About Our Swim Programs
We offer swimming programs for special needs individuals of all ages and abilities at no cost.
These programs are for children and adults who are not capable of being integrated into a typical program (a form signed by a doctor is required).
Our qualified lead instructors are all certified as Adapted Aquatics Instructors through the Starfish Aquatics Institute. If you are unsure which program best suits your needs, please give us a call. Otherwise, simply fill out the swim lesson application to join our waiting list.
Our Swim Programs
Nashville Dolphins offers programs for swimmers of all ages and abilities!
Little Phins is designed for our youngest swimmers, ages 0–3, and gives parents the opportunity to introduce their little ones to the water through safety, exploration, and early swimming fundamentals.
Future Dolphins is our entry-level learn-to-swim program for children and adults with little to no swimming experience, with individualized instruction focused on basic swimming skills and water safety.
Junior Dolphins is an invitation-only program for swimmers who can swim and are ready to improve their strokes and technique, build endurance, and learn to follow directions from the pool deck. Swimmers are invited to participate in Junior Dolphins based on their swimming skills, readiness, and ability to participate safely in the program.
Our Swim Team is also by invitation only and provides a traditional team experience with two to three practices each week focused on developing swimming skills and endurance. Swimmers have opportunities to compete in Special Olympics at the local, regional, and national levels, as well as participate in social activities.
If you are interested in joining Nashville Dolphins, please submit an application. The application will help us learn more about the swimmer and determine the program that best meets their needs and abilities.
For those interested in Swim Team, swimmers must be at least 8 years old, able to swim four laps on the surface of the water, follow directions from the side of the pool, and work in a lane with other swimmers.
After we review your application, we will reach out once a spot becomes available.
THANK YOU TO OUR POOL SPONSORS!
Our programs would not be possible without the generous pool time given to the Dolphins by several pools in the community.
To learn more about this wonderful organization and the JPMF Splash! program, visit https://jpmf.org/.
The Nashville Dolphins are proud to partner with the nationally recognized JPMF Splash! JPMF Splash is a water skills and safety program that teaches people with disabilities to “be safe and have fun in and around the water.” The program is based on five water safety rules developed specifically for individuals with disabilities.
Always swim with a Buddy.
No Running, No Pushing
STOP, LOOK, LISTEN when the Lifeguard Blows the Whistle
Blow Bubbles When Under Water
Put Feet Down/Stand Up When IN Trouble
Thank you to Our Partner Billy Footwear!
Billy Footwear’s mission is to create mainstream shoes that are fashionable, functional and inclusive for everyone! The zipper shoes revolutionize how footwear is put on and taken off.
When the link below is used, a 15% commission will also be generated for the Nashville Dolphins.
THANK YOU TO PROGRAM SUPPORT FROM FOUNDATIONS!
Through an annual grant cycle, the Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub gives out hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities for projects and programs benefiting youth and their families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
The USA Swimming Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming and is dedicated to supporting the pursuit of excellence for swimmers at all levels across our sport, from those just learning to swim, to age-group swimmers, to U.S. Olympic hopefuls. By providing funding to teams, athletes, and programs, the USA Swimming Foundation works to build champions and create a legacy for future generations of swimmers.
The Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund, Inc. is dedicated to improving the lives of children with special needs and their families. Joey was a wonderful 6-year-old with developmental disabilities, whose bright smile, hearty laugh, and love of life touched many people. JPMF Splash! is a unique water safety program that touches many aspects of our participants’ lives. It promotes physical fitness, exposes them and their families to a life-long leisure activity, as well as providing social interaction and community integration. To learn more about this wonderful organization and the JPMF Splash! program, visit https://jpmf.org/.
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. To Learn more, visit https://www.autismspeaks.org/
The Community Foundation awards discretionary grants annually from its unrestricted and field-of-interest funds through an open application process to Middle Tennessee nonprofit organizations addressing community needs and benefiting the well-being of citizens through valuable programs and innovative services. The Foundation connects generosity with need in order to build a stronger community for the future. To learn more, please visit www.CFMT.org.