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
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. Rachel is thrilled to be returning as our summer lesson coordinator. 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. Rachel is thrilled to be returning as our summer lesson coordinator. When not at the pool Rachel enjoys the mountains by skiing biking and hiking.
Summer Lesson Instructor
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 8years 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 lesson at the pool 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 8years 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 lesson at the pool this summer.
Swim Lesson Instructor
Shana Walsh
Shana is an alumni of the club program and has been a lifeguard and swim instructor since 2017. She also works as an early childhood education assistant and loves working with kids! She is looking forward to teaching summer swim lessons.
Shana is an alumni of the club program and has been a lifeguard and swim instructor since 2017. She also works as an early childhood education assistant and loves working with kids! She is looking forward to teaching summer swim lessons.
Swim Lesson Instructor
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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 with the club this summer. When not at the pool Taylor is spending time with her family and friends. |
Summer Lesson Instructor
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Meghara Walsh
Meghara is an alumni of the swim club program. She swam and competed for several years prior to her focus on her dance training. Meghara has recently completed her Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and is excited to teach lessons this summer. |
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
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.
