When Should Your Baby Start Swimming Lessons?

A mother gently supports her smiling baby as they float comfortably on their back in warm, blue pool water.

Introducing your baby to the water is one of the most impactful safety milestones in early childhood. While parents often wonder about the ideal timeline, early aquatic exposure builds foundational safety habits, motor coordination, and comfort. Understanding how your baby’s development aligns with water safety helps you choose the perfect starting time. Starting as Early […]

4 Questions to Ask a Potential Swim School

A young mother gently guides her smiling baby through clean pool water in a brightly lit indoor aquatic facility.

Selecting the right swim school for your child is one of the most important safety decisions you will make as a parent. Early aquatic education builds vital water safety habits and confidence that last a lifetime. To ensure your child receives expert, nurturing instruction in a safe environment, you must ask the right questions before […]

How Survival Swimming Differs From Traditional Lessons

Child in survival swim lessons

When introducing children to the water, parents often wonder about the distinction between general swimming instruction and specialized survival techniques. While traditional lessons emphasize stroke mechanics and recreational enjoyment, survival swimming focuses on life-saving self-rescue skills. Understanding these differences helps families select the safest, most effective aquatic education for their infants and young children. Self-Rescue […]

4 Clear Signs Your Toddler Is Ready for Swimming Lessons

A smiling toddler receives gentle support from a swimming instructor during a water safety lesson.

As parents, we constantly watch for milestones that signal our little ones are ready to take on new experiences. Water safety is one of the most critical skills a young child can learn, but knowing when to begin can feel uncertain. Recognizing key behavioral and physical cues helps ensure a smooth, successful transition into structured […]

The Key Benefits of Early Swim Lessons in Durham, NC

Young child in swim lessons

Learning to swim is one of the most vital life skills a child can develop. Aquatic education builds confidence, enhances physical coordination, and instills lifelong safety habits around water. At PhD Swim School, we provide structured, encouraging instruction tailored to every skill level, ensuring your family feels completely comfortable and safe in the water from […]

When to Start Swim Lessons: Finding the Right Age for Your Child

A parent smiles at a child submerged to the chest in clear pool water.

Introducing your child to the water is a major milestone, but pinpointing the exact right age to begin formal instruction can leave many parents feeling uncertain. Water safety, physical readiness, and emotional comfort all play vital roles in this decision. As water safety advocates, we believe starting early builds foundational skills that protect and empower […]

When Is Your Toddler Ready for Swimming Lessons? A Durham Parent’s Guide

Water safety and confidence start much earlier than many parents realize. Introducing your child to the water early builds vital life skills, motor coordination, and a healthy relationship with aquatic environments. If you are wondering whether your little one is ready to take the plunge, evaluating physical, emotional, and social cues will help you decide. […]

4 Benefits of Year-Round Swim Instruction

While many families associate swimming lessons exclusively with warm summer weather, stopping swim instruction when the leaves turn can set back months of progress. Water safety and physical confidence are not seasonal skills; they require consistent reinforcement to become permanent habits. Continuous training ensures that critical survival skills remain sharp, helping children feel secure and […]

How to Make Swim Lessons a Positive Experience for Your Baby

Taking the plunge into swimming lessons is a wonderful milestone, but transitioning a baby to a new aquatic environment can sometimes feel overwhelming for both parent and child. It is entirely natural for infants to feel hesitant at first when introduced to a large pool, unfamiliar faces, and new physical sensations. Fortunately, with the right […]

4 Essential Water Safety Rules for Families in Durham

As parents, keeping our children safe is our highest priority, especially when it comes to the water. Whether you are spending a sunny afternoon at a neighborhood pool, visiting a beach, or simply playing in the backyard, establishing clear and non-negotiable safety habits is crucial. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death […]

Coach Katie Blalock

SENIOR INSTRUCTOR, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Katie B. is a former sprint triathlete and triathlete coach. She also has experience teaching fearful adult beginners how to swim. Katie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She also has prior accounting and business administration experience with Raleigh Brewing Company and Charles & Colvard.

Katie has two boys herself and loves working with young children. She is a gifted teacher with special strengths in class organization, maintaining structure in a fun environment, and establishing a relationship of trust with her students. Katie has undergone over fifty hours of intense in-water and academic training to learn our method. She primarily manages all day-to-day business activities and is also an instructor. She currently teaches Survival, Kicks & Tricks, and, FUNdations.