4 Essential Water Safety Rules for Families

a family playing in a pool

Ensuring your children are safe around the water is the top priority at PhD Swim School. Whether you are heading to the local pool or taking a family beach trip, establishing clear boundaries can prevent accidents and build confidence. Dive into these four crucial water safety rules and learn how to implement them effectively. Never […]

How to Continue Swim Practice at Home

swim lessons

Consistency is the secret ingredient to mastering any motor skill. Whether you are enrolled in our newborn swim lessons or advancing through kids’ swim lessons, bridging the gap between pool sessions and home life is vital. You don’t need a full-sized pool to reinforce the skills we teach; you just need a little creativity and […]

How to Practice Swim Skills in the Bathtub

baby in bathtub with parents

At our swim school in Durham, NC, we know that consistency is the key to confidence. While nothing replaces the hands-on instruction you get in the pool, the bathtub is a fantastic, low-stress environment to reinforce what we teach in class. Whether you are prepping for newborn swim lessons or supporting a child currently enrolled […]

When Should Your Child Start Swim Lessons

swim lessons

As a parent, you instinctively want to protect your child from every danger, and water is often at the top of that list. You might find yourself wondering if it’s too early—or perhaps too late—to get them in the pool. At PhD Swim School in Durham, NC, we believe the best time to start is […]

Why Year-Round Swimming Lessons Are Important

When you think of swimming, you likely picture hot sun, pool parties, and summer vacations. However, water safety is a life skill that does not have an “off-season.” At PhD Swim School, we believe that consistency is the key to confidence. Many parents view swimming as a summer sport, but pausing lessons during the cooler […]

The Biggest Benefits of Early Childhood Swim Lessons

swim lessons

Enrolling your child in early kids’ swim lessons is one of the most proactive steps you can take for their well-being. At PhD Swim School in Durham, NC, we see firsthand the transformative impact that starting young has on children, from our newborn swim lessons to our focused toddler swim lessons. These programs go far […]

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.