As your child progresses from learning basic swim skills to considering competitive opportunities, you may wonder—what’s next? At Blue Dolphin Swim School, the Blue Dolphin Elite Swim Team (BD Elite) is the bridge between Learn to Swim lessons and the competitive side of swimming.
This structured, performance-focused program gives students a solid foundation in competitive swimming skills, introducing race strategy, endurance sets, and a strong team culture. Here’s what every parent should know before their child dives into this next stage of their swim journey.
What Is the Blue Dolphin Elite Program?
BD Elite is a year-round, technique-driven swim team-style program designed for ages 5 to 18, with four advancement levels: Pre-Team, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each level is built around developing specific swim competencies—from mastering age-appropriate strokes to improving split times and pacing strategies.
Classes meet on a weekly basis, and students are expected to attend practice regularly to ensure progress. The training schedule looks like this:
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Pre-Team: 1–2 practices/week (45 min sessions)
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Bronze: 2+ practices/week (60 min sessions)
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Silver: 3-4 practices/week (75 min sessions)
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Gold: 3 practices/week (90 min sessions)
As students advance, they are gradually introduced to stroke drills, race starts, and swim tests to measure milestones like 100 yards freestyle or I.M.
What Skills Should Swimmers Have Before Joining?
To enter the BD Elite program, swimmers must demonstrate readiness through evaluations or completion of the prior level. For instance:
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Pre-Team entrants should swim 100 yards freestyle, 50 yards backstroke, and show competence in swimming without an instructor in the water.
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Bronze and Silver levels build stamina and speed using progressive interval sets (e.g., 6×50 flutter kicks or 4×100 free).
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Gold level requires endurance-based sets (e.g., 10×50 free on :45), and polished technique for all strokes.
At every level, coaches emphasize the importance of competitive swimming skills—such as legal turns, underwater dolphin kicks, and effective pacing. Swimmers are also taught to use the pace clock and to execute starts from blocks confidently and consistently.
Preparing for the Competitive Side
As swimmers shift toward competition, BD Elite introduces them to the mental and physical demands of the sport. This includes:
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Proper discipline and focus during training
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Goal-setting and regular feedback from instructors
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Building endurance and improving interval performance
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Learning the value of sportsmanship and teamwork
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Participation in time trials (optional for earlier levels, encouraged for Silver and Gold)
While formal competition isn’t mandatory at first, students are encouraged to participate when ready to gain experience and confidence.
Gear, Health, and Cross-Training
Swimmers should arrive at practice prepared with the following:
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A snug swim cap and a pair of reliable goggles
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A competitive swimsuit suitable for endurance sets
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A water bottle and towel
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Positive energy and motivation!
As swimmers advance through BD Elite, they are also introduced to basic cross-training fitness components to improve strength, flexibility, and lung capacity. Proper nutrition, hydration, and rest are all part of building a well-rounded athlete.
How Parents Can Support the Swim Journey
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their swimmers. Here’s how:
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Stay informed: Understand the requirements and practice schedule for your child’s level.
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Encourage effort over perfection: Every child develops differently, so focus on progress, not comparison.
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Celebrate milestones: Completing a level or improving a time in a swim test is a big deal—celebrate it!
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Promote balance: Support your child’s need for rest, fun, and time with friends, alongside swim training.
BD Elite also fosters a sense of community, where families connect, and students thrive together. Our coaches are committed to providing clear communication, consistent evaluations, and age-appropriate feedback.
Take the Next Step
If your child is ready for the competitive side of swimming, the Blue Dolphin Elite Swim Team is the perfect next step. Our experienced coaches, structured training, and supportive environment help swimmers reach their full potential—whether they aim to join a USA Swimming club, prepare for high school swim, or simply grow stronger and more confident in the water.
Register Now and explore placement options based on your child’s current swim level.
FAQ: Blue Dolphin Elite Swim Team
1. What’s the difference between Learn to Swim and BD Elite?
Learn to Swim builds basic safety and technique. BD Elite prepares swimmers for the competitive side, with a focus on endurance, stroke refinement, and race preparation.
2. What age should my child be to start BD Elite?
Children typically enter BD Elite between ages 5–9, but the program serves swimmers up to age 18. Readiness is based on skill, not just age.
3. Does my child need to compete in meets?
While formal competition is optional at the lower levels, we encourage swimmers to try time trials as part of their development.
4. What skills are tested for placement?
Typical swim tests include swimming 100 yards freestyle, 50 yards backstroke, and 50 yards breaststroke, along with treading water and basic dives.
5. Can my child still participate if they have anxiety about competing?
Absolutely. Our coaches focus on building confidence and resilience at each swimmer’s pace, helping them reduce stress and fear through encouragement and structured practice.