For Danielle Bakic, teaching children to swim has always been about more than helping them master a new skill. After 13 years as a competitive swimmer and an experience saving her mother’s life in the ocean as a teenager, she developed a personal understanding of just how important swimming can be.
She began teaching swimming at 18, and spent the following 16 years helping young swimmers progress in backyard pools. After experiencing issues with access to facilities, she and her husband Preston decided to build a dedicated indoor spot.
“Quitting was never an option. I’m simply too passionate about what I do” she shared.
Today, that passion is the foundation of Swimming Fishies Swim School, her family-owned business in Argyle that helps students build confidence and develop life-saving skills. That flagship, located at 820 Indian Trail, will soon be joined by its second location, coming to Little Elm in the spring.
Swimming Fishies features a heated pool maintained at approximately 90 degrees. Danielle has also patented a swim-training device intended to teach children proper kicking technique, an important foundation for learning to swim.
The pool has colorful murals designed to create an inviting environment for young students. Danielle, who is also an artist, personally spent more than 500 hours painting the artwork throughout the school. She has also written two children’s books, My 1st Swim Adventure and My Swim Adventure, which introduce swimming concepts through the school’s characters, Millie the Mermaid and Sammy the Shark.
“Our brand is about so much more than swimming,” she explains. “We want children to believe in themselves, overcome their fears, and proudly say, ‘I CAN DO IT!’ and ‘I AM BRAVE AND STRONG!’”
With a team of 20 swim coaches, Swimming Fishies serves students ranging from babies as young as 12 months to adults and triathletes. Instruction includes private and small-group lessons, advanced stroke development, and a summer swim team. Swimming Fishies reports a 100% success rate for eligible children ages four and older in its qualifying program.
“Too often, children spend months or even years in swimming lessons without developing the skills they need,” Danielle says. “Our mission is to help children become strong, confident swimmers as quickly and safely as possible.”
“Having saved my own mother’s life, I know firsthand how important these skills are. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn to swim, and every parent deserves the peace of mind that comes from knowing their child is developing those abilities,” she continued.
As the school continues to grow, the Bakics are looking to bring their approach to more North Texas families. For Danielle and Preston, they want students to leave the pool with practical skills, greater confidence, and the ability to respond when it matters most.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring Swimming Fishies to Little Elm while continuing to serve the wonderful families in Argyle,” Danielle shared. “Our dream is to eventually reach even more communities throughout North Texas and beyond.”
