Aquatic Program Director

Shelly Kochorek
Shelly is the aquatic program director for the Columbia Valley Otters. She brings to the club many years of experience planning and executing programming for aquatic environments. She overseas scheduling, registration and leadership course planning. Shelly is an active Red Cross and Lifesaving Society Instructor trainer. She also holds a degree in Education, specializing in physical and outdoor education.
Shelly is the aquatic program director for the Columbia Valley Otters. She brings to the club many years of experience planning and executing programming for aquatic environments. She overseas scheduling, registration and leadership course planning. Shelly is an active Red Cross and Lifesaving Society Instructor trainer. She also holds a degree in Education, specializing in physical and outdoor education.
Head Coach

Karen Fahrni
Coach Karen is head coach of the Otters and is an NCCP level 2 certified coach. She began her competitive swim career in Radium Hot Springs with the former Radium Silver Fins. As a teenager, Karen moved to Calgary to swim at the national level. Karen competed on select teams that travelled across Canada and into the USA. As a dual Swiss-Canadian citizen Coach Karen also competed internationally at Swiss Nationals. After swimming with the University of Calgary Dinos, Karen retired from swimming. She continued on in the sport by coaching the University of Calgary Swim Club during the school year and volunteering with the former Radium Silver Fins. She spent four years running and teaching the Red Cross swim lesson program for the swim club out of the Radium pools. When not coaching, Karen is treating patients in her Chiropractic Clinic or working with the Columbia Valley Rockies Hockey club as their team trainer.
Coach Karen is head coach of the Otters and is an NCCP level 2 certified coach. She began her competitive swim career in Radium Hot Springs with the former Radium Silver Fins. As a teenager, Karen moved to Calgary to swim at the national level. Karen competed on select teams that travelled across Canada and into the USA. As a dual Swiss-Canadian citizen Coach Karen also competed internationally at Swiss Nationals. After swimming with the University of Calgary Dinos, Karen retired from swimming. She continued on in the sport by coaching the University of Calgary Swim Club during the school year and volunteering with the former Radium Silver Fins. She spent four years running and teaching the Red Cross swim lesson program for the swim club out of the Radium pools. When not coaching, Karen is treating patients in her Chiropractic Clinic or working with the Columbia Valley Rockies Hockey club as their team trainer.
Summer Lesson Coordinator

Olivia Fitzsimmons
Olivia is a certified Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard. She also has her Preschool Proficiency Certifications as well as her NCCP Level 1 Gymnastics certification. She spent 8 years as a competitive swimmer with the Otters at Radium Hot Springs and was one of the lucky swimmers to go on the first club training camp trip to Maui Hawaii. Olivia is excited to be back teaching lessons for her third season this summer.
Olivia is a certified Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard. She also has her Preschool Proficiency Certifications as well as her NCCP Level 1 Gymnastics certification. She spent 8 years as a competitive swimmer with the Otters at Radium Hot Springs and was one of the lucky swimmers to go on the first club training camp trip to Maui Hawaii. Olivia is excited to be back teaching lessons for her third season this summer.
Swim Lesson Instructor
Taylor Lightfoot
Taylor has been involved with the Otters since 2011 as a swimmer and a coach. She has experience swimming at the provincial level as well as being a former BC Summer Games Athlete. Taylor is a seasoned swim instructor and is excited to be back teaching lessons this summer. When not at the pool Taylor is spending time with her family and friends. |
Summer Lesson Instructor
Swim Lesson Instructor

Kendyl Kruger
Leadership Trainer

Carson Tomalty
Carson is a teacher in the Columbia Valley. Carson joined the Columbia Valley Otters Swim Club as a swimmer and swam all through college in Kingston, Ontario. Carson is certified NCCP Level 1 Swim Coach as well as a Lifesaving Instructor and Red Cross Lesson Instructor. Coach Carson is always looking to improve his teaching skills as well as his own swimming strokes.
Carson is a teacher in the Columbia Valley. Carson joined the Columbia Valley Otters Swim Club as a swimmer and swam all through college in Kingston, Ontario. Carson is certified NCCP Level 1 Swim Coach as well as a Lifesaving Instructor and Red Cross Lesson Instructor. Coach Carson is always looking to improve his teaching skills as well as his own swimming strokes.
Leadership Trainer

Rachel Kanan
Rachel is an NCCP level 1 Swim and Ski Coach, Lifesaving Instructor and Lifeguard who recently graduated from Queen's University. Rachel is also an alumni of our swim club program. When not at the pool Rachel enjoys the mountains by skiing biking and hiking.
Rachel is an NCCP level 1 Swim and Ski Coach, Lifesaving Instructor and Lifeguard who recently graduated from Queen's University. Rachel is also an alumni of our swim club program. When not at the pool Rachel enjoys the mountains by skiing biking and hiking.
Leadership Trainer

Grace Fitzsimmons
Grace has spent many years swimming with the swim club in Radium. Grace is an NCCP Level 1 Swim Coach, certified Lifesaving Instructor and Swim Lesson Instructor. When not at the pool Grace is lifeguarding or spending her time in the mountains.
Grace has spent many years swimming with the swim club in Radium. Grace is an NCCP Level 1 Swim Coach, certified Lifesaving Instructor and Swim Lesson Instructor. When not at the pool Grace is lifeguarding or spending her time in the mountains.