Want to learn to swim? Have a fear of the water? You’re not alone. Become one of our thousands of success stories.
Learn to Swim with Confidence
If you’ve never learned to swim—or never felt comfortable in the water—you’re not alone.
At Chicago Blue Dolphins, we specialize in helping adults:
- Overcome fear
- Learn to breathe and relax in the water
- Build real swimming skills step by step
Whether your goal is to:
- Feel safe around water
- Swim with your kids
- Enjoy vacations
- Or finally learn something you’ve put off for years
We’ll guide you through it—one step at a time.
Our next group class session starts on Monday June 29, 2026.
New to Swimming?
Start with Adult Learn-to-Swim 1 if you have little or no swimming experience.
Had Some Lessons?
Schedule a skills assessment so we evaluate your skills and place you in the right class.
Schedule a Skills AssessmentWant Private Coaching?
Choose private or semi-private lessons for a more personalized learning path.
Book Private LessonsStill not sure? Call us at (773) 342-7250 or complete our registration form, and we’ll help you choose.
Why Learning to Swim as an Adult Feels So Hard
Most adults don’t struggle because they “can’t swim.”
They struggle because:
- They were taught too quickly, skipped the foundations, and swim to survive
- They never learned how to breathe properly
- They don’t feel safe when they can’t touch
- They were told to “just relax” without being shown how
The result is frustration, fatigue, and lack of progress.
That’s exactly what we fix.
Is This Program Right for You?
This program is designed for you if:
- You feel anxious or uncomfortable in the water
- You’ve never learned to swim—or never felt confident
- You can swim a little, but get tired quickly
We’ll help you get to a place where you can:
- Feel safe and in control in the water
- Swim comfortably across the pool
- Use swimming for fitness, travel, or fun
Your Path to Learning to Swim
We teach swimming as a clear, step-by-step progression:
1. Comfort & Control
Learn to float, breathe, and relax in the water
2. Simple Movement
Swim short distances with control, confidence, and easy breathing
3. Deep Water Confidence
Feel safe and in control even when you can’t touch
4. Real Swimming Skills
Build more advanced strokes that allow you to swim comfortably and efficiently
Learn More About
If you’re ready to get started, continue to the next section to choose the registration option that best fits your needs.
If you’d like to learn more first, use the links below to explore our lessons, teaching approach, and program structure.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re completely new to swimming or looking for more individualized instruction, we’ll help you find the right starting point.
1. Register Online for Adult Learn-to-Swim 1
You do not need any prior swimming experience to begin Adult Learn-to-Swim 1. Most adults in Learn-to-Swim 1 begin with little or no swimming background.
Our next Adult Learn-to-Swim 1 session begins on Monday, June 29, 2026.
Adult Learn-to-Swim group classes are $302/month with weekly classes and ongoing enrollment. A separate $25 annual membership/safety fee will be added after registration.
Click the (+) below to view the current Adult Learn-to-Swim 1 class options. Classes with available space will display a Sign Up button.
If your preferred class is currently full, call our office at (773) 342-7250 or email info@chicagobluedolphins.com to join the priority waitlist.
Online registration is currently available for Adult Learn-to-Swim 1 because it is designed specifically for brand-new swimmers. For Level 2, Deep Water, or Stroke Foundations, we recommend a quick skills assessment so we can place you appropriately.
2. Schedule a Skills Assessment
If you already have some swimming experience but aren’t sure where you fit in our class sequence, schedule a skills assessment. We’ll evaluate your current skills and recommend the best starting point.
Prefer help registering? Call (773) 342-7250.
To Register Online:
- Click “Expand ↓” next to Private Skills Assessment
- Choose the number of swimmers (note: if you choose two or three swimmers, you need to provide them)
- Select your coach preference
- Choose an available day and time
3. Schedule Private or Semi-Private Lessons
If you prefer a more personalized path, private and semi-private lessons are available for adults who want individual instruction, flexible pacing, or help with specific goals.
Prefer help registering? Call (773) 342-7250.
To Register Online:
- Click “Expand ↓” next to Private Adult Lesson
- Choose the lesson length and the number of swimmers (note: if you choose two or three swimmers, you need to provide them)
- Select your coach preference
- Choose an available day and time
4. Request More Information or Get Help
Not sure which option is right? We’re happy to help.
Fill out the form below, and we’ll reach out to help you choose the best next step.
We’ll also send you a few helpful emails from info@chicagobluedolphins.com explaining how adult swim lessons work, what to expect in class, and how to choose the best option for your goals.
Prefer to speak with someone directly? Call us at (773) 342-7250 during office hours:
- Mon–Fri: 9 am – 7 pm
- Sat–Sun: 9 am – 5 pm
Class Sequence
Learn-to-Swim Core Classes
Our focus is on foundational skills—floating, breathing, and basic strokes on your front and back—before moving to freestyle or more advanced strokes.
By the end, you’ll be able to swim comfortably in both shallow and deep water.
Stroke Foundations Classes
Once you can swim confidently, we’ll teach you the foundations of the four competitive strokes—freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly—so you can swim farther, faster, and with less effort.
These classes will be your gateway into the Stroke Refinement classes and our PACE Swim Training system.
How Classes Work
- Class Length: 60 minutes
- Class Size:
- 3:1 ratio in Swim Studio classes
- 4:1 ratio in deep water classes
- Structure: 4–5 week sessions with progress evaluations
You’ll learn in a focused, supportive environment where you can build skills step by step.
Our Pools & Learning Environment
You’ll train in two environments:
Swim Studio (Endless Pools)
- Warm, controlled water
- Immediate feedback
- Focus on technique and comfort
Full-Size Pools (Deep Water Training)
- Build real confidence
- Practice full swimming skills
- Apply what you’ve learned in real conditions
The combination of the two environments helps you learn faster and retain skills more effectively.
Group Class Tuition & Enrollment
- $302 per month
- Weekly classes (year-round)
- Cancel anytime
For best results, we recommend a minimum 3-month commitment so you can see meaningful progress.
Private & Semi-Private Lessons
Private lessons offer greater scheduling flexibility and control over the learning pace. We offer 25-minute and 50-minute private and semi-private lessons to our adult clients. We generally recommend a 50-minute private lesson for our adults to give you more time to learn new skills and practice the old ones. If you’ve taken lessons before or if you are unsure if private or group classes would be more appropriate, we offer 25-minute skills assessment lessons to help you make that decision.
| Lesson Type |
25 Minute Single | 25 Minute Five Pack | 50 Minute Single | 50 Minute Five Pack |
| Skills Assessment | $62.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Private | $92.00 | $437.00 | $179.00 | $850.25 |
| Two Swimmers (Per Person) | $62.00 | $294.50 | $123.00 | $584.25 |
| Three Swimmers (Per Person) | $46.00 | $218.50 | $92.00 | $437.00 |
Purchase a 5-pack and save 5%. The $25 annual membership fee applies as with group lessons.
Class Schedule
You can view the complete swim class schedule below. Use the filter icon (☰) to sort by day, time, class name, or instructor for the options that best fit your needs.