Coaches and Directors
Coach Drew McClure is looking to make the Richmond Rapids the name in swimming in Canada. He believes in using scientifically sound principals to develop training and technique, and demands technical intelligence, high racing intensity, and positive attitudes from his athletes. Drew uses a measured and focused approach to steadily build and develop talent in the age group programs.
Drew swam competitively in Paducah, Kentucky and started coaching while in college. After graduating, he moved to Vancouver with his wife. Drew is an NCCP Level 2 Certified coach. This is his eighth year as a coach for the Rapids.
Dennis has been 17 years of caoching experience with 15 of thsoe with the Rapids. He is fully certified NCCP level 2 coach and has coached swimmers from the RSS program right up to the National level. He believes that by consistantly trying your best, being honest, and training with purpose on a daily basis, swimmers will develop a strong work ethic and valuable life skills through swimming. Dennis is also the club resgistrar and responsible for membership billing. If you have any questions please do not hestitate to email him.
Started her swimming career in Richmond with the Aquanauts. She swam competitively for 15 years and reached the National and International Levels. The highlights of her career include competiting for Canada at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria and 1994 World Championships in Rome. She swam for UBC for one year and then transfered to the University of Nevada Las Vegas where she ended her career. She is a NCCP Level 1 Certified Coach and this is her ninth season with the Rapids.
Alex has been coaching with the Rapids for over 15 years. During this time she has coached at all levels of the club. Alex brings a strong technique focused coaching philosophy to the the Regional Development program.
Alex in a fully certified NCCP level 2 coach.
Coach Vlad has been a part of the Richmond Rapids for over 15 years, first as a swimmer. Now a coach, Vlad is dedicated to helping the Rapids grow into a powerhouse of Canadian swimming. Vlad studied kinesiology, biomechanics, and strength and conditioning, and uses that knowledge to develop physical literacy and technical mastery in his athletes.
Vlad’s philosophy of coaching aims to promote mental resiliency to help swimmers achieve their goals, both in and out of the water.
Morgan’s focus is to help her swimmers cultivate an enjoyable, healthy and long-lasting relationship with the sport of swimming. In addition, she uses her extensive experience and educational background in swimming to develop training that is both technical and purposeful.
Tanja was a competitive swimmer for 9 years and has been with the Richmond Rapids since the beginning. This year will be her 27th year of coaching and she enjoys teaching children to to swim. During the day, she is an educational assistant in the Richmond School District.
The coach for the Junior 2 camp and the dolphin kick clinic is Samantha Corea. Samantha began her swimming with the Gators Swim Club and VPSC. Afer High school, Samantha swam for and attended the University of Denver. Samantha earned mutliple academic scholarships and athletic awards during University. She was also a 2 time finalist at the NCAA Swimming Championships. In 2015, Samantha was a member of Canada's Pan American Games Team and made an A final at the 2016 Olympic Trials. Samantha's coaching experience includes working for the Vancouver Vikings and running swimming clinics with the BCSSA and the University of Denver.
Ada swam competitively for 7 years and is currently a student at Steveston London Secondary. She started swimming for the Rapids at a young age and has always had a passion for swimming. She is looking forward to sharing this passion with her swimmers. This will be her third year coaching with the Rapids.
Ada is attending her thirs year at UBC and this will be her fifth year coaching with our program. She swam competitively for 8 years with the Rapids program.
Alex swam for 6 years with Rapids and volunteered for a year before becoming a coach at our Minoru Program. He currently attends school at Steveston London Secondary and this is his third year as a coach.
Chris is in his ninth season coaching with the Rapids. Chris swam competitively with the Rapids for over 10 years and he is also a lifeguard with the City of Richmond.
Josh swam competitively for 7 years with the Richmond Rapids. During his time competing he reached Provincial levels and competed at the 2016 BC Summer Games. He is now attending McMath Secondary School and this will be his second year coaching.
Justin will be entering his fourth year of coaching with the Rapids. He has been a competitive swimmer with the club for five years prior to becoming a coach. Justin is also a lifeguard/instructor with the City of Richmond and a fourth year student at UBC in the department of political science. Justin has a passion for teaching as well as the aesthetics of sports kinesthetics and enjoy imparting his experience with the Rapids for the next generation of swimmers.
Karen swam competitively for five years and volunteered for a year before becoming a coach at our Rapids program at Minoru. This will be her third year coaching with the Rapids and she is a student at Richmond Secondary.
Logan has been an avid competitives swimmer for the past eight years. She first swam competively with the Richmond Kigoos, achieving two provincial qualifications and mulitple awards at the Fraser South Regional competition. She is currently studying nursing and is excited to be coming back to her fourth season with the Rapids.
William is attending his fourth year of university at SFU. He swam for many years with the Rapids program and this will be his sixth year of coaching with the Rapids. He is also a lifeguard with the City of Richmond.
Michael swam with the Richmond Rapids for 9 years. The highlights of his career include medaling at Canada's 2008 swimming Nationals and qualifying for the Canadian Western level. He is super excited to get into his second year of coaching and pass on his knowledge of the sport.
Mika swam with Richmond Kigoos for 3 years and in 2014, she started playing water polo. She played polo for Pacific Storm and in 2016 and 2017, her team played in the National Championship League. In the summer, Mika played water polo with Burnaby Barracudas winning provincials in the U16 and U18 category. Mika is looking forward to her second year coaching for Rapids.
Ethan Hong is a high school student in Vancouver and has always been passionate about swimming. He will be returning to his second year of coaching with the Rapids this season.
Daniella is a high school student who swam competitively with the Rapids for many years. She will be returning to her second year of coaching and she is also a lifeguard with the City of Richmond.
