Junior swim team
Lessons that become training — small groups, real coaching, a path from first lap to first meet.
Chicago · North Shore · Opening 2027
The next step
after swim school.
Swim schools teach millions of kids to swim. Then fewer than 3% keep going. Propeller is the professional club that catches them — built by the team that grew Big Blue Swim School to 100+ locations.
- Headed into swim schools this decade
- $10B
- Of swim-ready kids stay in the sport
- <3%
- Franchise units sold by our founders
- 239
The post-lesson cliff
Demand exists. Delivery doesn't.
More than 10 million kids take swim lessons in the US every year. When they graduate, families look for what comes next — and find volunteer-run clubs with borrowed pool time and waitlists.
USA Swimming's retention hit a record low of 64.9% in 2024. The problem isn't demand. It's a club worth staying for.
10M+kids in swim lessons each year
<3%reach club or high-school swimming
The club
One pool. Every reason to stay.
Competitive team
Bronze, Silver and Gold groups with professional coaches and a schedule families can plan around.
Water polo & fitness
Water polo for kids who want a team sport, and adult fitness that fills the early mornings.
We own our water
A dedicated 10-lane facility — no rented lanes, no bumped practices, room to grow every program.
We built the playbook
Done it before.
- 100+
- Big Blue locations
- 239
- Franchise units sold
- 5
- Corporate-owned pools
- 500
- Full & part-time staff
John Lonergan
Co-Founder & CEO
Co-founder and former CEO of Big Blue Swim School — grew it from one location to 100+. D1 swimmer, University of Iowa.
Michael Lonergan
Co-Founder & COO
Former COO of Big Blue Swim School — ran operations across 100+ locations. D1 swimmer, University of Evansville.
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