FOSTERING A LIFELONG LOVE OF WATER

Sweet Blue Swim Academy was founded by Cristina Teuscher, a two-time Olympian and Gold and Bronze medalist as well as six-time national champion, and by her husband, Amerigo Fabbri, former Dean and Lecturer at Yale University.

Located in Stamford, CT, Sweet Blue Swim Academy offers the finest education in swimming based on knowledge of and experience in the highest divisions of the swimming world. The distinctive feature that sets Sweet Blue Swim Academy apart from other institutions is its meticulous focus on mastering impeccable technique for all four strokes. Our programming brings learn-to-swim classes to children starting from 4 months of age up to adults. Finally, we offer Competitive Clinics as well as Adult Stroke Analysis classes for both competitive swimmers and Master Swimmers/Triathletes.

Sweet Blue cultivates excellence in the water to advance self-knowledge, confidence and resilience regardless of age. We also wish to present our students an opportunity to create, within the boundaries of the pool’s walls, their own safe space for learning and reflection. Finally, it is our desire to provide an outstanding service to our community while fostering a lifelong love of water.

We welcome you to learn to swim, develop your stroke, or refine your technique. To learn more about our available baby swimming classes or our other swimming lessons please feel free to contact us today. Our team is proud to include families from Darien, New Canaan, Greenwich & Stamford, CT, as well as from the larger Westchester County, including Rye, NY.

Hours of Operation:

STAMFORD (75 Third Street, Stamford, CT 06905):

  • Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM / 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Fall Semester 2024 begin and end: Saturday, September 7th — Friday, December 20th
  • Fall Holiday Schedule 2024:
  • Halloween: October 31st (no classes after 3PM)
  • Thanksgiving: Nov. 25th- Dec. 1st
  • Winter Break: Dec. 21st- Jan. 3rd

SWEET BLUE TEAM

Founder & Owner
Founder & Owner
Assistant Director of Administrative Operations
Senior Swim Instructor & Aquatics Manager
Swim Instructor & Facility Manager
Swim Instructor & Programs Officer, The Sweet Blue Foundation
Swim Instructor
Swim Instructor
Swim Instructor
Swim Instructor
Swim Instructor

FAQs

Sweet Blue Classes

How do I determine what class is best for my child?

We match the kids by age and ability level. Start by choosing a class that fits with your child’s ability. We avoid class level classification because we believe a strong social learning environment proves beneficial and fun in a learn-to-swim environment. If you have any questions regarding the best class fit for you or your child, just email or call us.

How long are your swim classes?

Our weekly Learn-to-Swim, Parent & Child and Stroke Excellence classes are 30 minutes long. Summer Intensives and Competitive Clinics classes are one hour-long classes.

Do I need to commit to a set number of classes or weeks?

Once you commit to a class, you will be entered in perpetual enrollment for that class where you will be charged on the first of each month for the classes in that month.  You can select a drop date by emailing us at hello@sweetblueswim.com with at least 30 days advance notice.

How many children are in a class?

Our Learn-to-Swim and Stroke Excellence classes are at a low 1:3 teacher to student ratio. Parent & Child classes have a 1:4 ratio. Competitive Clinics has a 1:4 ratio. We are focused on offering quality instruction in a safe and fun environment.

Do you offer private lessons?

We firmly believe that children and adults learn best in a social environment, which is why we group our students by age and general ability. Generally speaking, we do not offer private lessons, with the occasional exception of stroke refinement one-off classes for high-level competitive athletes or one-on-one classes for clients with special abilities. Please inquire at hello@sweetblueswim.com or 475-359-3528.

Should my child swim more than once a week?

Swimming is a sport and skill that grows with time, therefore the more time dedicated, the faster the progression you will see. However, the student’s personality and experience should be taken into account before making this decision with the main focus being on fun and safety.

Do I need to be in the water with my child(ren)?

All children under the age of three will be in Parent & Child classes; therefore, a guardian will need to accompany the child in the water. We firmly believe the parent is the child’s first teacher and in our Parent and Child classes, the swim instructor works closely with the parents to help build their child’s confidence and skills in the water. It is one of the most natural and rewarding bonding experiences for parent and child.

What are the criteria for putting together students in a class?

At Sweet Blue, we look to group students in classes where they will receive quality instruction in a fun socially interactive environment. We look to group based on skill and age level while keeping safety as a top priority.

Does Sweet Blue offer swim lessons for adults?

We offer Learn-to-Swim and Stroke Analysis classes for adults. If you are learning freestyle or backstroke, you would opt for an Adult Learn-to-Swim class. If you are refining your technique, be it for exercise or competition, choose an Adult Stroke Analysis class.

Does Sweet Blue have a swim team?

At this time, we do not have a swim team, but we do work on a regular basis with many competitive swimmers around the New York and Connecticut area.

Registration & Enrollment

Can I enroll in your swim classes at any time?

Yes, you can enroll in a class at any time, as long as there is space and the age and skill level are appropriate for the student.

Do you have a registration fee?

We have an annual $25 registration fee per swimmer.

Can I request to enroll in a class that is already full?

If the class you are interested in registering in is full, please waitlist for that class through your online account here https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/sweetblue. You waitlists for classes the same way your would enroll in a class. Add the class to your cart and check out (there is no charge for waitlisting).

Do you have a waiting list?

Yes, if you are interested in a class that is full, simply waitlist for that class through your online account here https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/sweetblue. You can sign up for as many waitlists as you want at a time. When a spot opens up and you’re next on the list we will contact you to offer you the opening.

My child is enrolled in the Winter Session: do I need to re-enroll him/her if I want him/her to continue through the spring?

All winter and spring classes are the same, so if you would like your child to continue through the spring, there’s no need to do anything.  The classes run on perpetual enrollment and you should only notify our staff via email at hello@sweetblueswim.com if you would like to discontinue classes.  Please allow for thirty days in advance to cancel your enrollment. Please note that Summer Session is a separate enrollment altogether and if you wish to continue classes, please let our staff know via email so we can accommodate your schedule.

Is there a specific process to drop a class?

If you wish to drop a class, please allow thirty days advance notice to do so. To drop a class through our portal, please login into our parent portal, and click on “Enrollments” on the left hand side of the screen. You will see the class(es) your child(ren)’s is/are enrolled in. Click on “View Enrollment”. You will then be able to select the option “Drop” to drop that class.

Otherwise, you can also send an email to hello@sweetblueswim.com to confirm or request your drop date.

What happens in the event of a medical emergency and my child will be forced out of the water for some time?

Medical emergencies are unfortunate and not planned incidences.  Therefore, we offer the ability to put your enrollment on hold should such a situation occur.  We ask that you please notify us immediately of the situation with expected absences.  We reserve the right to request a doctor’s notice to place a hold on your account.

Dropping a Class

How do I discontinue my child’s enrollment?

To drop a class through our portal, please login into our parent portal, and click on “Enrollments” on the left hand side of the screen. You will see the class(es) your child(ren)’s is/are enrolled in. Click on “View Enrollment”. You will then be able to select the option “Drop” to drop that class.

Otherwise, you can send a written notice via email to: hello@sweetblueswim.com. This serves to protect families so they can show date of discontinuation request, as monthly billing is directly linked to discontinuation request date. Without proof of discontinuation in email, credits/refunds will not be given.

What happens in the event of a medical emergency?

In the unfortunate event of a medical emergency, we offer the ability to put your enrollment on hold should such a situation occur.  We ask that you please notify us immediately of the situation with expected absences.  We reserve the right to request a doctor’s notice to place a hold on your account. Please note that in some circumstances a class change may make most sense for a student as the class continues to progress while the child is absent. However, we do not credit for missed classes due to minor illness nor flu.

Is it possible for my child to take a break from swim lessons?

Your child can certainly take a break from swim classes.  Please allow for thirty days (30) advance notice to drop a class.  Also, it should be noted that we do not reserve class spaces, they are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, so we cannot guarantee your child will be able to return to the same class.

Make-up Policy

What is your make-up policy?

Because of our strict student to teacher ratio, missed classes will not result in make-up classes, prorated tuition or refunds. No refunds for classes missed, including scheduled holidays.

However, we understand that perfect storms of situations can happen, so we are willing to offer a one make-up class per session (winter, spring or summer).  Make-ups are based on availability and are not guaranteed. You are paying monthly tuition for your child’s spot in their weekly class. Please reserve these instances for true emergencies. Please honor the spirit of this privilege and use it only for serious illness or conflicts.  We do not provide make-ups for missed make up lessons.

You are responsible for payment for your student’s classes whether of not your student attends class until the time you notify Sweet Blue via written notice. Please do not rely on your student to verbally let us know that he/she will no longer be attending classes. If a student stops coming to class without notification then that student’s account will be charged for the additional 30 days.

What is the rationale for your policy?

While we try to be flexible, it can be disruptive to the learning environment created in each class with overuse of rescheduling.  It can negatively affect classes and your child’s progression.

Billing & Payment

How does Sweet Blue bill for classes?

Each month, you will receive email notification of estimated charges for the coming month of lessons.  On the first of the month, the payment method you have chosen to keep on file with Sweet Blue will be charged.

Will I be charged immediately as I enroll through the portal?

When you actively enroll in a class at Sweet Blue, you will go through the checkout process and payment for the desired class will be charged to your credit card.

What are my payment options?

You can sign up for direct debit or credit card charge via your online account with Sweet Blue.  We also accept payment by check or cash, but this method must be pre-approved by emailing hello@sweetblueswim.com.

Are absences from classes excused?

Missed classes will not result in make-up classes, prorated tuition or refunds. No refunds for classes missed, including scheduled holidays.  Please read Make-up policy for more detailed information.

Do you have a refund policy?

We understand that at times you may not be happy with a service provided.  At Sweet Blue, we strive to foster a community and meet our families’ needs to the best of our ability.  If you are unhappy with the service provided, please email hello@sweetblueswim.com or call us at: 475-359-3528.

Diaper Policy

What is your diaper policy?

We follow the State Health Department recommendation and require double diapering: a re-usable swim diaper and a Happy Nappy to go over the swim diaper. This of course pertains to under the age of three or those who aren’t potty trained.

Please note that disposable diapers are not allowed as they come undone in the water, and are unable to prevent leaks.

Why should I use a re-usable diaper instead of a disposable one?

Unfortunately, disposable diapers to not provide a snug fit once they become wet, especially around the thighs, thus creating the likelihood of leaking should your child have an accident.

Am I required to use a Happy Nappy on top of a re-usable swim diaper?

The two re-usable diapers we require are a snug fitting diaper such as a Finis or iPlay of Charlie Banana swim diaper underneath and a Happy Nappy diaper on top.

Where can I buy swim diapers and Happy Nappies?

We find Finis and Happy Nappy swim diapers to be the best combination of protection. We sell them at retail pricing for your convenience.

Are you trying to increase your sales of swim diapers and Happy Nappies?

No, we follow the department of health recommendations for keeping the pool clean.  We sell the diapers at retail pricing for your convenience, should you not have time to purchase your own or forget a diaper.

Is this really important? Is this often an issue?

Diaper accidents result in the cancellation of classes for a period of 24 hours, creating a disappointment for many families.  Please be respectful of your fellow Sweet Blue family members and protect our water.

AFFILIATIONS