Head Coach - Shane Esau

Shane is a trained NCCP Level 3 coach and has a master's degree in the Art and Science of Coaching with a specialization in exercise physiology from the University of Calgary. Shane has been around the pool for 50 years, first as a swimmer, who achieved National team member status and was a finalist in numerous National Championships. Following his swimming career, he started his coaching career and worked his way up to becoming the head coach of a small club in Calgary. He went on to coach in Nanaimo, BC, as well as working with the National Paralympic Swim Team as an exercise physiologist. Shane took on the role of lead exercise physiologist for a number of Paralympic teams, including Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Working with Swimming Canada he had the same position for the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships and the 2007 Para Pan American Games.

"I believe that technique is the cornerstone in competitive swimming mixed in with very specific workouts to develop the physiology of every competitive swimmer."

Competitive Coach - Mark McKenzie

This is Mark's 3^rd season with APSC! His experience:

• Trained NCCP Level 1 Coach
• In 5^th Year of Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology - University of Calgary
• U-Sports Academic All-Canadian Award

​Mark started swimming competitively at age 8 in Perth, Australia. He then continued to swim competitively in the Netherlands for 4 years, before coming to Canada and joining the University of Calgary Swim Club in high school. He now swims for the University of Calgary Dino's Varsity Swim Team. Mark has been a finalist at the USports National Championships and the Canadian Swimming Trials. Mark's coaching experience includes assisting with the UCSC Strength & Conditioning program as part of his degree and coaching with APSC since last year. Mark is excited to see how APSC's swimmers can progress both in & out of the pool. Mark's best event is the 200m Backstroke and his favourite swimmer is Ryan Murphy.

​"The key to great swimming is being able to push yourself each and every day, and improve on one thing each time you get in the water."

Competitive Coach - Paul McKenzie

This is Paul's 3^rd season with APSC!  His experience:

• Trained NCCP Level 1 Coach
• In 5^th Year of Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology - University of Calgary
• U-Sports Academic All-Canadian Award

Paul has been swimming for about 15 years, starting in Australia, before moving to the Netherlands for middle school and later on to Canada for high school. Paul swam with the University of Calgary Swim Club during high school before moving on to swim for the Dinos Varsity team at the University. Paul has won medals at the Canada West championships, and relay medals at the USport Championships. Paul is excited to put the skills he has learned in coaching courses throughout his degree to use, and can't wait to see the hard work of all the athletes result in huge best times this year! Paul's signature event is the 200m Freestyle and his favourite swimmer is Kyle Chalmers.

​"I believe the secret to great swimming is working hard but also having a fun time while doing it. If you enjoy what you're doing, it is going to be much easier to find success in the pool."

Copper & I Can Swim Coach - Anders Klein

This is Anders' inaugural season with APSC! Anders, originally from Sedgewick, AB, swam through the age group program with the Edmonton Keyano Swim Club. Anders has numerous club records with EKSC from 2015-16. At 17 years old, he competed at the Junior World Championships in his signature events of 100Bk and 200Bk. He continued to swim competitively for the University of Calgary Dino's Varsity Swim Team. Throughout his University swimming career, he won both individual and relay medals at the Canada West Championships, and at the USport Championships. During the 2018-2019 season, he was ranked 7th in Alberta. Anders is a trained NCCP Level 1 Coach and is a certified I Can Swim Instructor. He strongly believes in the team aspect of swimming and showcases a continually positive attitude, and such qualities match perfectly with those of APSC!

Copper & I Can Swim Coach - Mickayla Knudson

This is Micky's inaugural season with APSC! Micky, whose hometown is Calgary, AB, swam with the University of Calgary Swim Club throughout high school. She then continued to swim competitively for the University of Calgary Dino's Varsity Swim Team. Micky was named an Academic All-Canadian because of her impressive academic average and athletic status. Throughout her University Swimming career, with backstroke as her best event, she and Dino's women's swimming team won the 2021 Canada West Championships. Micky graduated on the Faculty of Science Dean's List. She was the head leader for 2023 of Just Keep Swimming lessons for 3 years. JKS teaches young swimmers with neurological or developmental disabilities to swim confidently. She is a trained NCCP Level 1 Coach and is a certified I Can Swim Instructor. Her strong work ethic and commitment have allowed her to make great strides through her swimming career, which she will undoubtedly carry over to the APSC team!