Our Coaches

From Victoria, George has been a lifelong swimmer, first joining Orcas in 2008 and competing until 2017. He has also swum with other teams, including school teams, Island Swimming, and the UVic Vikes. Recently, George has competed in masters swimming meets in both B.C. and the U.S. without any club affiliation.

George has been teaching swimming lessons to all ages for ten years and has previously coached with Orcas. He currently coaches recreational masters swimming twice per week.

George is in his final year of an exercise science degree at Camosun and is eager to combine his experiential and academic knowledge in the coaching process. His favorite topics include periodization, programming, and bioenergetics. A strong believer in developing well-rounded athletes, George is equally passionate about swimming, strength training, and rock climbing.

Come say hi to Coach George on the pool deck—he’s always happy to chat about all things swimming or sports!

Born and raised in Delta, British Columbia, Olivia has been involved in BCSSA for the past fourteen years, where she competed and coached in multiple aquatic disciplines. She started swimming competitively for the North Delta Sunfish in 2010, later expanding into artistic swimming with the BC Aquasonics. She currently competes for the University of Victoria Vikes at a National level and is a two-time recipient of the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award, highlighting her involvement with the community. Olivia has over eight years of coaching experience with the Sunfish and is the acting Provincial Coach Representative for the 2024-2025 BCSSA Season.

Olivia is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Victoria, where she studies Environmental Studies, Psychology, and Public Administration. She is excited to help swimmers reach their goals and have fun!

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Drew has been a competitive swimmer for over 12 years, having competed for both the Edmonton Keyano Swim Club and The University of Victoria Vikes at a national level. Through his swimming career, Drew has had the opportunity to compete for both Team Alberta and Team Canada nationally and Internationally.

Currently, Drew is an undergraduate student at the University of Victoria in his fourth year of studying history and film studies. After two summer seasons and a winter season, this will be Drew’s second winter season with the Orcas and he is very excited to continue helping Orcas swimmers achieve their goals and develop a love for the sport.

Johanna swam with the Orcas for 12 years, during which she served as a Volunteer Coach, Junior Coach and is now in her fourth year of coaching with the Orcas. She has been a BCSSA member for 14 years and swam for one year with the University of Victoria Vikes. Throughout Johanna’s swimming career she swam at the regional and provincial levels.

Currently Johanna is in the second year of her Kinesiology degree, and is training for triathlons and long distance races. Johanna is excited to be on the pool deck every day  to work with swimmers of all ages to improve their swim technique, support and motivate swimmers to reach their goals, and have fun in the sport of swimming!

McKechnie has been swimming with the Orcas for 6 years, during which time she medalled at Regionals and swam at the Provincial championships. She started swimming at an older age, but really loved the inclusive environment of the Orcas swim team and knew this was a team she wanted to belong to. 

While this is her first year on the coaching staff, she previously volunteered both as the Oak bay high swim coach and in the Orcas volunteer coaching program. She found she really enjoyed working with younger kids and so is very excited to be coaching the Mini pods.

McKechnie has started her first year at the University of Victoria and will be studying history. 

McKechnie loves seeing swimmers accomplish their personal goals as well as seeing the friendships they foster through swimming. She is really looking forward to the upcoming winter season and working with the Orcas youngest swimmers.

Born in Edmonton Alberta and moved to Okotoks at 9 years old, Alex swam competitively for the past 13 years, with both Edmonton Keyano and the Okotoks Mavericks. Alex competed up to the Canadian Western National level. Alex is currently in his first year at Uvic studying marine biology, however, Alex is no longer swimming competitively and is instead looking into other passions such as scuba diving. This is Alex's first year coaching and he is looking forward to being part of the swimming world in a new capacity, as well as fostering the same love and passion for swimming that he once had as a young athlete.

Claire has been swimming with the orcas for going on 9 years. During her years swimming with the orcas, she’s made so many long-lasting friendships, achieved goals and learned so much. Claire has been coaching for year now, and participated in the volunteer coaching program before that. 

Currently, Claire is in her graduating year at Victoria High School. She’s beyond excited to coach again this year and can’t wait to work with new and returning swimmers. Claire’s favourite part about coaching is seeing the improvement and hard work all of the swimmers put in and the smiles on their faces when they achieve their goals!