Discover the Bluefins Pathway:
Skills, Fitness, Competition - and beyond
Nurturing Homegrown Talent
At Basingstoke Bluefins, we take pride in nurturing talent from the ground up. Almost all of our swimmers are home grown, with many starting their journey in our entry-level Skills Academy squads.
We provide an inclusive and supportive environment designed to meet the needs of every swimmer. Our priority is delivering exceptional, targeted coaching that develops the advanced aquatic skills essential for both competitive success and lifelong participation.
Skills Academy — The First Step and Lessons Link
The Skills Academy bridges the gap between lessons and club swimming. Weekly trials are available for swimmers who have achieved Level 6 (dark blue hat) or equivalent. Once successful, swimmers aged 8–10 typically join Skills Academy squads, which form the entry point to our Advanced Skills Development Pathway.
Our dedicated coaching team focuses on teaching swimmers an advanced level of aquatic skill. Building this strong base is essential for those looking to progress into the Competitive Pathway and begin racing. For others, the Fitness Pathway provides a welcoming route for social and health-focused swimming.
Whatever the pathway, our goal is the same — to equip swimmers with lifelong skills and ensure they remain engaged with the sport, whether through fitness, open water, or competition, all the way to Masters level.
Progression and Development
Every swimmer is part of a thriving squad structure, designed to optimise their growth and development. We ensure swimmers are always placed in the right environment, alongside others with similar ability, goals, and commitment.
A key strength of Bluefins is our dynamic approach to squad moves. Swimmers are monitored daily by our head, lead, and assistant coaches. When ready, they may be invited to join booster sessions in the next appropriate squad, ensuring progress is matched to both age and ability.
Clear Pathways
Our Progression Guide starts with Advanced Skills Development (Skills Academy), before branching into Fitness, Competitive, County, Regional, and National pathways. With 16 squads in total, Bluefins offers clear, flexible routes for every swimmer — from those chasing medals to those swimming for life.
👉 Check out our Progression Guide to explore the next step in your journey.
You're one click away from an unforgettable aquatic future... contact to our amazing Ali and book your trial today.
Success so far...
Since our post-Covid relaunch in 2021, the Bluefins Skills Academy coaching team has been delivering Advanced Skills Development sessions with proven success.
We now have countless examples of swimmers joining us from local lesson providers at just 8 years of age. Within only three years of starting their journey in our Skills Academy and Junior Development Squads, many are already competing at the Hampshire County Championships across all age groups.
Not only have a large number of these swimmers reached county finals, but several have gone on to become County Champions. Many have since progressed to the Regional stage, and some have now gone on to reach the National Championships — a remarkable achievement in such a short time.
This rapid development shows the strength of our pathway, the dedication of our coaches, and the determination of our young swimmers — proof that with the right environment, progress and success will always follow.
Skills Academy - Squad 4, Tadley & Sports Centre
Skills Academy - Squad 3, Aquadrome & Sports Centre
Skills Academy - QMC
Squad 1 & 2
Rapid Skills Development*
It's vital that all swimmers continue their journey focusing on the fundamental aquatic skills. Often these basic skills can be easily over looked, with many misconceptions of what a good training session should consist of. Our sessions are never measured in how many metres completed or even how fast swimmers complete each length. Maintaining skills is our primary focus.
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. For us, success isn’t measured by how many metres are swum, or how fast a length is completed — it’s measured by the quality of skills maintained and refined.
From day one, our highly knowledgeable coaching team focus on the key areas of body position, leg propulsion, arm catch (sculling), efficient breathing, and finally, the timing that brings it all together — a framework we call BLABT.
We deliver BLABT through proven Drills & Skills progressions, broken down into step-by-step sequences. With patience, consistency, and practice, these skills are gradually mastered. There are no shortcuts to swimming fast — only a commitment to getting the fundamentals right.
Skills Academy focus areas:
Squads 1 & 2 (Entry Level):
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Controlled push-offs
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Underwater streamlined travel
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Sculling skills (developing “feel” for the water)
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Foundational drills
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Squads 3 & 4 (Progression Level):
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Advanced progression drills for each stroke
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Legal competitive turns
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Competitive dives
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Introduction to using the clock
