Dobbeck Swim Club

Dobbeck Swim Club, beginner-friendly group swim at Ping Tom Pool in Chinatown.

Every other Saturday, we meet on the pool deck at 3:15 PM for the public Lap Swim window. Bring a suit, towel, goggles, and a swim cap if you wear one. Kickboards and pull buoys are available at the pool.

What a typical session looks like (~800m total, swim what you can):

• 100m kickboard warm-up
• 100m pull buoy
• 50m freestyle x 8 with a drill mixed in (catch-up, fingertip drag, 6-3-6, etc.)
• 200m easy closeout

If 800m is too much for week one, do half. If 800m is easy, add a 100m IM or another freestyle set. The format flexes to what you can do.

Who this is for: Adult beginner-to-intermediate swimmers comfortable swimming a 25m length unassisted. Not a learn-to-swim program. If freestyle is new for you, we're happy to point you toward Chicago Park District's adult Learn to Swim slot before joining the club.

Format note: This is a peer-led group meetup during a public Lap Swim session. Chicago Park District lifeguards are the only people authorized to coach on deck. Ryan swims alongside you, not coaching, and the lifeguards are who you ask for help in the water.

Cost: RSVP is free. Lap Swim is free this summer at Ping Tom (the $25/month membership is waived season-wide). Suggested donation $35 if you'd like to chip in, pay what feels right.

Pairs well with the 1 PM Calisthenics Workshop the same Saturdays, make it a Chicago endurance day.

Common Questions

Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?
No, but you do need to be comfortable swimming a 25m length unassisted. This is a beginner-to-intermediate adult swim group, not a learn-to-swim program. If you're newer than that, Chicago Park District runs an Adult Learn to Swim slot at this pool, start there first.

What should I bring?
Swimsuit, towel, goggles, and a swim cap if you wear one. Kickboards and pull buoys are available at the pool. A lock for the locker room is a good idea.

Is there a fee at the pool?
Not right now. Lap Swim at Ping Tom is free for the summer season (the Chicago Park District $25/month membership requirement is waived season-wide). After the summer season ends, lap swim normally needs a $25/month or $42/3-month CPD membership.

Will Ryan be coaching us?
No. Per Chicago Park District pool rules, only their certified Aquatics Unit staff can coach in the water. Ryan swims alongside you as a peer in the group, not as a coach. The on-duty lifeguards are who you ask for help in the water.

What does a typical session look like?
Around 800m total: 100m kickboard warm-up, 100m pull buoy, 50m freestyle x 8 with a drill mixed in (catch-up, fingertip drag, 6-3-6, etc.), then a 200m easy closeout. Swim what you can, cut it short or add to it based on where you're at.

What if I'm running late?
The Lap Swim window is only 45 minutes (3:15 to 4:00 PM). Come anyway, even 20 minutes in the water is better than skipping. Check in with the lifeguard and find an open lane.

Can I bring my kids?
Lap Swim at Ping Tom is adult-format and lane-based, not a fit for kids. Chicago Park District runs separate Parent and Child and Tiny Tot swim windows at the same pool, check the posted schedule for those times.

How do I get to Ping Tom Pool?
1700 S Wentworth Ave, in Chinatown. CTA Red Line to Cermak-Chinatown station is a 5-minute walk. Street parking around the park is usually findable on a Saturday afternoon. Pool entrance is at the Fieldhouse on the north end of the park.

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Host or Publisher Ryan Dobbeck