ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Winning gold for swimming in the Olympics has become a tradition for the U.S. men’s team, and one of their team members is attempting to bring some of that expertise to the Jacksonville area.
On Tuesday, nine-time Olympic medalist and Jacksonville native Ryan Murphy opened the Goldfish Swim School in Saint Johns, which becomes the franchise’s first location in Northeast Florida.
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Murphy, 29, has won five gold medals throughout his Olympic career and has become known for his backstroke, which he set an Olympic record for during the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
He is also an alumnus of The Bolles School, a prep school in Jacksonville known for its history of producing Olympic-level swimmers.
Related: Another medal for Bolles grad: Ryan Murphy wins bronze in 100 back
“My family is proud to own this new school to spread the importance of safe swimming and water safety in our hometown,” Murphy said. “I have led and observed countless swim lessons throughout my career, and the curriculum and culture that Goldfish Swim School offers is second to none.”
According to Goldfish Swim School, the organization teaches swimming through a practice known as “The Science of Swimplay,” which it describes as “our own special brand of guided play.”
“We‘re helping kids develop lifelong skills that allow them to grow and dive into new experiences in a safe environment, all while playing,” the swim school’s website reads.
The facilities offer a heated indoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art water purification, hair and swimsuit drying stations, private changing rooms, a private space for parties and events, and a viewing area for parents while their kids engage in lessons.
Classes are divided into five categories, Mini (least intense), Junior, Glider, Pro, and Swim Force (most intense). A lifeguard and a deck supervisor will be present at all lessons, and each lesson will have a ratio of about four students per instructor.
The CDC said that drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1 and 4, but the National Drowning Prevention Alliance states that formal swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning among children in that age range.
