JAmes Kwan

Head Coach
james.kwan.22@gmail.com

Swimming Background: 
I swam for the Orcas from the age of 6-18, competing in over over 100 ASSA meets and over 10 Provincial Championships in that time. After taking a year off to pursue badminton, I continued my swimming career at the post-secondary level at Mount Allison University. In my three years of competition, I scored points for my team mainly in freestyle and fly events, was an integral part on all 3 of our relays, and was named captain for the 2017-2018 season.

Favourite Events:
100 and 200 Freestyle (or anytime I get to go head-to-head against coach Josh Adams).

Coaching Background:

• Lethbridge Orcas Assistant Coach (2015)
• Lethbridge Orcas Head Coach (2016, 2017, 2018)
• Summit Swim Camps Assistant Coach (2016, 2017, 2018)
  
  

Favourite Moments From 2017 Season:
Every day was so much fun, but it was the team performance at Regionals and Provincials that were my favourite. Not only did our Master's team win the provincial title (last winning in 2013), but we had numerous medal winners, best times, and provincial records broken! Let's work towards some more this year!

Group/ Team Goals for 2018 Season:
​I would love to see the Master's team defend our provincial title. I would also like to see attendance at all meets (specifically Regionals and Provincials) improve and push for a top 3 finish for our age-grog team (17 and under) at Provincials this year? (We were 4th last year)

KEELEY WATT

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH
wattk9@gmail.com

Swimming Background: I have been swimming with the Orcas since the age of five and continued racing as a summer swimmer until I was 17 years old. During this time, I achieved club, regional, and provincial records and was a five-time member of the ASSA All-star Team. Following the Orcas, I have continued my swim career in varsity athletics at the University of Lethbridge for the past three years. I currently serve as a captain of the Pronghorns Swim Team, and have successfully achieved Canada West qualifying times, U Sport Nationals qualifying times, and broken U of L individual and relay records. 

Favourite Events:
50 Breast and 50 Free!

Coaching Background:
Assistant Coach – Lethbridge Orcas Summer Swim Club (2015, 2016)
Assistant Head Coach –Lethbridge Orcas Summer Swim Club (2017, 2018)
Assistant Coach – Summit Swim Camps (2016, 2017, 2018)

Favourite Moments From 2017 Season:
My favourite moments from every season are always witnessing the tremendous growth my swimmers experience. This can come in the pool through best times, winning medals, and setting records, but also outside the pool when swimmers mature and grow as individuals. I love returning every year and witnessing the development season to season. Another highlight was being a part of the Provincials Champions Master Team, which is a great testament to the development of our Master’s program and coaching team. 

Group/ Team Goals for 2018 Season:
​We have such a huge club this year, and I would love to see those numbers transfer over to meets! Meets have always been the most memorable part of my summer swimming career, and I would love to have as many Minis, Tier II, Tier I, and Masters as possible racing at meets. High numbers result in lots of good things for the club like great meet atmosphere, elevated performance, and successful defense of our Regional and Provincial titles.

Steven maychak

Assistant coach
samaychak@gmail.com

Swimming Background: 
I competed in summer club for 8 years with the Vegreville Pool Sharks and St. Albert Sailfish

Favourite Events:
50 Fly, 100 Fly and any event Coach James isn't in!

Coaching Background:
Brooks Barracudas Assistant Coach (2011)
Brooks Barracudas Head Coach (2012, 2014-2016)
Spartans Aquatic Club Assistant Coach (2017)
Max Bell Mantas Assistant Coach (2017-2018)
Lethbridge Orcas Assistant Coach (2017-2018)

Favourite Moments From 2017 Season:
Prior to coaching with Orcas. I've always coached older swimmers. Coaching the Bronze Group for a full season was memorable. Learning new personalities, building new relationships and seeing their progression throughout the season was rewarding. Seeing the smiles and energy the brought everyday made it easier to coach.  Also getting the chance to see the progression of the younger and older Orcas. Watching them achieve personal bests, win medals and have some record breaking swims. It was fun to be a part of. 

Group/ Team Goals for 2018 Season:
Group goals: Try to connect with the swimmers, get to know them and understand how they learn. Help them understand the science behind swimming. Keep the practices challenging and fun. 
 
Team goals: Work with other coaches and help other swimmers outside my groups when needed. Try to build on last season's results and keep progressing as individuals and as a team. 

JOsh Adams

Assistant coach
adamsml10888@gmail.com

Swimming Background: 
I have competed in swimming since the age of 10 and I currently swim for University of Regina.

Favourite Events:
50 free, 100 free, or any event against coach James!

Coaching Background:
2017 Lethbridge Orcas Mini Orcas Coach
NCCP Community Coaching Certification

Favourite Moments From 2017 Season:
Watching our relay teams set a provincial record at provincials

Group/ Team Goals for 2018 Season:
​Have 3 provincial records broken this year.
​Have 100% of the bronze group at regionals

cAILEIGH SHEPPARD

Assistant coach
caileigh.sheppard@uleth.ca

Swimming Background: I have been a swimmer with the Lethbridge Orcas for 14 years, having only taken a season away from the team during the 2016 season.  In addition to swimming with the Orcas, I enhanced my swimming knowledge and background by becoming both a Red Cross and Lifesaving Society certified swim instructor and National Lifeguard Instructor. 

Favorite Stroke/Events: 1500 free, 800 free and 400 free 

Coaching Background: I began my coaching career back in 2015 with the Lethbridge Orcas. I then went on to coach with the Spartans Aquatic Club for both the 2016 and 2017 seasons. I am thrilled to be back for the Orcas for this 2018 swim season! 

Favorite Moments from the 2017 Season: 
My favourite moment from the 2017 swim season was claiming the Masters title at provincials! 
​
Group/Team Goals for the 2018 Season:
My 2018 season goal is to have every swimmer participate in at least one swim meet this year! 

taylor dixon

Assistant coach
taylor.dixon@live.ca 

Swimming Background:
​I swam competitively for almost ten years with LASC. Although I no longer swim competitively, I always find my way back to the pool. Whether that be with lifeguarding, coaching, or training for triathlons. 
 
Favourite Events:
1500m Free, 400 IM, 200 IM, 200 Back
 
Coaching Background:
While I was a lifeguard at the YMCA for three years, I taught swim lessons and coached both their triathlon club and swim club. Presently, I am coaching my third year with the Lethbridge Spartans Aquatics Club. I have also been a volunteer swim coach with the Lethbridge Special Olympics for eight years now! This, however, is my first year with the Lethbridge Orcas. 

Group/Team Goals for 2018 Season:
Coaching the Minis, I hope that we can not only provide them with the proper building blocks and techniques for the four strokes (with primary focus on freestyle and backstroke) but also build their comfort and endurance in the water. I’m also hoping that everyone has a lot fun this season, and that the Minis will want to continue on with their swim careers