Local Business Spotlight: Long Island Swim School

This Patch article is sponsored by Long Island Swim School.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Alexis Skelos, Executive Director, of Long Island Swim School.

Patch: Tell us a bit about your business or organization:
Alexis Skelos: At Long Island Swim School, we teach children to swim the same way the best in the world do. By using age-appropriate, proven techniques children build real skills in kick, pull, body position, and breath control. Our logical, consistent progression turns every fundamental—whether blowing bubbles or learning butterfly timing—into a building block for efficient, confident swimming. Give your child the tools to become a true lifelong swimmer with the area’s most advanced learn-to-swim program.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?
Alexis Skelos: Over 45 years

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?
Alexis Skelos: People often ask us, “What makes Long Island Swim School different?” The answer is easy. Our professional staff are swimmers and coaches with the knowledge to give your child the skills to achieve more than just water safety. We provide the best foundation possible for success. Not every child will dream of Olympic glory, but every child should have the foundation to take them there. Whether the end goal is a competitive journey or a recreational one, whether your child competes in 2044 or they are happy playing in their home pool, the skills they learn at Long Island Swim School will take them as far as their dreams allow.

Patch: What's the most common piece of advice you give to customers?
Alexis Skelos: Swimming is one of the healthiest lifetime habits your child will learn. In addition to its physical health and fitness benefits, swimming has a host of social, emotional, and mental health rewards as well. Physical activity boosts endorphins, which boost brain function. Regular exercise like swimming has been proven to help with attention, focus, time management, and productivity in school. Learning to conquer fears in the pool helps children develop confidence in all areas of their lives, making them more outgoing and resilient. From age 2 to 102, swimming is a life sport that provides benefits far beyond the competitive arena.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Alexis Skelos: Not every child will have the talent or desire to compete at the sport's highest level. But the skills children learn as a student at Long Island Swim School put them in a position to be successful at other levels of the sport. We are always thrilled to see our former students competing with their high school and summer swim teams, or going on to become lifeguards and swim instructors themselves. They cite the lessons they learned early on here as being instrumental to their passion to continue swimming. Whether they go from beginner to Olympian, or reap the many other rewards that swimming has to offer, we are proud to provide opportunities for success at every level.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?
Alexis Skelos: Long Island Swim School is proud to be the teaching arm of Long Island Aquatic Club (LIAC). This relationship makes us unique in our ability to provide a path to competitive greatness for those who wish to pursue it. Any Olympic, national, or collegiate athlete will tell you that success starts with a strong foundation of skills and a passion for the sport. At Long Island Swim School our aim is to provide your swimmers with both. Children have the opportunity to progress on a path from our learn to swim lessons through our stroke clinic program, and ultimately to the national and international level of our sport. LIAC provides opportunities for success at every level. Our age group swimmers compete locally and regionally, and our senior swimmers regularly compete at the National and International level. Consistently ranked among the top teams in the nation, LIAC most recently finished in 6th place in the USA Swimming Club Excellence program.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?
Alexis Skelos: Visit our website at longislandswimschool.com, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or call (516) 378-8467 for more information.