Coaches

Samantha Garside

Samantha first joined the PTBO swim club at age 8 to develop skills for triathlons, but quickly grew to love the sport. She swam for 8 years and reached the provincial level in butterfly events. 

Samantha’s favourite memories as a swimmer were travelling to regionals together as a team. She loved connecting with teammates and watching everyone have fun while swimming.

Samantha is currently in her third year at Trent completing a psychology degree. With her passion for swimming, she is excited to see swimmers grow in the sport, build new skills, and have fun.

Mackenzie Garside

Mackenzie has been a part of the PTBO Swim Club since the age of 8, where she competed from ages 8-17 and has now come back as a coach. During her time with the club, Mackenzie competed at the provincial level and won gold in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke. In 2018, she qualified for and attended Junior Nationals in Calgary, competing in the 100 and 200m breaststroke. 

With a lifelong passion for swimming and a love for teaching, she is excited to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport with younger generations while helping swimmers build confidence and develop their skills. 

Mackenzie also recently graduated from Trent University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and is now in her first semester of the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program at Fleming College.

Carly Gomes

Carly Gomes is a new addition to the Peterborough Swim Club coaching staff. She swam competitively with the Northumberland Aquatic Club (NORAC) for 13 years, reaching provincial-level standards. Carly also coached with NORAC for three years as an assistant coach, primarily working with younger competitive swimmers, equivalent to Peterborough’s AG-Train and AG-Race groups, as well as elite and senior swimmers.

Carly loves swimming because it makes her feel free and strong, and she continues to value the sport as a way to escape the stresses of everyday life. One of her favourite memories as a swimmer was attending the Grand Prix du Québec swim meet in Montreal, which was hosted at the outdoor pool at Parc Jean-Drapeau. She remembers having a great time at the meet and still has many medals from the event.

Carly also enjoys coaching because it combines her passion for swimming with her love of teaching. From a young age, she knew she wanted to become a teacher and has always enjoyed working with others and helping them learn new things. Carly is entering her final year of Trent University’s Bachelor of Education program and hopes to pursue her teaching career after graduation.

Breann Guite

Breann Guite comes from NORAC, where she swam for 10 years, served as a Swim School Coach for 5 years, and was an Assistant Coach for 3 years. She was also the Lead Coach for the YMCA swim team for 2 years and taught with The British Swim School for 2 years.

At The British Swim School, Breann was the Lead Technical Trainer and Operations Supervisor, working with swimmers of all ages and abilities, from toddlers to pre-competitive swimmers, as well as adults learning to swim or looking to improve their speed and technique.

Outside of coaching, Breann enjoys training for triathlons, running, and, of course, swimming!

Cora Ingram

Cora Ingram has been swimming with the PTBO Swim Club since she was 8 years old. Now a Senior swimmer with the club, her favourite stroke is freestyle, especially the long-course 100 Free.

Cora began volunteering as a coach with the club two years ago and is helping coach Devo and Swim School this year. She loves sharing her passion for swimming and helping introduce new swimmers to the sport.

Alison Kalman

Alison Kalman is the lead coach for the Pre-competitive swim group and a mentor coach with the Swim School program. With experience coaching at the Oakville and Mississauga Aquatic Clubs and a background as a competitive swimmer herself, Alison brings both expertise and firsthand insight into athlete development. Currently in her second year of Business at Trent University, she is passionate about guiding young athletes, fostering teamwork, and creating a positive, high-performance environment in the pool.

Matraca Kennedy-Munsterman

Matraca is a coach with our Pre-competitive group. She swam competitively for 10 years, reaching the Canadian Junior National level in 2020, and winning gold and silver at OFSAA in 2023 in 100m Backstroke and 100m Breaststroke events. Now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Trent University, she’s excited to bring her love of swimming to coaching and help young swimmers build confidence, improve their skills, and have fun in the pool.

Sophie O’Neill

Sophie O’Neill started swimming with the Belleville Beast Swim Team at 7 years old. She loved the sport and continued swimming into high school, where she joined the school team. Sophie started as a volunteer coach with the Belleville team at 14 and progressed to coaching the development levels. She is in her second year of kinesiology at Trent University and joined the Peterborough Swim Club coaching staff when she started school here last year. Sophie loves seeing swimmers develop their skills and gain confidence in the pool and is excited for this season.

Lucas Pavalachi-Sofrone

Lucas primarily assists with our Jr Performance, Senior Elite swim groups, as well as being a Masters coach. Lucas was a long-standing member of the PTBO Swim Club, setting a club record and also winning a provincial gold medal. Lucas is in his third year of Kinesiology at Trent University.

Makayla Tucker

Makayla is a coach with our Swim School program. Makayla was a long-time member of the PTBO Swim Club as an outstanding butterfly and 400 IM swimmer. She was an OFSAA gold medal winner in the 50m Butterfly. Makayla is in her 1st year of nursing at Trent University.

Emma Van Dalen

Emma Van Dalen is a Trent University student studying Psychology and English. She has been in the water since she was 3 years old and swam competitively from the age of 6 to 13. Emma swam with Ducks Swim Club in Aurora, reaching the provincial level, and spent many years training both in the pool and on land. She also grew up watching her mom and grandpa coach on deck.

Swimming has always been a big part of Emma’s family, and she has loved the sport from a young age. This passion is what led her to coaching, where she enjoys helping younger swimmers develop their skills and inspiring them to fall in love with the sport.

This is Emma’s first year coaching with the Peterborough Swim Club, where she will be working with the Swim School and Recreational programs.