Join us in making waves
ABOUT THE ACADEMY
OUR MISSION
AquaNova is a Swiss-based organisation that promotes social change through swimming as a tool for character building and an alternative to screen addiction in youth.
Through our disruptive pool concept, we are developing accessible, high-performance swim facilities.
We aim to produce at least one Olympian or Para-Olympian in the next ten years. At AquaNova, every stroke drives positive change in individuals and communities.
AQUANOVA IS
RADICAL INCLUSION
Hope in the water
We break down barriers in the world of swimming by creating an inclusive environment where all athletes, regardless of background or ability, can pursue their dreams, while offering academic support for those balancing school and sports.
AGILITY
New meaning for old spaces
We aim to revolutionize the way swimming facilities are built and accessed, offering mobile, modular solutions that can quickly transform underused industrial spaces into a swim hubs.
CHARACTER OVER CONVENIENCE
Empowerment through challenge
We aim to cultivate athletes who not only excel in the pool but also develop resilience, leadership, and character, fostering a sense of discipline and integrity that lasts far beyond sport.
EFFICIENT EXCELLENCE
Doing what matters
Our goal is to redefine swimming by focusing on financial and operational converance, smarter training, using sports science and data to optimize results without excess. We seek precision, sustainability, and long-term growth.
WHY JOIN US?
PRE-LAUNCH: 2025-26 SEASON
We’re a visionary swim institute, redefining what swimming means for the next generation in Geneva and beyond.
PERFORMANCE & RESILIENCE
Advanced physiology, mental training, and structured commitment at every age and level.
ACADEMICS & BALANCE
Dedicated support to help Geneva’s young swimmers thrive in and out of the pool.
FUN
A fun, inclusive environment with consistent mini wins that build confidence and keep every swimmer engaged.
THE TEAM
LEADERSHIP TEAM
We have assembled a passionate and dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise to our mission.
Leticia Martignon - Director
Leticia is the founder of AquaNova, bringing over 20 years of experience in commercial strategy, entrepreneurship, sales, and branding. She's Senior Operations Manager at RTP Academy and Swim & Move, a German sports group of Olympic swimmer management and swim schools in Germany.
With a strong background in leadership, technology and sports management, Leticia combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for societal impact, performance optimization and holistic athlete development.
As a mother of three competitive swimmers, Leticia is deeply committed to creating a sustainable sports environment that empowers athletes and fosters personal growth.
Umberto Capasso - Athletic director
Umberto has over 40 years of experience, starting his career as an athlete before becoming head coach of several teams in Italy. He has received numerous calls to the Italian youth and senior national teams and has coordinated and managed coaches and swimmers at both national and international levels.
Currently, he is the technical director of a leading swimming institution in Italy, overseeing the development of over 120 elite swimmers.
A graduate in sports sciences with a specialisation in training methodology, Umberto combines a deep knowledge of sports science with practical understanding of high-level coaching. He is currently consulting for several Italian and international swim clubs, ensuring that their athletes benefit from world-class training and development.
WHY HELP FUND US
Let's create a legacy of athletic and social leadership.
1. WE SOLVE A PUBLIC NEED
In Geneva, hundreds of children are left on waiting lists every year due to lane shortages, rising pool rental costs, and a lack of structured high-frequency programs. At the same time, screen addiction and mental health issues among youth are on the rise.
AquaNova offers a bold, scalable solution: a structured, inclusive swim institute that combines performance, academic support, and mental resilience. Your funding helps us give every child—not just the privileged few—access to the water, and to a future built on health, discipline, and self-belief.
2. WE UNLOCK UNTAPPED POTENTIAL
Elite programs too often serve only the top 1% of those who manage to capture busy coaches' attention because they already perform with ease. AquaNova is different. We believe greatness can be nurtured in many more children—with the right environment, consistency, and mentorship.
With your support, we provide scholarships, academic tutoring, and holistic coaching to swimmers from all backgrounds—including underserved communities and special needs families.
You’re not just funding a swim lane—you’re fueling confidence, opportunity, and long-term growth for a new generation of leaders.
3. WE'RE BUILDING THE MODEL OF THE FUTURE
AquaNova is more than a club—it’s a prototype for what 21st-century youth sports can and should be: high-quality, inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven.
Our vision scales beyond Geneva, with potential to inspire systemic change in how youth sports—even beyond swimming—are structured and funded.
By supporting us now, you become a founding partner in a movement that will define the future of swimming and character development in Switzerland and elsewhere.
GET IN TOUCH
Contact us!
Reach out to us for inquiries, feedback, or to learn more about our swim academy.
