummerswimming, summerswimming, Swim Lessons, swim safety, water safety 03/09/2023

If you have camp and school-age kids, chances are you are deep into planning, scheduling and stressing for summer. Your child’s development is a primary concern – and a significant investment – and the summer months matter. We get it.

Summer camp can be a major stress. The sign-up scramble. The scheduling spreadsheet to ensure no overlaps or gaps. The upfront costs. The process is so all consuming, that there are national articles covering the topic and social media mom groups discussing the stress of summer camp well before the winter holiday season ever hits.

That’s why we want to make the swim lesson experience more accessible and less stressful for busy families. Swim lessons play a big part in every child’s development, since being an independent swimmer builds confidence and ensures your child has an essential life-long skill.

As you plan for summer, Big Blue is ready to complement any summer camp experience you plan. Here are five ways we make it easy to keep up with or start swimming lessons, no matter your summer camp schedule.

No Stress Sign Ups

Logging in at an exact second to be put in a queue to be accidentally kicked out when you go to pay. We’re not talking Taylor Swift tickets; we’re talking summer camp sign-ups! We want to take the stress out of signups. An easy sign-up process, a range of times that work for your family, and easy tracking of when your lesson is and how your child’s progressing – it’s all part of the Big Blue experience.

You Can Test the Waters

You get into your kid’s dream camp! But, months later, your child may be less interested in a theme camp or no longer pals with the kids they signed up with. At the same time, camp sign-ups are expensive and may not offer refunds for cancellation, and for a good reason. Camps staff their groups based on sign-ups for sessions. If your child doesn’t like it after the first day, you may be stuck with nothing scheduled and lost money. With Big Blue Swim School, we typically offer a free trial lesson to ensure swim lessons are a good fit for your kiddo’s developmental readiness and temperament. So, come test the waters with us!

Lessons Move at Your Kid’s Pace

Many sports or skills camps require you to select a proficiency level. Opt for one that’s ultimately too hard and your child may struggle to keep up or get frustrated, losing love for something they enjoyed in the past. Pick an easy level, and they may be bored or fail to progress. Maybe your child’s developed past the level you signed them up for months earlier. Big Blue offers small-group swim instruction at a  personalized pace. There’s no rush if your child needs extra practice on a set of skills to move to the next level. And, if they’re advancing rapidly, we’re ready to support their growth. We’re not just ready to teach, we’re ready to celebrate their progress!

Flexible Summer Scheduling

It’s a fact: Continuous, year-round lessons are the best way to ensure progress for young swimmers. It’s also a fact that summer comes with seemingly endless schedule shifts! We want to make the best of consistency and flexibility. If you need to pause weekly lessons due to extended travel,  you can do so quickly in the app. Drop in during the summer with one of our convenient drop-in options, which can also be scheduled on the app. And, if you miss a lesson, every swimmer gets 15 free makeup lessons!

You Know High-Quality Swim Lessons are Covered

Your child may have their hearts set on a horseback riding camp, a ceramics camp, a ropes course camp or any other of the incredible specialty camps available. In keeping your weekly lesson with us, you can pick the best camp for your child’s interests, even if it doesn’t include swimming as part of its programming. You’ll feel confident they’re learning all the ins and outs of lacrosse, tennis, or cooking while progressing as an independent swimmer.

And, yes, many camps offer swimming as part of their programming. Any chance to swim is great! But, if you are focused on your child improving as a swimmer, it’s worth maintaining your weekly swim lesson with us. Training of camp swim instructors can vary, as can the quality of the facilities, the length of time dedicated to lessons and many other factors important to success. At Big Blue, swim lessons are all we do. You can trust the quality of the facility, the science behind the instruction and the professional training of every instructor.

As you prep for summer, make sure swim lessons are set. Sign up for a free trial lesson with us!

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, 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.
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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, Parenting, Safety, Swim Instructors, swim safety, Swim School, swimming, swimming lessons 11/09/2021

At Big Blue Swim School, our goal is to encourage transformations in kids – to go from the development of swim skills to the development of life skills. The swim associates strive to get every kid to make progress towards a BIG moment at every swim lesson.

What sets us apart? Below are the top three reasons to believe in Big Blue.

Life’s Big Moments start at Big Blue Swim School. Visit our website to learn more about kids swimming lessons at Big Blue, or to find a location near you.

Uncategorized, Northern Virginia, Swim Instructors, swim safety, Swim School, swimming, swimming lessons 05/26/2021

We’re thrilled that Big Blue Chantilly will be opening on June 14th for swimming classes. Our pool is filled with 90-degree water and ready for the families of Northern Virginia. Let’s get to know the Chantilly General Manager Greg Johnson!

We played “Think Fast” with Greg, check out his answers!

1. What hobbies do you enjoy? Fishing and anything outdoors
2. Where would you visit, anywhere in the world, if it was free? Ireland
3. What is your go-to dessert? Cheesecake
4. What do you love about Big Blue? I love the family feel of the organization and the family feel inside each location, not only with my Big Blue team members, but also with the local families.

When we open this June for kids swimming lessons, make sure to give a wave. Greg and his team of amazing Swim Associates can’t wait to open the doors and welcome the families of Chantilly, Fairfax and the surrounding areas for swim lessons. Learn more about Big Blue Swim School Chantilly and the Big Blue Difference.

Uncategorized, Safety, swim safety 05/14/2021

May is National Water Safety Month

As the weather warms, families around the country are looking forward to taking to the water, maybe more than ever before. Pools, beaches, and lakes are announcing plans to reopen. It’s an exciting time!

We want every family adventure around the water to be a chance to create memories and enjoy time together. Water safety is a critical first step towards a great experience.

While water safety is always on our minds here at Big Blue, we are proud to recognize May as National Water Safety Month and reflect on the importance of raising awareness and educating families on the risks of drowning and ways to become water safer.

Why Water Safety is Essential

Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second-leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 14 in the United States. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries. Severe brain damage, including long-term memory problems and learning disabilities, can also result from nonfatal drowning accidents in the water.

During the pandemic, backyard pool purchases skyrocketed as families looked for socially distanced forms of entertainment. At the same time, there was also a reduction in formal swim lesson instruction. Children ages 1-4 have the highest drowning rates, and most of those drownings occur in home swimming pools. The importance of formal swimming lessons at this time couldn’t be more critical.

These are hard statistics to consider, and it’s why we are so passionate about our work. Whether your family is opening up your backyard pool again or venturing to a local pool, nearby lake, or beach vacation, it’s so important to prepare yourself and your families to be safer near water.

Water Safety Reminders

We’ve developed a helpful acronym for water safety. Whenever you’re around the water with kids, keep our swimming LAPS reminders top of mind:

Lifeguards are not babysitters
Always designate a Water Watcher
Protect yourself and kids by wearing life jackets
Swim with a buddy

Here are some other smart considerations to improving water safety for your family.

Make Pool Areas Safer
A lockable gate, fence, or a high wall, door alarms on your home, and safety pool covers are all ways to add a layer of protection to a residential pool. Consider locking doors that lead to the yard and pool at a beach or lake house when everyone should be indoors. If you are headed to a vacation property or staying with friends or family, ask about their pool safety systems ahead of time.

Provide Supervision
Even with safety systems in place and lifeguards on duty, adult supervision around water is essential. Always designate an adult in your group as the Water Watcher, someone who keeps a close eye on swimmers, and rotate every 30 minutes to avoid supervision fatigue.

A drowning incident isn’t always obvious. Someone struggling in the water may not yell for help, wave their arms, or thrash around. It can happen in under a minute and be a deceptively silent event. That’s why, even if your child is a proficient swimmer, wearing a life jacket, or swimming with friends, it’s critical to always, always provide constant, careful supervision. Remember your LAPS!

Learn CPR
Consider learning or re-certifying in CPR. Every second counts during a drowning or near-drowning incident, and your CPR skills could save someone’s life in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive.

Start Your Child in Swim Lessons

Swimming skills can help prevent tragedy. Formal kids swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. We start our baby swim class as young as three-months-old at Big Blue to begin building a lifetime of water safety from an early age.

Big Blue Goes Above and Beyond

Exceptional, Everyday
From the quality of our program to the individualized preparation your child gets to swim independently beyond our walls, safety is always top of mind at Big Blue.

We teach floating, safety swimming, and ensuring kids can swim farther and farther distances to get them to safety. Continuous, weekly lessons ensure skill development, growing confidence, and endurance building happen year-round.

Professional instructors and a curriculum developed by world-class swimmers are foundational components of our swim school and set Big Blue apart from other programs.

Expansive COVID-19 Protocols
At all of our locations, we continually monitor both CDC guidelines and state and local regulations. We’ve also instituted enhanced cleaning on high touch surfaces.

Our staff have suitable PPE available and have their temperatures checked before entering each day. Enhanced paid sick leave is also available.

Our app makes it simple to perform a self check-in screening or re-schedule a lesson if anyone in your family isn’t feeling well.

All Big Blue locations are set up to ensure social distancing and good hygiene are easy to practice.

Learn more about health and safety at Big Blue.

The Return of Summer Swim Season

Like many of you, we are eager to get outside and get back into the water this summer. Keeping children safer in and around the water is the first step to enjoying time at the pool, beach, lake, and more.

Our program is designed to help children swim longer and longer distances, confidently and independently. A life-long love of swimming, family fun around the water, and a safe experience all start with these foundational skills.

Big Blue is proud to have continued to safely serve families during the pandemic. We look forward to helping even more families celebrate a safe return to the water this summer.

We’d love to welcome your family into the pool at Big Blue. Want to try a free trial swim lesson? Learn more here.

Uncategorized, Kids Activities, Parenting, Swim Instructors, swim safety, Swim School, swimming 03/01/2021

Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest growing swim school franchises, is coming to Northern Virginia this summer with its first pool located in Chantilly at the Greenbriar Town Center. The company plans to open additional pools in Dulles, Falls Church, and Fairfax, making their exceptional swim program available to even more families in the region.

“We are incredibly excited to bring Big Blue Swim School to Northern Virginia because swim lessons fill a critical need for all families,” said Chris DeJong, Big Blue’s Founder and President. “Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death among children aged one to four-years old, which is why we are so passionate about the mission we deliver. Big Blue offers an exceptional learn-to-swim experience through a team of highly trained, professional swim instructors. We teach kids to swim confidently and in turn, they gain skills needed to live bigger, bolder, and brighter lives.”

Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 and operates pools in the Chicago and Atlanta markets. The company has franchise agreements to open another 123 pools in 19 states and plans to add another 50 pools in 2021. The Northern Virginia pools are owned and operated by franchise partner L5 Swim, who opened a Big Blue pool in Atlanta in June. Big Blue Swim School expects to have a significant presence in the region, with additional agreements to open pools in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

With its Northern Virginia locations, Big Blue Swim School will bring more than 100 professional swim instructor and pool management jobs to the region.

“Our intent is to make a big splash in Northern Virginia, because it is densely populated with families dedicated to ensuring their children have the important life skill of learning to swim and being safer near water,” said DeJong. “Our presence here means families will have access to best-in-class offerings, but more importantly, it allows us to become an active and engaged member of the community in Northern Virginia, and throughout the National Capital region.”

When Big Blue Swim School was created, it completely transformed the way swimming lessons for kids are taught. “We make sure that with each visit, every child gains skills and confidence in the water,” said DeJong. “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.”

Big Blue Swim Schools are open seven days a week and children’s swim lessons are offered for kids six months to 12 years of age. Big Blue has four curriculums of instruction for different age groups, spanning 10 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.

In addition to hiring and training 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 and Big Blue pools are 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 swimming lesson routine,” said DeJong.

Big Blue Swim School’s Chantilly pool is located at 13023 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy, in the Greenbriar Town Center near Giant Food and Marshalls. The pool is scheduled to open its doors this summer. To stay informed of Big Blue’s progress in Chantilly, or to learn more about special pre-opening deals and the programs offered, visit http://bigblue.link/ChantillyPR or follow Big Blue on Facebook and Instagram @BigBlueChantilly. For job opportunities at Big Blue Swim School Chantilly, please email chantilly@bigblueswimschool.com.

ABOUT BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL
Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong. The first location opened in Wilmette, Illinois, followed by four additional Chicagoland schools. Big Blue offers an unparalleled swim lesson experience made easier and more effective by our full-time instructors, proprietary technology and curriculum, and our family-centric 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.

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.
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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.