Coaches
2026/2027 Coaching Staff
Carly Ayres (She/Her) - Head Coach & Team Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? My coaches had a huge influence on me growing up and were like my second mom. I looked up to their confidence, strong leadership and how they looked out for swimmers both as an athlete and as a person.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? I would love to be a mermaid! I have always loved dolphins and ocean animals and dreamed as a kid of living in the ocean.
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? One of my favorite places I’ve travelled to was Arcachon, France. It had huge soft sandy beaches and was the perfect beach town.
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? I have a dog named Ally.
Do you like to gel your hair? No
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Outside of coaching I am a mom to my two amazing girls who are 3 and 6 this year. I also continue to swim myself as a competitive masters swimmer!
What's your favourite artswim skill? My favorite routine skill is a ballet leg rolling series, if I’ve ever coached your solo there was probably a variation in there, haha. My favorite skill to coach is figures, specifically front pike pull downs and walkouts.
What's your Starbucks order? I like to switch it up! My staples are an oat milk chai on a cold day and an iced green tea lemonade for something refreshing.
Liz Scott (She/Her) - Club Manager & Team Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? They taught me that working hard can be fun!
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid. I love flipping and spinning underwater, and it is the closest to an artistic swimmer!
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Iceland or Greece
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? A rescue Chiweenie Terrier named Malibu (or BuBu!)
Do you like to gel your hair? LOVE IT!
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Kinesiologist/Physio Assistant and F45 coach!
What's your favourite artswim skill? Barracuda and spins!
What's your Starbucks order? Oatmilk London Fog
Naomi Grenke (She/Her) - Team Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? I always admired the dedication my coaches showed.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? I really enjoyed traveling to Spain. I'm a big history nerd so I like to visit all the museums and art galleries.
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? I have a pet tortoise who's name is Joey.
Do you like to gel your hair? I never really liked to gel my hair but I must admit that having perfect shiny gel makes you feel accomplished.
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? I work for City Arts setting up programs, classes and camps. I also like to read and cross-stitch.
What's your favourite artswim skill? Vertical positions and porpoise lifts.
What's your Starbucks order? Iced blonde vanilla latte, but I like to try their seasonal drinks.
Paige S (They/Them) - L2AS - North Team Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Balanced in being tough and being encouraging.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Fairy, because they are little and small.
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Emerald lake, near Banff.
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? Dog named Pippin, cat named Cherry.
Do you like to gel your hair? No
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? School
What's your favourite artswim skill? Barracuda and wraps
What's your Starbucks order? Strawberry Lemonade
Bailey Fawcett (She/Her) - Team Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? They are patient, empathetic.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Fairy
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Italy or Rwanda
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? Dog named Ruby & cat named camp.
Do you like to gel your hair? LOVES DOING IT!
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Triathlons, studies education at U of A
What's your favourite artswim skill? Spins
What's your Starbucks order? Banana bread latte
Meghan Hughes (She/Her) - Team Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Someone who can lay down the law while also staying fun and keeping it serious when it’s needed.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Water Fairy
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Florence, Italy
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? 2 cats, Kuzco and Lola, and a dog, Charles.
Do you like to gel your hair? Yes, everytime.
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? School and work
What's your favourite artswim skill? Swirly switches
What's your Starbucks order? Iced brown sugar shaken espresso
Josie Bardas (She/Her) - Team Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Someone who is regulated and organized but also patient.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid 🧜???
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Disney world
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? A cat named Harvey.
Do you like to gel your hair? Yes, but only in the morning.
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? School
What's your favourite artswim skill? Body Boosts
What's your Starbucks order? Anything with blonde espresso.
Katja Lemke (She/Her) - Team Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Making practice and the environment so fun it didn’t feel like I was training.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid, because I love sea animals and breathe underwater.
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Hawaii
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? Golden Retriever
Do you like to gel your hair? No
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? I got to MacEwan University and I am studying Social Work.
What's your favourite artswim skill? Barracuda
What's your Starbucks order? Iced Caramel Macchiato
Olena Cherniak - Team Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? My mom is a coach, so she inspired me to be a coach.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Egypt
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? Cat - Umca
Do you like to gel your hair? No
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Ukrainian Dance, Basketball, and Swimming
What's your favourite artswim skill? Loves everything, arm sections.
What's your Starbucks order? Depends on the season, but right now Iced Pumpkin Chai Latte
Keira Chester (She/Her) - Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Their creativity and leadership.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Spain
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? I have two dogs named Artemis and Delilah.
Do you like to gel your hair? No
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? I’m in grade 12.
What's your favourite artswim skill? Barracuda
What's your Starbucks order? Hot chocolate
Gabby Rota (She/Her) - AquaGO Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Kindness & positivity
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Tobago
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? Fish without names. I also would want a cat.
Do you like to gel your hair? Yes, it is satisfying.
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Teaches swimming lessons, aquafit, also a lifeguard, works at a restaurant and swims.
What's your favourite artswim skill? Twirling.
What's your Starbucks order? Iced pumpkin chai.
Isabel Henderson (She/Her) - AquaGO Coach
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Obviously a mermaid
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Costa Rica!
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? I have 2 dogs, Ruby and Olive. And 2 cats, Tibby and Scooter
Do you like to gel your hair? Yes!
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? I’m a full time student studying political science at the U of A. I also coach competitively at another artistic swimming club.
Cordelia Vretenar (She/Her) - AquaGO Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Being kind and patient, while pushing me to do my best.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Fairy.
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Croatia.
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? I have 2 cats (Duchess+Marble), and 2 dogs (Courage+Maggy)
Do you like to gel your hair? No way!
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Singing, working out & piano.
What's your favourite artswim skill? Anything with a lot of spinning.
What's your Starbucks order? Venti strawberry açai lemonade with light ice and extra strawberry.
Sadie Dagenais (She/Her) - AquaGO Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? kindness
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? A fairy so that I can fly around to different places and get to places much faster that I can now!
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? I go to Mexico every year and I love going to the beach, going surfing and hanging out with my family :)
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? I do not have a pet but I really want a miniature schnauzer when I get older and lots of cats.
Do you like to gel your hair? No I do not because I don’t like the smell but it does make my hair soft the day after.
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? I also do a lot of babysitting and I’m currently in grade 12 so I’m working hard at getting all my courses done to graduate!
What's your favourite artswim skill? I love doing ariana rotations and I've alway loved barracudas as well.
What's your Starbucks order? I love the pumpkin cream chia, and if it is in season, an iced oat shaken espresso.
Chauston Whenham (She/Her) - AquaGO Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? I admire how my coach always found positivity in anything and always made everyone feel included.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Fairy
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? LA
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? I have 2 dogs named Cyrus and Bella.
Do you like to gel your hair? I personally don't enjoying the gelling experience but I love doing it with my teammates and making memories during it.
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Outside of coaching I'm always finding time to hangout with my friends or help tutor french at my school.
What's your favourite artswim skill? Marlin
What's your Starbucks order? Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade
Ace Linke (They/Them) - AquaGO Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Creativity and new ideas.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Fairy
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? B.C
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? Bunny named mable, cat princess pancakes, dog bentley.
Do you like to gel your hair? Yes
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Getting into U.B.C
What's your favourite artswim skill? Fishtail
Pemberley W (She/Her) - AquaGO Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Coaches who are caring and putting the effort to make sure I'm cared for.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Fairy
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Hawaii
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? Dog named Ada
Do you like to gel your hair? No
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Currently studying to get into university
What's your favourite artswim skill? Barricuda
What's your Starbucks order? Iced chai
Noelle (She/Her) - AquaGO Coach
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Mexico
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? Ace, shine, Casper.
Do you like to gel your hair? No
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching?
What's your favourite artswim skill? Presentation in arms and barracudas.
Mya (She/Her) - AquaGO Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Being enthusiastic and encouraging
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Germany
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? I have two dogs and there names are Petal and Gorgie.
Do you like to gel your hair? I don’t mind Gelling but I don’t like leaving it in.
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? I swim and go to school.
What's your favourite artswim skill? Fishtale into Knights as well as barracudas.
What's your Starbucks order? Dragon fruit refresher or a pumpkin chai.
Nia (She/Her) - AquaGO Coach
What qualities in your favourite coach inspired you to become one? Ability to create community.
Would you rather be a mermaid or a fairy? Mermaid
What is your favourite place you’ve traveled? Greece
Do you have any pets? If you do, what is/are the name(s)? If not, what pet would you want? A dog named Leo.
Do you like to gel your hair? Yes, I like how warm it is, it’s funny. Although it’s hard to get out.
What do you do for work/study/do outside of coaching? Goes to school, does nails, and the gym.
What's your favourite artswim skill? I love barracudas.
What's your Starbucks order? Iced caramel macchiato.
McKinley Deering (She/Her) - Sub Coach
Years of coaching experience & favourite coaching memory: Three years coaching experience. One of my favourite memories coaching was when I got to go to Red Deer with my rec team and see them show off their routine and skills to other swimmers. And to be able to see how far they have come in their skills and the fun that we were having.
Favourite Artistic Swimming Routine: Russia's Archangel routine from Rio 2016
When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be ___________ when I grew up: A mermaid!
What's the most inspiring part of your job? It always inspires me seeing the kids grow in theirs skills and strengths, but also as humans!
What is a sport or hobby you enjoy away from the pool? I love hiking in the mountains and being outside!
Do you speak another language other than English? Spanish
Meg Hipkin (She/Her) - Sub Coach
Years of coaching experience & favourite coaching memory: 17 years. It’s hard to choose- I love witnessing the growth of my athletes over a season, both as athletes and people.
Favourite Artistic Swimming Routine: Spain’s original Led Zeppelin routine.
When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be ___________ when I grew up. A Marine Biologist
What's the most inspiring part of your job? Getting to be a mentor for amazing human beings and seeing them step into their own over a season or a few seasons.
What is a sport or hobby you enjoy away from the pool? Biking, yoga, pole dancing.
Annaleise Walker (She/Her) - Sub Coach
Years of coaching experience & favourite coaching memory: 9 years of coaching. Watching how proud and excited athletes get after finally achieving a skill they have been working really hard on.
Favourite Artistic Swimming Routine: Team USA “The Sorceresses” 2024 Olympic Acro Routine
When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be __________ when I grew up. A Teacher.
What's the most inspiring part of your job? Seeing how much kindness and positivity the athletes bring into the world.
What is a sport or hobby you enjoy away from the pool? Weight lifting and traveling :)
Aubrey Kjeld (She/Her) - Sub Coach
Years of coaching experience & favourite coaching memory: This is my first year coaching but I loved doing acro’s with my coach Paige last year.
Favourite Artistic Swimming Routine: This routine, especially at 1:45
When I was 5, I was pretty sure I’d be __________ when I grew up. A Librarian.
What's the most inspiring part of your job? I love watching kids fall in love with the sport.
What is a sport or hobby you enjoy away from the pool? Cooking and reading.
Do you speak another language other than English? No but I am trying to learn sign.
