WDSC Coaches
Our Winskill Dolphins Swim Club is lead by our wonderful staff of coaches. All our WDSC coaches are excited to work with your swimmer.
Judy Baker
Head Coach
Hello Winskill! I competed at the club and varsity level and was on the Canadian National swim team for four years. I became internationally ranked at the age of 13: ranking within the top 20 swimmers in the World for 400 IM, 200 Fly and 800 Free. In 1980, I broke the Canadian record for the 800m Free. I was the first female swimmer inducted into the NAIA Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame and was honoured with Athlete of the Year for Simon Fraser University. I ended my swimming career in 1983 and soon thereafter started coaching full-time.
Upon completing my coaching theory and practicum level three, I became head coach of the Winskill Dolphins in 1989 where I enjoyed many great successes and earned youth coach of the year in 1998; I stepped down from this position in 2000 to focus on running my own business. I sold this business in 2016 so I could give more attention to my true passion in life: swimming. While I have always coached part-time with the Winskill Otters Master’s program, in 2015 I was honoured to be chosen as Canadian National Head Coach for the Deaf. This summer we traveled to Brazil for the Deaflympics!
My general philosophy towards swimming is about instilling strong training habits and work ethic while building a sound technical platform in all four competitive strokes. Most importantly I do everything within my power to form healthy and lasting relationships with all my athletes; I believe socializing with both swimmers and their families to help build strong club dynamics. The main objective behind all healthy competitive swim clubs is to provide an opportunity for each of its members to attain his or her maximum potential in competitive swimming. I will work with all of the swimmers and their coaches to help provide an individualized approach to their goals in this sport!
Kennedy LoewenAssistant Head Coach
Age Group Gold & Age Group Blue Coach
Age Group Gold & Age Group Blue Coach
under renovation
Caitlyn Fowler
Junior Dolphins Coach
Under Renovation
Sam Cates
Lead Coach - Mini Dolphins and Age Group Blue
Hi Dolphins!
My name is Coach Sam, and this will be my fourth season with Winskill! I will be leading the Mini Dolphins program, as well as working with the Age Group Blue swimmers throughout the week.
I am currently a kinesiology undergraduate at UBC, where I am about to complete my third year. I began swimming competitively in 2014 with the Ladner Stingrays, which is where I am lucky to still be today. I started my coaching career with them in 2018 and just completed my seventh summer season of coaching, and first as their Head Coach! Though I enjoy swimming IM, my favourite stroke has to be butterfly. Despite not having been a winter swimmer, my passion for this sport is just as strong. I am so grateful to be apart of this team as it gives me even more of an outlet to coach the sport I love. I cannot wait to teach, learn, and have a great season with you all! See you on the pool deck:)
Sophia Raffai
Lead Coach - Junior Dolphins Blue
Hi! My name is Sophie Raffai (or coach Sophie). I am 16 years old and I have been swimming my whole life ever since I was taught by my dad. I lead both Junior Dolphins 1&2 for this season. I previously was a swimmer for 11 years, the last 4 of them being for Winskill in the provincial/national group. My previous experience with this was last year when I transitioned from swimming to coaching JD GOLD for the last few months of the season, as well as the volunteering I have done with this club over the 5 year course I have been at Winskill. As a coach I strive to keep learning from my mentors in order to improve our swimmers to the best of my ability. My two biggest values as a coach are athlete-coach relationship and technical focus.
Annali Buchanan
Junior Dolphins Blue
Hello, my name is Annali Buchanan. I’m in grade 11 and am a student at South Delta Secondary School. I have been a swimmer for almost 10 years now and this will be my 6th year swimming with the Winskill Dolphins. When I am not swimming, I immerse myself in art, whether it is fine arts or performing arts. My favourite artist is Vincent Van Gogh and I am currently a cast member in SDSS Equinox Theatres production of the musical “The Wizard of Oz”.
Zeina Khalifa
Junior Coach - Mini Dolphins & Junior Dolphin Blue
Hey Dolphins! My name is Zeina and I will be coaching the Mini Dolphins and Junior Dolphins Blue this season. I have been swimming with the Dolphins for almost 8 years, and this is my third year coaching. In the pool, my favourite stroke is Breaststroke. However, outside the pool, I like trying new recipes, reading, and catching up with my friends. I look forward to passing on my skills and love for the sport to your swimmers, see you soon
Nick MacPherson
Junior Coach - Mini Dolphins
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