Daniel Kelly has been involved with swimming in one way or another for over 21 years. He began competitive swimming at the age of seven and quickly fell in love with the sport, the teamwork, and the dedication it demanded. By thirteen, he was volunteering with his swim team, teaching water safety to young members of his community. At sixteen, he started his first full-time job at AquaTech Swim School in Alameda, California, and by eighteen, he launched a pre-competitive swim team with the organization.
From ages nineteen to twenty-three, Daniel stepped away from the pool to work in the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) field, supporting children with autism. His experiences there strongly shaped his coaching philosophy and interpersonal approach.
Missing the pool and the connections built through coaching, Daniel joined the Burlingame Aquatic Club, where he has since had the pleasure of coaching some of the Bay Area’s most talented athletes. Although he has coached swimmers of all ages, he has spent much of his time working with 11–12-year-olds. Under his guidance, athletes have achieved Age Group Championship standards, Far Western standards, selection to Zone All-Stars and Pacific All-Stars, and high-point honors at championship meets.
Alina has been a competitive swimmer for 6 years and a swim instructor for over 8 years. In 2023 she coached at a club swim team in Southern California before joining us as a Panther. She has taught a wide variety of people including children, adults, and the elderly. From introducing beginners to the joy of swimming to fine-tuning the techniques of competitive athletes, Alina has been a part of countless success stories.
Alina has a passion for creating a fun and enriching environment for all swimmers to become the best version of themselves. She believes in creating a positive, motivating environment where swimmers feel supported to tackle any challenge. As a coach, Alina finds nothing more rewarding than witnessing swimmers shine. Her goal for every swimmer is to leave each practice feeling stronger, faster, and more confident than the last.
Maile Firenze is a dedicated coach with the Bay Club Panthers, having joined the team in september 2023. With a strong foundation of aquatic sports including swimming and water polo, Maile has been a swim instructor at the Bay Club since August 2021, where she has honed her skills in fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for her swimmers.
Currently a student at Foothill Community College, Maile brings over 10 years of competitive swimming experience to her coaching role, complemented by a background in water polo. Maile's coaching centers on creating a fun, motivating, and uplifting atmosphere for her swimmers. She is committed to developing not only skilled athletes but also well-rounded individuals, emphasizing personal growth both in and out of the pool.
Coach Matt started as a lifeguard at Bay Club in 2010, and began coaching in 2011 purely by chance: an instructor was needed last minute, and Matt needed gas money. Surprising to Matt, a passion for teaching and working with kids developed.
After almost 15 years of coaching, the passion for working with kids never stopped, and he spends much of his free time assisting the swim team and stroke school. Coach Matt's main focus is on early stroke development and fundamentals. He takes a direct approach when coaching and tailors the instructions to the individual swimmer. Matt blends humor, exuberance, and a bit of sarcasm into practice to keep the kids engaged and having fun, while also keeping them focused on the task at hand.
Email: [email protected]
