Chicago Blue Dolphins Swim School

Chicago Blue Dolphins Swim School offers baby and toddler swim lessons beginning at 6 months, with gentle, play-based instruction and parent-child classes. It also offers kids swimming classes for ages 4 and up, kids deep water skills classes for school-age swimmers 6 years and up, and private or semi-private swim lessons for kids ages 4+.

Programs

• Baby and toddler swim lessons — beginning at 6 months · Gentle, play-based instruction; parent-child classes available.
• Kids swimming classes — ages 4 and up · Focus on relaxation, water confidence, and then competitive swim strokes.
• Adult learn-to-swim group classes — adults · For adults who want to learn to swim or overcome fear of the water.
• Adult stroke refinement group classes — adults · Advanced stroke refinement classes.
• Kids deep water skills classes — school-age (6 years and up) · Deep water skills for young swimmers.
• Adult deep water classes — adults · Learn deep water comfort and skills in water up to 11 feet deep.
• Adult swim training — adults · Targeted training for triathlon, open water, or Masters swims.
• Adult private swim lessons — adults · Private or semi-private format; 25- or 50-minute lessons available.
• Kids private and semi-private swim lessons — ages 4+ · Private lessons for one, two, or three swimmers.
• Private skills assessment lesson — 25-minute evaluation for placement into class progression.

At a glance

• Ages: 0–18 years old
• General schedule: Group classes run year round; enrollment is open-ended.

About the provider

Chicago Blue Dolphins Swim School was founded in 2006, and its baby swim program opened in May 2010. John Fitzpatrick is the owner, founder, and head coach. The school’s core purpose is to help people learn and improve their lives through the sport of swimming. Its methods have been featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Tribune Magazine, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Athlete, Windy City Sports, The Chicago Reader, and US Masters Swimmer. The Hope Floats Scholarship Fund helps make swimming and water safety skills available to students of all income levels.

Group classes are year round and open-ended. Tuition runs automatically each month. There is a $25 annual membership fee for group classes and private lessons. A $25 cancellation fee applies if discontinuing classes during the first three months. Private lessons can be private (1 swimmer) or semi-private (2-3 swimmers) and are scheduled on the student's schedule.

Last updated November 8, 2026.