Saving Lives: One Fishy at a Time
This summer, paddle on over to Swimming Fishies Swim School in the heart of Argyle, where every splash tells a story of perseverance, purpose, and life-saving impact. More than just a place to learn strokes, it’s a magical, uplifting environment—designed and painted by founder Danielle Bakic herself for over 400+ hours—to ensure every child feels joy, wonder, and encouragement from the moment they walk through the door.
Though the facility officially opened just three years ago, Danielle Bakic is a seasoned swim coach with over two decades of experience. Swimming Fishies was born from her lifelong passion and an unshakable mission: to eradicate childhood drowning in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children under 4 years of age, and Danielle is determined to be part of the solution.
Her journey to building this dream was anything but easy. In 2019, after years of coaching at pools across the metroplex, Danielle and her family believed they had finally found the perfect home to open their swim school. But only one week later, the HOA issued a cease-and-desist. They were forced to move. The same heartbreaking situation occurred again at a second location, despite having full approvals and contracts in place. Through tears, setbacks, and endless pool rentals, Danielle refused to give up.
A former swim captain and competitive swimmer, Danielle’s grit runs deep. At just 17 years old, she saved her own mother from drowning in the ocean. And years later, during a swim practice, she survived a severe leg cramp—saving herself while lifeguards were present. These defining moments only deepened her belief that every child must be equipped with the skills to save their own life.
Today, Danielle leads Swimming Fishies with heart, purpose, and innovation. Unlike traditional swim schools, Swimming Fishies only offers private lessons, with the exception of stroke development and swim team programs. The school serves infants through competitive swimmers, and also passionately supports students with special needs, as well as adults who never learned to swim.
Voted Best Swim School in Denton County in 2024, Swimming Fishies focuses on more than technique. It’s a place where children gain confidence, resilience, and life-saving ability. The walls are filled with affirmations like “I can do it!” and “I’m Brave and Strong,” empowering children to believe in themselves—both in and out of the water.
In addition, Danielle has authored two inspiring children’s books that every child receives on their first day of swim school. My Swim Adventure and My 1st Swim Adventure were written to spark a love of swimming from an early age.
Looking ahead, Swimming Fishies plans to open a second location in Summer 2026, extending its life-saving mission to even more families. And Danielle has now patented a revolutionary swim device that helps teach proper kicks—the foundation of swimming—which helps her students make rapid progress.
Don’t wait. Sign your child up today. Visit Swimming Fishies Swim School and give your child the gift of confidence, strength, and water safety. Because every child deserves to be safe—and every parent deserves peace of mind.
