Tom Shackel - Head Coach

Coach@Riptides.ca     

Tom has experience coaching all levels of Riptides swimmers from learn-to-swim to novice and up to national level competitors. Before coming to the Bow Valley, he was a swim coordinator for a swim school in the UK and has been teaching and coaching since he was 16, when he transitioned out of competitive swimming and into teaching.

• NCCP Senior Coach – In Training
• NCCP certified Advanced Age Group Coach
• NCCP certified Fundamentals Coach
• Selected to and completed 2017 Swim Alberta Futures Coaches Program
• Selected as a coach for the 2018 Alberta Summer Games

This will be Coach Tom’s 10th year with the Riptides. Tom tries to bring a unique approach to the club as a whole valuing all the athletes through all the programs. Tom insists on taking a teaching approach while on deck and thinks young swimmers should be taught the ‘how/what/when/where/why’ of all the strokes & skills. By doing this, they’ll develop good habits that will translate to success in their long-term development and journey as a competitive swimmer.

Alex Pasemko - Assistant Head Coach & Swim School Co-ordinator

​​​​​​​Alex@Riptides.ca

Born and raised in Canmore, Alex was a national level swimmer with the Riptides and many of her records remain in broken. Her focus has shifted to helping others pursue excellence in sport and education. She has found her niche working with all athletes but those especially in the 12 and underage category. You may also see her working with our next generation of swimmers in our Swim School program. Alex holds an Exercise Science Diploma from Lethbridge College and a Business Marketing Diploma from SAIT. She has over ten years experience coaching swimming and volleyball.

• NCCP certified Advanced Age Group Coach
• NCCP certified Fundamentals Coach
• Selected to and completed 2019 Swim Alberta Future Coaches Program

Kim Kabesh - Assistant Coach

Kim@Riptides.ca

Kim has lived in Canmore since 2011 and started teaching and lifeguarding at the Rec centre and continues to teach and guard at elevation place. She swam competitively for the SilverTide swim club and was ranked nationally and internationally for 200 fly. Kim attended the University of Nevada on a swimming scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of science degree in Health Ecology. Her knowledge and experience from teaching lessons, training instructors, and being involved in the sport for over 14 years gives her a unique perspective and a new excitement for coaching. 

• NCCP certified Fundamentals Coach
• NCCP certified Swim Instructor
• Lifesaving society instructor/swim instructor
• Swam competitively for 14 years and attended University of Nevada on swim scholarship.
• Teaching swimming lessons since 2010

Josh Gray- Assistant Coach

Josh@Riptides.ca 

Josh swam competitively for 14 years in England, competing up to national level. Still passionate about swimming, Josh now prefers to channel and direct his love for the sport to the next generation of swimmers. Josh moved to Canmore in 2022 after 5 years of being an elementary school teacher in England and is excited to continue his teaching journey in Canada. Having graduated from the University of Bedfordshire with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science, Josh then continued his education by completing a PGCE in Primary Education with a specialism in Physical Education. In addition to this, he also has over 6 years of lifeguard experience.

• NCCP certified Fundamentals Coach

Olivia Martland - Swim School Coach

Born and raised in Canmore, Olivia has always had a deep passion for swimming and being in the water. This love for the sport fuels her coaching, where she strives to create a supportive and welcoming environment for swimmers of all levels.Currently in Grade 12, Olivia plans to pursue a degree in social sciences at university next year. She has been coaching the Swim School 1 category for nearly two years and finds great joy in working with children, helping them build confidence and skills in the wate

• NCCP certified Fundamentals Coach

Sarah Armstrong - Swim School Coach

Sarah grew up in Canmore, and has always enjoyed swimming. Currently in grade 11 at OLS, hoping to go to university to study Sciences! Sarah participated in swim lessons with Riptides from a young age and joined the teen fit program for many years before becoming a coach. This is Sarah’s second year working as a coach, and her first year working as a coach independently as a certified Fundamnetals Coach. Her favourite part about the swim club is watching the kids improve and make friends.

• NCCP Fundamentals Coach

Nina LaCock- Swim School Coach

Nina has been swimming competitively since I was 4 and joined the Riptides when she was 11. As of 2 years ago, Has been swimming with Teen Fit, another club program. Through the club, Nina started coaching Swim School 1, first as an assistant and now as a certified Fundamentals coach. "Because of this opportunity, my passion for working with young swimmers has only grown. The club provides great support for the swimmers and the coaches, and I am proud to be part of the Riptides!"

• NCCP Fundamentals Coach

  Kariel Siemens - Swim School Coach

• NCCP Fundamentals Coach