Coaches

Head Coach, Senior/High Performance Carmen Thorburn

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.

Level 4 & Junior Coach Alfredo Avila

Born in Mexico City, Alfredo is the second child in a big family. With a lot of energy his parents decided to enter him into sports. Alfredo began swimming at the age of 6. Other sports included soccer, athletics, and tennis. After moving to Querétaro at the age of 9 he continued the above sports until the age of 18. During university Alfredo began taking up triathlon and was ranked 9th at the national level. In his 2nd year at university he focused on athletics and earned a scholarship. Triathlon became the focus over the last couple of years at school where he placed 3rd and 5th in the national rankings. It was during university that Alfredo met Carmen and was hired as an assistant coach. During that time he had the all time best team in Queretero. He worked again for Carmen in a government position where he worked with teens who were the top 16 in the country. He currently holds a level 1 coaching accreditation from Mexico. Carmen has known Alfredo for 10 years and is confident that he has the knowledge and the personality required to produce high quality athletes in the provincial and Jr. B. group.

Level 3 Coach Prisciliana Escobar

...photo and biography coming soon...

Level 1 & Level 2 Coach - Mike Butler

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. 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.

Melanie Price - Novice (Mountain West)

Coach Melanie's love of swimming began as an age grouper with the Hamilton Aquatic Club, coached by Brian Bond. Her luck with great coaches continued as she swam varsity with Herb DeBray at Brock University, and (while swimming competitively as a master) under Dave Judd where she has swum to provincial and national titles. From starting to dabble in triathlons while at university to her most recent astounding crossing of Lake Ontario, Melanie enjoys the physical and mental challenges of competition. She has won the Subaru age group sprint triathlon series and recently pushed herself through an Ironman triathlon. "Crossing the finish line is amazing; emotionally overwhelming, and the biggest adrenaline rush!" A swim family, Melanie's daughter now swims with HAC. While watching her daughter's practices, she realized how much she'd like to coach. "I am very excited to share my love of swimming and promote a healthy & fun lifestyle."

Lisa Hodge - Novice Coordinator

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.

Jenna Butler - Novice (Mountain East)

...photo and biography coming soon...

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 third 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), Fitness/Masters & Olympic Way

Kahla began swimming for HAC at age 9. She quickly moved through the rankings and was ranked as a top age group swimmer in the country. She had much success winning events at regional's, provincials and eastern. She competed at the national level in Canada and attended the 2004 Olympic Game Trials. After much success in Hamilton, she earned a swimming scholarship to the University at Buffalo where she earned a B.A. in Social Sciences and later went on to complete a Masters of Science in Education. She is currently an elementary school teacher. This will be here third year coaching the city south group; her dedication to swimming and passion for teaching will no doubt make this swim season fun and successful for all her swimmers!!!

Tristan Vowles - Olympic Way

Tristan is a current senior group member of the club, training under head coach Carmen Escobar. He competes on the senior national level and aspires to make senior national teams. He has been involved with the club for 10 years as a swimmer and mentor to other swimmers, and last year filled in occasionally as an olympic way coach. Tristan is excited to be working with the olympic way program this year so he can share his knowledge and swimming experience with young swimmers.