Whether an individual is interested in learning how to swim in a recreational setting or competing at an international level, Fleet Swim Club is dedicated to helping swimmers reach their goals.

“We try to have something for everyone, whether you are swimming to stay in shape, want to get certified by SwimAmerica or want to compete in the Olympics,” said General Manager Paula Mulvihill, who has been an employee at the club since 2008.

The club was originally formed in 1975 by a small group of parents of students at Cy-Fair ISD, Mulvihill said. A grassroots effort, members brought in coaches and used CFISD swimming pools to start their own league and build competitive teams.

Through fundraising efforts, the group was able to purchase property to develop its own facility on Spring Cypress Road. In 1999, Fleet Swim Club built a 50-meter by 25-meter outdoor pool. Over the next few years, the group expanded the facility to include offices, and the indoor pool was added in 2006, Mulvihill said.

The services offered by Fleet Swim Club are twofold: People of all ages can enroll in lessons to learn how to swim, and more competitive school-age swimmers can join racing teams and enroll in training sessions to improve their speed and technique.

Swim lessons are offered Monday through Saturday, and roughly 600 lessons are given each week, Mulvihill said.

Lesson packages can also be organized in groups of four ($17.50 each), groups of two ($24 each) or privately ($48) and can be set according to what works for each student’s schedule, Mulvihill said. Each new student takes a free trial class to evaluate skill level.

Safety is stressed as a top priority during swimming lessons. Coaches have access to eight different swimming stations with different sets of steps for children to use to enter the pool.

“We teach younger children how to position themselves on their back and kick to the side of the pool so they know how to get to safety if they are in trouble,” she said. “The main thing is helping them get over the fear of water.”

The club advertises to bring in coaches from all over the U.S. for its competitive programs, Mulvihill said.

“We want our coaches to be the best, the most talented and the most motivational,” she said. “Being a coach is not something you do for the money. You do it for the love.”

Fleet owns property adjacent to its existing facility, and the management team is evaluating future expansion opportunities. A second indoor pool is being considered, Mulvihill said.

“We have room to put in another 25-yard pool either in the back or the front of our facility,” she said. “It would cost more to put it in the front because in that case, we’d also be looking to put in a storefront.”

In the meantime, Fleet will continue to teach novice students how to swim and train competitive swimmers how to get better, Mulvihill said.

“We think it’s so important for every child to learn to swim,” she said. “It you want to keep swimming at any level, we have a group for you.”