What Swim Angelfish does

Swim Angelfish is a private, founder-led adaptive aquatics company founded in 2000 by pediatric Physical Therapist Ailene Tisser and pediatric Occupational Therapist Cindy Freedman, operating through two LLCs (Angelfish Therapy LLC in CT/NY and Swim Whisperers Swim School New England LLC in MA/NH) from its Stamford, CT headquarters. The company delivers adaptive swim lessons and OT/PT-led aquatic therapy to children and adults with autism, sensory needs, motor challenges, developmental disabilities, and trauma at 13 partner pool locations across Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, while also providing out-of-network aquatic therapy billable under CPT code 97113 and third-party-billed through schools and Department of Developmental Services agencies.

The core technology is the proprietary Swim Whisperers methodology — a structured framework of 14 common roadblocks and 11 Areas of Focus developed by the OT/PT co-founders over 30 years of pediatric practice, packaged into a four-level online certification program delivered through Teachable and supported by CEU approvals from ASCA, IAFTC, and YMCA. Operational tooling is deliberately lightweight: Jane App for scheduling and client portal, Teachable for course delivery, and human instruction delivered by certified adaptive swim instructors and licensed aquatic therapists; there is no disclosed AI/ML capability.

The business model blends unit-priced consumer services (private $75-$150, semi-private $55-$110, group $47-$94 per 30/45/60-minute session; aquatic therapy $62-$186 per 15/30/45-minute session; $60 annual swim membership) with one-time professional certification revenue (Level 1 $599, Levels 2-4 $225 each, with tiered group discounts up to 33%) and a growing library of à la carte CEU courses priced $75-$299. Distribution runs through direct-to-consumer marketing (website, organic search, social, partner referrals) for swim families and through B2B channels — swim school franchises (Big Blue, British Swim School), YMCAs, and instructor scholarships (JT Fortin Foundation, Stew Leonard III, OAPP) — for the professional certification segment.

Name

Swim Angelfish

Legal name

Angelfish Therapy LLC / Swim Whisperers Swim School New England LLC

Website

https://swimangelfish.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Swim Angelfish is a private adaptive aquatics company founded in 2000 that delivers OT/PT-led swim lessons and aquatic therapy for individuals with special needs at 13 pool locations across CT, NY, MA, and NH, and sells a proprietary Swim Whisperers certification program to swim instructors globally through Teachable.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stamford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Adaptive Swim Lessons: Private, semi-private, and group swim lessons for children and adults with special needs. Session-based pricing with 30, 45, and 60-minute options. Annual swim membership fee of $60 per child.
2. Aquatic Therapy Services: OT/PT-based aquatic therapy sessions provided by licensed aquatic therapists. Billed as outpatient Physical or Occupational Therapy (CPT code 97113). Out-of-network provider; families self-submit to insurance.
3. Swim Whisperers Certification: Online multi-level certification program for swim instructors. Level 1: $599, Levels 2-4: $225 each. Group discounts available (5-33% for Level 1). CEU credits available through ASCA, IAFTC, and YMCA.
4. Aquatic Therapy Training Courses: Continuing education courses for aquatic therapists including Totally Treatment ($299), Splashing into Reflexes ($100), Case Studies Bundle ($75), and Overcome Roadblocks course.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Swim Angelfish delivers adaptive swim lessons and aquatic therapy for children and adults with autism, sensory needs, motor challenges, and other disabilities using the proprietary Swim Whisperers® Methodology. The company also trains and certifies swim instructors and aquatic therapists worldwide through an online multi-level certification program (Levels 1-4) and continuing-education courses.

Product overview

Swim Angelfish is a service-based company offering adaptive aquatic programs. The core offerings include Adaptive Swim Whisperers® Lessons (Private, Semi-Private, Small Group, and Swim Team formats) and Angelfish Aquatic Therapy sessions. For professionals, the Swim Whisperers® Multi-Level Certification Program (Levels 1-4) teaches adaptive swim instruction methodology, while aquatic therapy training courses (Totally Treatment, Splashing into Reflexes, Overcome Roadblocks, Case Study Bundle) provide continuing education for therapists. Supporting products include the Adaptive Water Safety Toolkit, Inclusive Water Safety Activity Book, and Waterproof Visual Schedule. The company operates primarily in New England (CT, MA, NH, NY) and offers an online learning platform via Teachable for certification and training programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Swim Whisperers: Adaptive swim instruction methodology and certification program developed by Swim Angelfish co-founders Ailene Tisser (PT) and Cindy Freedman (OT). Multi-level certification program for swim instructors teaching swimmers with special needs.
• Angelfish Aquatic Therapy

Products and services

• Private Adaptive Swim Lessons One-to-one customized adaptive swim instruction using the Swim Whisperers® Methodology for children (ages 4 months) through adults with autism, sensory needs, motor challenges, physical disabilities, or developmental differences. Pricing is $75 per 30-minute session, $112.50 per 45-minute, and $150 per 60-minute session.
• Semi-Private Adaptive Swim Lessons Semi-private adaptive swim instruction pairing two swimmers with one Swim Whisperers® certified instructor (1:2 ratio) for ages 6 months through adults. Sessions run 30-45 minutes at $55-$82.50 per session.
• Small Group Adaptive Swim Lessons Small-group adaptive swim lessons with 3-4 swimmers per Swim Whisperers® certified instructor, grouped by skill level. Focus on endurance, laps, pre-diving skills, swim drills, and strengthening. Priced $47-$94 per 30/45/60-minute session.
• Swim Team Adaptive Swim Lessons Adaptive swim team training for swimmers ages 8-18 years under a Swim Whisperers® instructor, focused on endurance, stroke refinement, competitive skills, drills, diving, and flip turns.
• Angelfish Aquatic Therapy Outpatient aquatic therapy provided by specially trained Physical and Occupational Therapists using the therapeutic properties of water to address sensory input, core strength, motor planning, visual-motor input, body awareness, and bilateral coordination. Sessions priced $62-$186 per 15-45 minute session; services billable as outpatient PT/OT (CPT 97113) and reimbursable as an out-of-network provider.
• Swim Whisperers® Multi-Level Certification Program (Levels 1-4) Online multi-level certification program (Levels 1-4) for swim instructors, aquatic therapists, and program directors teaching swimmers with special needs. Includes video content, case studies, in-water workshops, practicum, quizzes, exams, and 12 months of course access via Teachable.
• Totally Treatment: Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Course 5-hour online continuing-education course covering 10 aquatic therapy treatment techniques for strengthening muscles, improving balance, and addressing sensory needs in pediatric clients. Priced at $299.
• Splashing into Reflexes: Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Course 2-hour online continuing-education course on common primitive reflexes and aquatic therapy interventions, priced at $100.
• Overcome Roadblocks: Swim Whisperers® Strategies for Aquatic Therapy 2-hour online continuing-education course equipping aquatic therapists with tools to identify and conquer the 14 common roadblocks in swimmers with special needs.
• Aquatic Therapy: Case Study Bundle Bundle of 5 detailed case studies including live session videos and handling technique explanations for aquatic therapy professionals, priced at $75.
• Swim Angelfish Consultation Services Consultation services for swim schools, YMCAs, and aquatic organizations seeking to build or expand adaptive aquatics programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of certification participants would recommend the program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing CEU approvals and professional recognition for Swim Angelfish aquatic therapy training courses. Logo displayed on partner page.
• Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAOAP has endorsed Swim Angelfish online courses as the first product to receive this recognition. Provides CEU approvals and marketing partnership for adaptive aquatics courses.
• American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASCA provides CEU approval for Swim Whisperers certification program. Partner logo displayed on community page.
• Aquatic Therapy Rehab InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for aquatic therapy professional development and continuing education recognition.
• Big Blue Swim SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwim school partner offering Swim Whisperers certified instruction at their locations.
• British Swim SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational swim school franchise partner with certified Swim Whisperers instructors.
• Starfish Aquatics InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAI Approved Training Provider for Starfish Swim School Instructor Development System. Partners also benefit from Swim Angelfish training programs.
• JT Fortin FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit foundation that raises funds and awards scholarships for Swim Angelfish Adaptive Swim Lessons for children with documented developmental disorders or autism.
• Stew Leonard III Water Safety FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough Step Into Swim initiative, provides grants enabling Swim Angelfish to offer Adaptive Swim Lesson Scholarships in 2026 for children with disabilities.
• Only Alpha Pool Products (OAPP) Down Syndrome Advocacy ProgramcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOAPP provides 20 scholarships per month (subject to funds) offering 50% discount on Swim Whisperers Level 1 certification ($299.50) for instructors committed to adaptive aquatics for diverse populations.
• National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization recognizing Swim Angelfish as NDPA Lifesaver of the Year 2025 for drowning prevention work with special needs population.
• Stop Drowning NowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrowning prevention organization partner working to reduce drowning statistics through adaptive aquatics training.
• USA Swimming FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting water safety and learn-to-swim initiatives. Logo displayed on community partnerships page.
• Swim AmericaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLearn-to-swim program partner. Logo displayed on community partnerships page.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• British Swim School: Franchise-based swim school with national footprint that offers adaptive and special-needs swim lessons. Direct competitor for both swim instruction customers and certified instructor talent, and is also an active Swim Angelfish channel partner.
• Goldfish Swim School: Largest US swim school franchise with 150+ locations offering lessons to children including special needs swimmers. Competes for the same parent demographic and instructor pool; broad incumbent in the franchise swim instruction category.
• SafeSplash Swim School: National franchise swim school (part of Streamline Brands) offering private, semi-private, and group lessons with adaptive offerings. Direct peer on lesson format, target customer, and franchise economics.
• Big Blue Swim School: Multi-site franchise swim school that operates small-group and private lessons for children, including adaptive programs. Closely comparable on customer base, lesson format, and franchise-driven growth model, and is listed as a Swim Angelfish channel partner.
• Sunsational Swim School: National in-home and community-pool private swim instruction provider serving children and adults, including adaptive lessons. Direct peer on private-lesson delivery model and instructor-led services.
• Aqua-Tots Swim Schools: Franchise swim school operator with multi-state presence focused on year-round lessons for children, including adaptive aquatics. Competes for instructor talent and family customers in similar geographies.
• Starfish Aquatics Institute: Swim instruction curriculum and instructor certification provider that licenses its program to swim schools. Comparable to Swim Whisperers as a methodology-and-certification business; also an active Swim Angelfish partner.
• SwimLabs (Streamline Brands): Premium swim instruction brand focused on small-group, technique-driven lessons for children. Operates in similar lesson-format and customer demographic as Swim Angelfish private/semi-private adaptive offerings.

Others

• Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute: Continuing education and certification body for aquatic therapy professionals. Comparable to Swim Angelfish's therapist-training CEU business, and an active Swim Angelfish partner organization.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA Aquatics Programs: National nonprofit operator of community pools and learn-to-swim programs, including adaptive aquatics at many branches. Broad incumbent that is also a Swim Angelfish channel partner, hosting services and certifying staff through Swim Whisperers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SAadaptiveswim
• Facebookfacebook.com/swimangelfish

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Swim Angelfish