Meet the Team
Our Founder & CEO
Diana Freedman, the Owner of Sailor Swim LLC, has always had a profound connection to the water.
She has over 25 years of experience as an Aquatics professional. Diana created Sailor Swim after seeing a need for the program in her hometown of Oceanside, New York. She had an undeniable passion to instill a love of the water into those around her.
Diana grew up swimming competitively for Three Village Swim Club. She went on to swim at Division I Towson University. While obtaining her Master's Degree at Adelphi University, she spent four years coaching the Panthers Men's and Women's DII Swim Team.
In 2007, she took on an Administrative role in Campus Recreation at University of Maryland College Park where she gained experience hosting large international swim meets and managing, training, and certifying a staff of over 150 lifeguards. She also held a role as an Adjunct Kinesiology Professor at UMD, Howard County CC, and Takoma Park CC. In 2011, after a move back to Long Island she became the Aquatics Director at Life Time Fitness in Syosset. She helped build their swim lesson program enrollment to over 800 swimmers, created a swim team for kids, and a master's team for adults.
After having two children of her own who are now both competitive swimmers, a brief hiatus in Aquatics, and a worldwide pandemic, her desire to get back into the pool was undeniable. She developed the Sailor Swim model and is confident it will help any level swimmer achieve their aquatic goals with a curriculum that can be catered specifically to the swimmer, in a one-on-one learning environment. She uses gentle and positive reinforcement to build the swimmer's skills, confidence, and trust. Her communication style is clear and concise, with lots of praise and high fives. As a parent of a swimmer looking to develop and grow, Diana appreciates you for doing your research to find the right program for you!
*It is important to note that she is certified by the American Red Cross as a Lifeguard Instructor and holds current certificates in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, First Aid, & WSI.
Swim Instructor
Miss Melissa (Missy)
Missy has been involved in the swimming world as long as she can remember. She started competitive swimming at the age of nine, swam varsity all four years of high school, and participated in the club swim team at the University of Connecticut. She has been lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons since she was a teenager. She enjoys spreading her love of swimming and water safety with the next generation of swimmers. Prior to relocating to Long Island, she was the Aquatics Coordinator for the Lakewood Trumbull YMCA in Trumbull, CT, as well as the Head Boys Swim Coach at Bunnell High School and the Girls Diving Coach at Newtown High School. She currently teaches 8th grade middle school in Nassau County and enjoys spending time with her fiancé and her two dogs.
Swim Instructor
Mr. James
James has been teaching swim lessons to children and adults of all ages since 2010. He also taught martial arts for over 20 years. He loves helping people build confidence in the pool and in all areas of life! He has a Bachelor's degree in Business, but quickly realized that he loves to teach more than anything. He has never swam competitively, yet martial arts gave him the discipline to persevere, learn to swim, and become an awesome instructor. He has extensive experience with swimmers of all levels. He enjoys working with swimmers of all abilities including fearful beginners, intermediate swimmers and competitive swimmers looking to master particular techniques.
Swim Instructor
Miss Carolyn
Carolyn has been an Aquatics professional for over 30 years. This is not just a passion for her, it is a way of life. She has proudly been with Sailor Swim since its inception. She is one of a few American Red Cross WSIT. What is a WSIT? Simply put, she is certified by the American Red Cross to TEACH individuals HOW to become swim instructors and certify them as Water Safety Instructors! She also has many years of experience teaching Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid Courses. She has extensive experience specializing in working with both children and adults with disabilities and special needs. She has cultivated a following with many students who come back to her time and time again!