1851

<a href="https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=big-blue-swim-schools-founding-story-how-chris-dejong-created-a-stand-out-concept-in-the-learn-to-swim-category-2718494" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Big Blue Swim School</a>, one of the nation’s fastest-growing swim school franchises, was founded in 2009 with a mission to show kids they can do anything by unlocking their full potential in the water.&nbsp;The brand’s<a href="https://1851franchise.com/bigblueswimschool/qa-with-chris-dejong-co-founder-and-cmo-of-big-blue-swim-school-2708495"> founder, Chris DeJong</a>, is a five-time U.S. National Champion swimmer and a former American record holder, but he didn’t start out like a fish in water.Growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan, DeJong’s mom enrolled him in swim lessons when he was five years old. DeJong still has vivid memories of the first time he entered a frigid pool with 30 other kids and an instructor who could not provide individual help. Cold and clinging to the side of the pool, DeJong was terrified of the water and felt singled out for his fear.&nbsp;“Eventually, I decided to face my fears and by literally taking it one step at a time. Each day I went one step deeper into the pool,” DeJong said. “A week later, I worked my way to the bottom step, and there, my passion for being in the water was ignited. After many more lessons, I began swimming competitively at the age of eight and found great success in the water.”DeJong went on to become a member of the U.S. National Swim Team from 2003 to 2009, winning five national titles as a middle-distance freestyler and backstroker. He was captain of the University of Michigan Men’s Swimming and Diving team, where he earned multiple All-American and All-Big Ten recognitions. DeJong worked with the same coach who trained Michael Phelps, helping him earn the No. 4 rank in the U.S. and No. 5 rank in the world for his backstroke.&nbsp;DeJong had his sights set on the Olympics but missed qualifying for the team in 2004 and 2008 by three-tenths of a second. But those years of competitive swimming exposed DeJong to dozens of coaches, teaching methods, and programs, and he noted he always felt the learn-to-swim process was flawed.&nbsp;“My experience swimming at every level, from age-group swimming to international competitions, gave me a unique perspective on everything that could be improved with swimming instruction, especially at the entry point,” he said. “Developing a love for the water is what builds confidence. With confidence, a child is able to become a truly successful swimmer.”&nbsp;When DeJong moved to Chicago and began teaching swim lessons, he quickly discovered a new kind of passion for the sport.&nbsp;“Seeing a young child make the transformation from being afraid to even look at a pool to going underwater for the first time was a big part of the motivation to start my own business,” he said.&nbsp;So in 2009, DeJong took that passion a step further by opening Big Blue Swim School in the Chicago suburb of Glenview, Illinois. Over the next few years, the business quickly caught on, growing to serve thousands of families across five pools in Chicagoland.&nbsp;DeJong believed there was a better way to teach kids to swim so he created a school that does just that.&nbsp;Big Blue has changed the way students learn to swim and changed the swim lesson experience for the entire family. As a result, it carved out a dominant role in the swim school industry.Eight years after its first pool opening, Big Blue caught the attention of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lfivecapital.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=big-blue-swim-schools-founding-story-how-chris-dejong-created-a-stand-out-concept-in-the-learn-to-swim-category-2718494" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Level 5 Capital Partners</a>, which invested to help the brand launch its national franchising strategy. Through expansion, Big Blue has plans to open 400 locations, which would address one-third of the 48 million children 12 and under in the U.S.&nbsp;Now, just three years into franchising, Big Blue&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/bigblueswimschool/big-blue-swim-school-starts-2022-with-a-splash-reaches-goal-of-50-locations-sold-within-three-years-2718290#">has signed agreements for more than 200 locations in 24 states</a>, and is well on its way to achieving what it set out to do.Multi-unit franchise opportunities are available for qualified candidates looking for their next big opportunity, and veterans can receive a 10 percent discount on the $80,000 franchise fee. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a new Big Blue Swim School is $2,334,223 to $3,641,998 (refer to item 7 in FDD) To learn more or inquire about Big Blue Swim School, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=big-blue-swim-schools-founding-story-how-chris-dejong-created-a-stand-out-concept-in-the-learn-to-swim-category-2718494" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/.</a>

Big Blue Swim School’s Founding Story: How Chris DeJong Created a Stand Out Concept in the Learn-to-Swim Category

1851 Franchise

Learn more about the swim school’s history and the inspiration behind the brand.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

big-blue-swim-schools-founding-story-how-chris-dejong-created-a-stand-out-concept-in-the-learn-to-swim-category

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Strong Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

servicemaster-restore-powers-into-the-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-growth-and-purpose-driven-impact

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

Big Blue Swim School’s Founding Story: How Chris DeJong Created a Stand Out Concept in the Learn-to-Swim Category

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS