 |
Sean Baker - Head Coach Sean Baker comes to us from Nanaimo, British Columbia where he was Head Coach of the swim team from 1995 to 2001. He began his coaching career in Kenora and then moved on to Manitoba, followed by Regina where he was Coach and Head Age Group Coach for four years. |
| Junior / Provincial Coach Carmen Escobar Carmen comes to HAC from Mexico where she was an integral part of her club's program working with the International & Age Group swimmers as well as developing their swim school lesson program. During the process of finding a new coach, it was very exciting to see all of the applicants who were wanting to join our team. I had coaches with over 30 years of coaching experience as well as coaches who have developed Olympic Gold Medallists apply for the position. Carmen has an extensive resume that includes coaching at the Olympic Games as well as the World Championships. We are very lucky to have such an accomplished coach compliment our staff. |
 |
 |
Diane Baker - Age Group Coach Diane grew up swimming with the Aquatic Club under Coaches Brian and Sue Bond. She then went on to swim at Western University before completing her degrees in Psychology, Physical Education and then graduating from Teacher's College. Diane now teaches at Highland Secondary School and coaches the school's volleyball & waterpolo teams in addition to her coaching with HAC. Diane was the first coach of the Age Group program and built the group from a meagre 7 swimmers into a group of 30 and growing! |
Gold Coach - Ed Doerkson Ed has been a lifeguard and swimming instructor since 1967, and has made swimming a way of life.In 1979 he was in a motorcycle/car accident which resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. In 1980 he returned to the pool to begin training as a Paralympic swimmer.From 1981 to 1992, he was competing in both disabled and able bodied competitions, achieving a spot on the Ontario Team for disabled athletes during the same time period. In 1984, he attended the Paralympics in Long Island New York where he achieved world ranking. He also won a bronze medal He currently holds NCCP Level II coaching certification and has been coaching for 7 years, first as an assistant with the Barrie Trojans, as an assistant with Norfolk Hammerhead Aquatic Club and this past summer he was head coach of the Kinsmen Waterdragons Swim Club. He has also been a volunteer coach for the Holy Trinity high school team in Simcoe for the past six years. In 1981-1982 he was a member of the Hamilton Aquatic Club, under the coaching eye of Brian Bond, whom he has the greatest and deepest respect for. This year, he is very much enjoying to be the coach of the Gold group and is looking forward to an excellent season. |
 |
 |
Lisa Hodge - Novice (Mountain West) Born and raised in Hamilton, Lisa Hodge represents the traditional HAC swimmer. Plucked from swim lessons at a local recreation centre, Lisa swam from age 11 with HAC coaching alumni John Butler, Nick Rottman, Brian Bond, and Gaye Stratten through her years at Trent University. HAC alumnus, mother of three, and years of experience with school age children has enabled her to take on the role of Novice level coach. In constant pursuit of challenge and development, Lisa is involved in all aspects of HAC club life; coach, parent, official, advocate. Level 2 NCCP trained and certified, she continues to make swimming a top priority; do better, try harder, swim faster. |
Mike Butler - Novice (Mountain East) I am Mike Butler the coach for the Novice Mountain East Division. Many of you may already know me, as my daughter Jenna is a former swimmer of HAC for 6 years and Alexis is currently swimming in the Gold Group. I have previously coached for HAC in the Olympic Way program for 3 years. I had a great time working with all the kids and being able to witness their accomplishments as many had moved up into the Novice group. Since I was a child my passion has been swimming. My goal as a coach and leader is to motivate my team positively through my enthusiasm of the sport while teaching them proper techniques and building endurance. As a child, I was a member of HAC from the age of 9 until 15. I have many great memories of these years: swim meets, coaches, friends and most of all the fun we had. Swimming with HWAC gave me a great advantage as I went on to become a lifeguard part time during my school years then full time until I went into college for Computer Science. During my 10 years as a lifeguard, a large portion of my job required me to teach the Red Cross lessons in the community pools. The favourite part about being a lifeguard that I always loved was my time in the pool instructing the swimmers who ranged from parents with babies up to adults. The most important item is that everyone has FUN and enjoys themselves. |
 |
 |
Alex Despond - Novice (City West) Before I began coaching I was a competitive swimmer for 11 years. I started swimming at a young age and immediately fell in love with the water. Swimming is my life. My world revolves around swimming. Between my brother’s swimming, my sister’s swimming, and my coaching, my family always seem to be at a pool. Last year I coached for the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays before I came to Hamilton. Currently I am a first year student at McMaster University and I am working on my level one coaching. I love kids and I love swimming, and hopefully together we can make it a fun and exciting year. |
| Kahla Walkinshaw - Novice (City South) & Olympic Way |  |
 |
|
| Michael Hall - Olympic Way | Gabriel Guylay - Olympic Way |