Fred von Lewinski started Charlottesville Aquatics in 1973 while obtaining his degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia. With roots in Nova Scotia Canada, Fred had spent every summer from age 5-17 at a camp on the Digby Neck of Nova Scotia. While there, Fred enjoyed mild summers that included swimming in the Bay of Fundy, which maintains a constant water temperature of about 44 degrees F or swimming in the camp pool (that was emptied and filled periodically using water from the Bay). These refreshing summers made a lasting impression on Fred, and once he returned to his home in Northern Virginia, decided to become a lifeguard and managed pools in the Washington, DC area.

During college, Fred originally set out to begin a pool management company in the Charlottesville area. Soon he realized that the Charlottesville market place did not present the same need for a management company as was the case in the DC area. It was then that he decided to utilize his talents in pool maintenance and repair and could be seen transporting large filter tanks in the back seat of his convertible.

Fred graduated from the University in 1976. Upon his graduation, he continued his pool service and repair company until 1979 when he built his first pool. The first pool that he built was the first pool that he had ever saw being built. This pool was built for a University of Virginia professor who decided to give Fred a chance, given his degree in Landscape Architecture and experience gained thus far. Befitting of his future success, this pool also won a design award!

As a natural extension to swimming pools, in 1984 Charlottesville Aquatics became a dealer of Hot Spring Spas after being recognized by one of the founders of Watkins Manufacturing at a swimming pool design awards ceremony. Fred sold the first Hot Spring Spa that was sold in Charlottesville by showing a photo to a customer in a brochure.

Today, Charlottesville Aquatics is nationally renowned as an elite pool builder, part of the Aquatech Society of pool building professionals. Today, we also feature 6 lines of spas manufactured by Watkins Manufacturing, whom we have had a loyal relationship with for over 24 years. Today, some of the same customers are still with us who have been with us since those early years when Fred was in college.

Becoming the owner of a pool or a spa is lifestyle, not just a luxury and we want you to feel completely comfortable as you make your decision. We want to have that kind of relationship with all of our customers.