Skills Academy 🏊🎓 The Foundation of Bluefins💙
- Spencer Turner
- Sep 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 9
October 2025
For many families, joining the Skills Academy is the entry point into the world of club swimming. It can feel a little different from lessons — structured sets, squads, lane etiquette, Bluefins kit.
💡 The Skills Academy bridges the gap between swimming lessons and club training. It’s where swimmers move from learning basic strokes to Advanced Skills Development and becoming part of a team — the foundation of the Bluefins pathway.
Who Is It For?
For swimmers who are near the top of Learn to Swim stages and ready for club-style training.
Ideally aged 8+ and breaststroke competent.
We also welcome swimmers from 7 who are ready for club training.
Grouped by ability, not just age, so everyone learns at the right pace.
👉 Weekly trials are available for swimmers who are ready to take this step and see if Skills Academy is the right fit.
💡 If your child is 11+ and hasn’t yet joined a club, they would usually start in our Club Squads instead. This doesn’t close any doors — once they’ve mastered the basics of club training, they can still progress into our Competitive Pathway.
Why It’s Different from Lessons
These are training sessions, not swimming lessons.
The focus is on long-term skill development, not just passing badges (see below for what this means when starting at age 7).
Swimmers become part of a club culture — wearing kit, working as a team, and following structured sets.
💬 Junior Captain’s Comment“ I remember being in Skills Academy — I loved how the coaches made it challenging but also fun. I always looked forward to going swimming.”
What Happens in Training?
Skills Academy sessions are about learning to train like a swimmer while still keeping things fun and engaging.
We build skills step by step, guided by our Bluefins mantra for underwater work — Set, Drop, Lock, Push — the sequence every swimmer uses to master powerful, streamlined starts and turns.
Training is delivered through progressive drills:
🧩 Skills are broken down into simple movements — for example, practicing correct body position with a strong kick before adding arms or breathing.
🔄 Swimmers repeat and refine these drills until they can perform them consistently.
➕ Drills are then layered together, combining body position, kicks, breathing, and timing into smooth, efficient strokes.
🚀 As swimmers advance, drills are performed in more complex routines, challenging them to maintain technique while adding new elements.
This approach ensures every child develops a solid technical foundation, with progress measured by skill mastery — not by how many lengths they swim.
Squads 1 & 2 (Entry Level)
These squads are the entry point into the Skills Academy, where swimmers build the first layer of club skills in a supportive, structured environment.
Focus areas:
Controlled push-offs
Underwater streamlined travel
Sculling skills (developing “feel” for the water)
Foundational drills across all four strokes
Session details:
1 × 45-minute session per week
Training pool: QMC (23m / 25 yards) — slightly shorter than a standard 25m pool
Boosters:
A bonus booster session is also available at the Aquadrome (25m). Extra water time makes a real difference — more repetition and regular practice help swimmers master skills faster.
Squads 3 & 4 (Progression Level)
These squads are for swimmers ready to advance their training, developing the full set of competitive skills and building confidence for future progression.
Focus areas:
Advanced progression drills for each stroke
Legal competitive turns
Competitive dives
Introduction to using the pace clock
Session details:
2 × 1-hour sessions per week
Training pools: Aquadrome (25m) and Basingstoke Sports Centre (25m)
Progression:
No additional boosters are available at this stage.
Swimmers nearing the top of these squads may be offered a bridging booster to prepare for the Competitive Development Pathway.
Note: Swimmers who are not aiming for competition will be offered progression into the Club Pathway instead.
📅 When Do Skills Academy Squads Train?
Each Skills Academy group has a set timetable of sessions during the week.
Because pool time can vary (venues, term schedules, and availability), the most up-to-date information is always published on our website.
🔗 Check the current Skills Academy timetable here → Bluefins Squad Timetables
Rapid Skills Development
At Bluefins, we believe every swimmer’s journey begins with a strong foundation in the fundamental aquatic skills. Too often, these basics are overlooked, with misconceptions about what makes a “good” training session.
Our sessions are never measured by how many metres are completed or how fast lengths are swum. Success is measured by the quality of skills maintained and refined. That’s why in the Skills Academy, maintaining skills is our primary focus.
From day one, our highly knowledgeable coaching team focus on:
📏 Body position
🦵 Leg propulsion
🖐️ Arm catch & sculling (developing “feel” for the water)
🌬️ Breathing efficiency
⏱️ Timing that brings everything together
We call this framework BLABT — Body position, Leg action, Arm action, Breathing, Timing. It’s not just a Bluefins approach — BLABT is the established industry standard for developing strong, efficient swimmers.
These skills are delivered through proven drills and step-by-step progressions, designed to be repeated until swimmers master them with confidence. With patience, consistency, and regular practice, swimmers develop quickly and securely.
There are no shortcuts to swimming fast — only a commitment to getting the fundamentals right.
💬 Head Coach’s Comment “Focusing on the basics can sometimes feel like a step backwards, but it’s the opposite. Correct body position and coordination at the crucial early stages are what allow swimmers to build speed and efficiency later. Get the fundamentals right, and everything else falls into place.”
The Bluefins Pathway — Where It Leads
The Skills Academy is the starting point of the Bluefins Pathway. From here, swimmers can choose the direction that best fits their goals — whether that’s chasing fast times in competition or swimming for fitness, fun, and lifelong participation.
Competitive Pathway
For swimmers who enjoy racing and want to progress through structured squads with increasing challenge and opportunity:
Competitive Development → the first step into racing, with a strong emphasis on developing technique, while also understanding how to compete and learning race skills.
County Development → refining technique with the target of racing at County level, supported by progressive training volume and skill refinement.
Performance Squads → the highest level of commitment, for swimmers aiming at Regional and National qualification and beyond.
Fitness Pathway
For swimmers who want to continue improving skills and staying active, without the pressure of competition:
Club Squads (11+) → friendly, supportive training sessions for fun, fitness, and skill development.
Masters Squads → training for older swimmers, whether for fitness, triathlon, or racing at Masters events.
🔑 Importantly: late starters who join via Club Squads can still move into the Competitive Pathway later — once they’ve mastered the basics of club training.
Want to explore more?
🔗 Squad Structure Overview — a clear summary of all squads.
🔗 Squad Structure Explained — full details of every squad and progression.
🔗 Progression Through the Pathway — a parent-friendly guide to how swimmers move forward.
A Note on Starting at 7yrs
Competitive Age Group swimming begins at 9 years old. Before this, racing opportunities are very limited — usually just internal Club Championships and time trials.
That means if your child starts at 7, parents should be prepared to be patient. The focus at this stage is not on racing, but on developing outstanding technical skills — the essential building blocks that will allow swimmers to thrive once formal competition begins.
It may sometimes appear that a coach is holding back swimmers, but this is never the case. Coaches are focused on ensuring skills are secure before moving swimmers forward — because moving up too soon can often be detrimental, with the next squad not suited to a swimmer’s age or maturity. Strong technique built early is always the key to long-term success.
Why It Matters
The Skills Academy is about building the foundation of a swimmer’s journey. Whether your child wants to compete, stay active, or simply keep swimming as a life skill, the Academy sets them up with the confidence, technique, and habits to thrive.
At Bluefins, we take pride in nurturing homegrown talent. Almost all of our swimmers are locally developed, with many beginning their journey in the Skills Academy and moving through our pathways. Our inclusive, supportive environment ensures every swimmer has the chance to succeed — whichever route they take.
💬 Chair’s Comment
“At Bluefins, the Skills Academy is not just about swimming technique — it’s about instilling great life skills, resilience, and confidence. These are qualities children carry with them well beyond the pool.”
Start Your Journey with Bluefins
The Skills Academy is where it all begins — turning swimmers from lessons into confident club members with advanced skills and a clear pathway for future progression.
👉 Weekly trials are available — contact our Amazing Ali to arrange a session and find out if Bluefins is the right next step for your child.
Discover more at bbfsc.org 🐬✨
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