Head Coach

Email: head.coach@chenaswimclub.ca

Coach Roger brings over a decade of coaching experience and a proven record of developing athletes from grassroots to national level and beyond. Before joining Chena, Roger spent eight years coaching in Alberta, most recently working at the varsity and national level with the University of Alberta Golden Bears & Pandas and the Edmonton Keyano Swim Club. Prior to that, he was the Senior Lead Coach for six years with the Calgary Patriots, ran grassroots development programming in Ottawa with GO Kingfish, and spent years coaching masters and summer swimming alongside his club roles, driven largely by his love for the sport.

Roger has had the privilege of coaching and working with numerous national and U SPORTS medalists, provincial and national record holders, as well as Olympians and Paralympic medalists. In 2022, he was

appointed to Team Alberta’s coaching staff for the 2022 Canada Games.

As a former varsity swimmer and lifelong athlete, Roger combines a deep technical understanding of the sport with a practical, athlete-centered approach. He is committed to developing resilient, well-rounded athletes who thrive both in and out of the pool. He values collaboration with coaches, parents, and staff to ensure each swimmer has the resources, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed, and believes that great athletes make great swimmers, and that the most successful swimmers are those who grow into well-rounded athletes and people.

When not on deck, Roger can often be found swimming for fun, running, climbing, or cycling and is ecstatic to be living in the Lonsdale area and is embracing the north shore lifestyle!

Roger is thrilled to have the opportunity to help lead Chena into a new era and is eager to work with all our athletes, coaches, parents, and volunteers!

Senior Coach

Email: nolan@chenaswimclub.ca

Coach Nolan joined Chena to begin his swimming career in 2008. He swam with Chena for 10 years and began coaching with Chena Skills in 2014. Over the next 4 years he developed his coaching and teaching skills with the Chena Skills program as well as teaching swim lessons and lifesaving courses with North Vancouver Rec. Nolan's last coaching with Chena was as a Skills coach and an assistant coach to Junior Blue and Junior Green in the 2017-2018 season. After his time with Chena, Nolan attended Western University where he studied computer science. While at Western, Nolan continued his swimming career as a Western Mustang for 5 years earning recognition from the coaches and teammates as a standout member of the team. He was awarded Rookie of the Year in his inaugural season and eventually earned the role of team captain in his final year at Western. He retired from competition in April of 2023 and is excited to return to coaching with his first club, Chena.

Senior Development Coach

Email: kris@chenaswimclub.ca

Coach Kris loves to coach and has coached for many years, at all levels, from beginning to swim, to Olympic and world qualifiers. He coached triathlon as his main job, but grew up as a swimmer and swim coach. He loves the opportunity offered by Chena to coach the Senior Development group. A dad of three, one of whom graduated from Chena, he understands the love and fatigue that comes with having children.

Assistant Junior Coach

Email: gus@chenaswimclub.ca

Coach Gus is going to be back for another awesome year with Chena! He started swimming for Vernon Kokanee Swim Club in grade six, but in grade eight, moved back to North Vancouver to swim with Chena until grade twelve. This is Gus' second year as an assistant junior coach and is excited to return! He is now studying engineering at Simon Fraser University and is a second year student.

Coach Gus wants to be able to help develop and improve all the swimmers' drive to become better whether as a person or in competition. No matter the results from the pool, being in a healthy environment is what Gus loves and he will support the swimmers in the best way possible. Since this is a competitive swim club Coach Gus will give it his all to train up the junior swimmers to be ready to transition into tougher and harder competitions to come.

Assistant Head Coach

Email: emmy@chenaswimclub.ca

Coach Emmy is excited to return to Chena for a 5th season and lead the Youth Green and Senior Provincial groups! Emmy grew up in Kelowna in a family full of swimmers. Both of her parents were swim coaches (a long time ago) who started her in swim club at age 4. Breaststroke was her best (and favorite) stroke and she was a provincial level swimmer for the majority of her time competing in the sport. She eventually achieved her national qualifying time which she considers to be one of her highlights, along with discovering her passion for coaching. She has now been involved in the sport for almost 25 years as a swimmer and coach. Over the last 12 years, she has coached swimmer’s of all ages (babies to age 84!) and has been the Head Coach of two summer clubs (Richmond Kigoos: 2015-2020 and Kelowna Ogopogo: 2013-2014.)

Coach Emmy is currently working on her Level 2 Coaching Certification and holds a degree in psychology from UBC. Emmy is passionate about creating a fun and positive training environment where swimmer’s support each other, develop confidence in their abilities, and love swimming. She believes in teaching the importance of good technique to help swimmers understand the “why” behind what they are doing to build well-rounded, purposeful swimmers. She thinks that swimmers thrive when they feel supported by their coaches and believes in using positive feedback and encouragement to support each swimmer on their journey to their goals.

Lead Junior Coach

Email: mauricio@chenaswimclub.ca

Coach Mauricio is starting his 2nd year with Chena as Lead Junior Coach, and he brings a wealth of experience to the role. He learned to swim at the age of 3 and has been passionate about the sport, never leaving the pool since. He was a National and International Champion in the youth categories. In 2006, he moved to Australia to train with World Record Holder Grant Hackett, aiming for the 2008 Olympics. Upon returning to Brazil, he chose to live in Belo Horizonte to train alongside Brazilian Olympic medalist Thiago Pereira. He placed 4th in the Beijing Olympic Trials, and in 2009, he came in 3rd in the 400 medley event at the World Swimming Cup.

In 2010, he decided to dedicate himself to studying civil engineering and physical education. He spent 8 years in college, and after graduating, He was hired to work at his hometown club, the same club where he swam for more than 20 years and which gave him an international perspective. He took charge of the youth categories and the master's group at the club. Over the last 8 years, as a coach, he created a successful program that helped all 18 athletes in his group achieve national standard times, with several becoming national champions.

Mauricio is excited to bring his expertise and experience to the Chena swimmers and looks forward to contributing to their growth and success.

Youth White and Cross Training Coach

Email: caroline@chenaswimclub.ca

Coach Caroline started coaching with Chena as a Skills coach all the way back in Grade 10. This will be her 8^th year coaching with Chena, and 3^rd year with her own groups. She is experienced in the world of swimming; she swam with Chena for almost 10 years before she started coaching. Coach Caroline also spent the summer of 2022 Coaching for the North Shore Winter Club Marlins, and even competed herself! She was able to make it to Provincials with her swimmers and fellow Marlin’s coaches.

Coach Caroline just graduated with an Associate Certificate in Video Production and Editing and a Diploma in Television and Video Production, both with distinction from BCIT. Coach Caroline has worked with swimmers in Chena from Bronze to Youth White. Giving her a wide range of experience with different levels and ages. Coach Caroline wants all her swimmers to improve, gain new skills, meet new friends, and most of all have fun! She is determined to help all her swimmers succeed in their goals and fall in love with the sport of swimming. She can’t wait to see the swimmers and parents on deck this year!