Meet Our Team
SEBASTIAN SHINDEL | HEAD COACH | FOUNDER & CEO
Services: Pinellas, Hillsborough, & Pasco
Sebastian Shindel’s connection to the water began in early childhood, growing up in a family that was always involved in water activities and sports. Years spent around the water eventually led Sebastian to competitive swimming in high school, but it was teaching that quickly became the path he felt most drawn to.
After working with several local programs, Sebastian recognized that traditional swim instruction often followed a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. Inspired in part by conversations with his mother, an occupational therapist, Sebastian began working with neurodivergent children alongside his neurotypical swimmers, adapting his approach to meet a wider range of learning styles, comfort levels, and individual needs. He quickly discovered that this inclusive, individualized style of teaching was where his passion truly lived.
Those experiences became the foundation of Swimming with Sebastian and Sebastian’s signature trust-first, play-based approach. Rather than forcing every swimmer through the same step-by-step curriculum, Sebastian believes instructors should first understand the child, build trust, and adapt their teaching to the way that individual child learns best.
More than 15 years later, Sebastian’s approach has helped both neurotypical and neurodivergent swimmers develop confidence, independence, water safety skills, and a genuine love of swimming. Today, he continues to refine his methods while building and training a team of instructors who share that same philosophy, proudly serving families throughout Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties.
JAMES O'LEARY | SWIM INSTRUCTOR
Services: Pinellas & Hillsborough
James O’Leary has been around the water for nearly his entire life, beginning swim lessons at just six months old and growing up with a genuine love for swimming and water sports. Over the years, he trained with multiple competitive swim clubs, swam for the Palm Harbor University High School swim team, and developed experience in everything from surfing to sailing.
Before beginning lessons of his own, James spent several months training directly under Sebastian, learning the Swimming With Sebastian teaching philosophy and refining his instructional approach. His style is patient, playful, and centered around building trust, helping each swimmer feel comfortable, confident, and successful in the water.
James loves creating an environment where kids can have fun while developing strong swimming and water safety skills. His goal is to help every student become a more capable swimmer while building lifelong confidence, love, and respect for the water.
Haylee Fernandez has always had a natural heart for working with children. Her calm, patient, and encouraging personality allows her to connect with each swimmer individually, creating an environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.
Her experience with children extends far beyond the pool. Haylee teaches adaptive horseback riding to children and adults with physical, cognitive, emotional, and developmental disabilities, helping her students build confidence, independence, and important life skills. This experience has given her a strong ability to adapt her teaching style to meet each child exactly where they are.
Haylee trained closely under Head Coach Sebastian, developing her swim instruction skills while learning Swimming with Sebastian’s gentle, trust-based approach to water safety. She brings warmth, positivity, and patience to every lesson and is passionate about helping swimmers of all abilities become more confident and independent in the water.
HAYLEE FERNANDEZ | SWIM INSTRUCTOR
Services: Pasco, Hillsborough, & Pinellas
Mark’s connection to the water has been a lifelong one. Born and raised in Upstate New York, he relocated to Florida in 2011, drawn in large part by his love of the water and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors.
An avid saltwater fly fisherman, Mark has spent years immersed in Florida’s waterways. His love for the water, combined with a natural passion for helping others, made joining the Swimming with Sebastian team a perfect fit.
Coming from a family of educators, Mark has always enjoyed teaching, encouraging, and connecting with others. His experience as a Registered Behavior Technician has further strengthened his ability to understand individual needs, adapt the way he teaches, communicate effectively, and create positive learning experiences.
At Swimming with Sebastian, Mark brings a patient, encouraging approach to every lesson. His goal is to help each swimmer feel comfortable and confident in the water while developing skills that lead to greater safety and independence. Most importantly, Mark wants his students to enjoy the process and feel proud of what they accomplish along the way.