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Aruba Dolphins Zwem en Waterpolo Vereniging

In 1975 Aruba’s swimming legend Roly Bisslik started out the team with a few friends and family. Back then the workouts were done from the shore of the Commandeurs Bay where a few hand painted lines on the rocks marked the 25, 50 and 100 meters.
It was always his dream to build an Olympic Pool in his hometown of Savaneta.
His dream became a reality when, on August 7, 1988, he swam for a little bit more than 10 hours from the northern shore of Venezuela to Aruba in a very treacherous and rough sea as a fundraising event for his swim team.
Up to this day it is the biggest event ever that captured the hearts and souls of almost all Arubans and who donated enough money for the team to buy a lot of land right in his backyard.
This lot of land was sold to the government of Aruba for the symbolic price of afl. 1.00 with the sole purpose of constructing an Olympic size pool.
The pool now proudly carries his name.

Our mission is to promote the sport of swimming in all it’s aspects. The Aruba Dolphins is the largest swim team in Aruba and is a member of the Aruba Swimming Federation (A.Z.B.). The Aruba Dolphins is governed by a board of directors.

Purpose of the organization

Aruba Dolphins Swimming & Water Polo Club’s long-term goals are to :

increase the number of swimmers in Aruba in year-round programs

provide and/or promote a variety of swimming programs, including “learn-to-swim” programs, developmental programs, and competitive swim teams including water polo and Masters group

develop and/or promote the development of an adequate aquatic facility such as the Pisina Olimpico Roly Bisslik in Savaneta

recognize swimmers who have achieved significant goals locally and internationally, including Olympians;

support, assist, or collaborate with locals teams and/or other swimming organizations on programs or projects which are consistent with Federation goals and enhance the swimming experience for Aruban youth

create a positive, collaborative, and motivating environment for swimming in Aruba.

Services/Activities

Aruba Dolphins Swimming & Water Polo Club offers a variety of aquatic and swim team programs serving the entire island of Aruba. We provide the highest quality development swim program for swimmers of all ages and abilities using interactive coaching. Programs are offered at the Piscina Olimpico in Savaneta. These programs include:

The Elementary League, also referred to as the learners, is our introductory swim team program. It i s open to swimmers ages 4 and older who want to learn the art of swimming. The focus is on learning techniques of the different strokes, development and fun. This team does not participate in competitions. Swimmers participate in local swim exams to test their swim skills and abilities and are being certified for their basic swim abilities and skills.

We offer a variety of training groups based upon age and ability. We have one swimming season that runs from August to July.

The Age Group Swimmers are divided in 4 levels.
Level I, (6-8) and level II (9-11) are our beginners-level. We offer a year-round program for swimmers who want to participate in swimming competitions.
Level III (12-14) is our intermediate level and offers a year-round program for swimmers who want to participate in swimming competitions on a much higher level.
Level IV is our top level and also offers a year-round program for swimmers who want to participate in swimming competitions. This level works in conjunction with our National Swim Team and is for the more experienced and ready for a higher level of development, training, and competition swimmers.

Masters: The focus is on learning techniques of the different strokes, development of the physical condition and fun. We also offer stroke clinics for swimmers interested in specialized stroke training, either individual or in groups. This team also has limited competition experience, but is growing and developing very fast. Once a year there is a selected more advanced group that travels abroad for international competition with satisfactory to good results.

The Water polo Team is Aruba Dolphins Swimming water polo team. This team has been non-active for the past years, but is considering now to pick up with a new breed of athletes to showcase their aquatic performance.

Affiliated with

The Aruba Dolphins is the largest swim team in Aruba and is a member of the Aruba Swimming Federation (A.Z.B.).

Opening hours

Contact information organization

Contact person(s)

Additional Information

Established in:
1975-01-01