Our Coaching Team
Competitive Program
Andrea Smith - Head Coach
Andrea is entering her ninth year with Swim Ottawa and is no stranger to swimming! Her swimming career spanned 12 years, and she was a member of the Canadian National team from 1995-2000, including the 1996 Olympics, 1998 Commonwealth Games, 1997 and 1999 World Championships and the 1995, 1997 and 1999 Pan Pacific Games. Andrea loves swimming so much that she returned to competition as a masters athlete and competed at the Masters World Championships in 2003. Her favourite event is the 200 butterfly and she loves to watch other swimmers take on this challenge.
Andrea began coaching with the University of Calgary Swim Club before moving to Ottawa and starting a masters program which operates out of our home pool. She is a Senior Coach with over 26 years of coaching experience and brings her passion for swimming to the pool every day.
Email: coachandrea@swimottawa.ca and headcoach@swimottawa.ca
Connor Michie - Age Group 2 & Junior 2
Connor was born and raised in Ottawa, spending most of his life in and around the pool. Specializing in breaststroke and IM, he competed with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, where he was a top competitor at uSports and qualified for the 2012 & 2016 Olympic Trials.
Following the end of his swimming career, Connor began coaching with Gee-Gees Varsity Swimming, leading the sprint program and helping the men's team to secure their first ever uSports podium finish. Connor also worked with Swimming Canada, serving as team manager for the Junior National Team and facilitating events with the top coaches in the country. Connor has a passion for science, nature - especially water, dogs, languages, music and literature.
Email: coachconnor@swimottawa.ca
Precompetitive Programme
Pre-Competitive Lead Coach
Coach Julian
Julian is a Grade 12 student at Lisgar Collegiate Institute and plans to study Biology in university. With a strong passion for swimming, he is excited to share that enthusiasm with the next generation of swimmers and help them develop their skills and confidence in the pool.
Coach Ileana
Ileana is a Grade 12 student at Nepean High School who has been swimming with Swim Ottawa since the age of eight. Some of her favourite memories with SWOTT come from swim meets, where she built strong friendships and gained confidence both in and out of the pool. For Ileana, being a great coach means understanding each swimmer’s individual needs and creating an environment where every child can have fun, feel comfortable, and grow their love for the sport. Next year, she plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts and Science, focusing on chemistry.
Coach Kasimiro
Kasimiro is a Grade 10 student at Nepean High School who has progressed through nearly the entire Swim Ottawa program. He has a deep passion for swimming and is eager to share his love for the sport with younger generations in the club. Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue engineering at university while also competing at the varsity level.
Coach Penny
Penny is in her eighth year of swimming with Swim Ottawa and is thrilled to be coaching for the first time this season. Having progressed through every level of the pre-competitive program, she’s excited to now be on the other side of the deck—sharing her experience and enthusiasm with younger swimmers. Go SWOTT go!
Coach Matilda
Matilda is a 15-year-old swimmer with a decade of experience in the water, including six years at a competitive level. For her, being part of a team means supporting her teammates, listening, and lending a hand whenever needed. She views coaching as an opportunity to share both the technical skills of swimming and her love for the sport, guided by patience, understanding, and dedication. One of Matilda’s favourite memories comes from her time swimming with the Garrett Park Ladybugs in the United States, where weekly themed home meets brought swimmers and coaches together in fun and creative ways. Looking ahead, she hopes to study medicine at university, inspired by her strong interest in health and first aid—an interest that first motivated her to become a lifeguard