Is Survival Swim Right for Your Infant

Deciding when to start your child’s aquatic journey is a significant milestone for any parent. While traditional classes focus on play, survival swimming emphasizes life-saving skills. We understand that water safety is a top priority for families, and choosing the right program involves weighing the developmental benefits against your child’s unique needs and readiness. Prioritizing […]

4 Major Benefits of Early Infant Swimming

swim instructor teaching an infant to swim

Deciding when to start your child’s aquatic journey is a significant milestone for any parent. While many families view the pool primarily as a place for summer recreation, early exposure to water offers a profound range of developmental advantages that extend far beyond simple splashing. At PhD Swim School, we approach instruction through the lens […]

Group vs Private Swim Lessons: Which Is Better

female swim instructor with infant in pool

Choosing the right environment for your child to learn how to swim is one of the most important safety decisions you will make. While we recognize that many families consider the social aspect of group classes, the choice between group and private settings often comes down to the speed of progress and the quality of […]

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.