Our History
In 2010, Coach Chuck Warner left his thirteen year stint as head swim coach at Rutgers University and, with the assistance of Coach Lisa Rivera, formed what is today The Little Dolphins Swim Academy (LDSA). Initially, the program drew 24 students to a local hotel pool one or two nights a week in rental space. To develop the curriculum, Coach Warner utilized his own 37 years of full-time swimming instruction with that of the Berkeley Aquatic Club (BAC), owned by Coach Jim Wood, and the Berkeley Swim School, directed by Coach Towney Brewster. Coach Warner has traveled the country and the world seeking the best concepts to build on and add to the LDSA teaching system.
In September of 2015, LDSA came home to its own pool in Bound Brook, New Jersey. An old house inspector building was purchased and completely renovated. Coach Warner designed every inch of the facility to maximize space and the pool for the comfort and success of its students and their families. By creating a space only for teaching, LDSA made no compromises for warm water, an underwater teaching bench, a climate controlled observation area, etc. And by having its own home, LDSA is available seven days a week for instruction.
The leadership of Little Dolphins Swim Academy is characterized by respect for family life, a passion for excellence and a commitment to integrity in business. Coach Warner’s background as a past President of the American Swimming Coaches Association (11,000+ members) and as Treasurer and Executive Board Member for the International Swimming Hall of Fame represents the respect Warner has among his peers. Three times, he has been a USA National Team Coach. In addition, he has coached seven “National Y” Championship Teams, three NCAA Division II runner-up teams and has been the personal coach of fifteen USA National Team Members including two Olympic Gold Medal winners. Warner has authored three books on swimming: “Four Champions, One Gold Medal” (1998), “…And Then They Won Gold: Stepping Stones for Swimming Excellence” (2012), and “EDDIE REESE: Coaching Swimming, Teaching Life” (2019).
Under Coach Warner’s direction, small people have a wonderful opportunity to not only become safe and proficient in swimming, but also to gain a world-class foundation if they wish to pursue competitive swimming as a sport.
Coach Warner’s daughter, Annie, learned to swim at the Berkeley Swim School and has now joined him as an instructor at LDSA.