About Us
Expert Swim Lessons in Durham, NC: The PhD Swim School Method
OUR STORY
Teaching the science of swimming since 2016!
From the very first lesson, we begin to build an easy, sustainable swim sequence in all our students. This involves teaching children to swim horizontally, recover laterally for a breath, and then roll horizontally to continue swimming. This is known as “swim-float-swim.”
This foundational technique can be taught to all ages, from infants to adults. Once children master this basic sequence, the fundamental principles transfer nicely to the four competitive strokes. We believe that survival swim lessons AND excellence in stroke instruction can and do coexist. We strive to produce lifelong lovers of water.
OUR METHOD
Swim-Float-Swim
At PhD Swim School, from the first lesson we begin to build an easy, sustainable swim sequence in all of our students. This involves teaching children to swim horizontally in the water, recover laterally for a breath, then roll horizontally to continue swimming. This is known as “swim-float-swim.”
This technique can be taught to all ages from infants to adults and forms the foundation of our curriculum. Once children master the basic sequence, the fundamental principles of “swim-float-swim” transfer nicely to the four competitive strokes.
We believe that survival swim lessons AND excellence in stroke instruction can and do coexist. We strive to produce lifelong lovers of water.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
safety first, water fun after
We are dedicated to providing a safe, effective, and positive learning environment. Our philosophy centers on building competence and confidence, which leads to a genuine love for the water. We prioritize safety skills first, ensuring every child has the survival skills they need before moving on to more advanced strokes.
SCIENCE-BASED
Our curriculum is based on behavioral neuroscience, inspired by Dr. Katie’s dissertation work and a synthesis of the best ideas from other renowned swim schools. We offer a different kind of swim class in Durham, NC, focusing on how children actually learn.
We do not rely on visual or verbal communication with our students because we do not need to. Young children are kinesthetic learners, and swimming is a motor skill that should be taught through simple, repetitive movements. We teach through shaping, conditioning, and positive reinforcement.
FAQs
- At what age can my child start infant swim lessons? We specialize in infant swim lessons, starting as young as 12 months old. Our program is designed to teach even the youngest students critical water survival skills through our gentle, science-based approach.
- What makes your swim school different from others in Durham? Our core difference is our science-based curriculum. Unlike many group lessons focused on water acclimation through songs and play, our program is grounded in behavioral science. We teach swimming as a motor skill using positive reinforcement, building real “swim-float-swim” competence from the very first lesson.
- How long will it take for my child to learn to swim? Every child learns at their own pace. However, our focused, science-based method often achieves results faster than traditional lessons. Most children can master the basic swim-float-swim sequence after a several weeks of consistent lessons.
- Rachel mother of 2
Get Started Today
Ready to give your child the lifelong gifts of water safety and confidence? Register for our swim lessons in Durham, NC, today and see the PhD Swim School difference.
