2025 Nanaimo White Rapids Coaches
Coaching Team - Speed Swimming
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Rachel McInnes - Head Coach I'm excited to be returning for my second season with NWRSC this summer! I grew up in Kelowna, BC, where I developed a love for swimming and coaching through their summer swim club. Since then, I’ve continued in the sport, recently completing my fourth and final year swimming with the University of Ottawa Varsity Team. I’ll be returning to Ottawa this fall for one final semester to finish my Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics. I'm passionate about creating a positive, inclusive team environment where swimmers feel supported and excited to come to the pool. I believe in the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship, and I’m committed to building a |
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Nyah De Pol - Assistant Head Coach Hi everyone, my name is Nyah De Pol and I’m so excited to be back this summer with the White Rapids. I have been a part of this club for 16 years. l began coaching with the White Rapids when I was 13 years old and now at 21, I am still just as excited to be part of the coaching team. The amazing community this club has created is what makes it so special, and I am very grateful to be a part of such an incredible team. During the winter I am a nursing student at Camosun/UVic. Along with school I am a lifeguard and swim instructor with the City of Victoria. I played a variety of competitive sports growing up including soccer and basketball, but swimming has always been one of my favourites. I am very excited to share my passion for this sport with the younger generation of swimmers. I can’t wait to see you all on deck for our 2025 summer season!
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Ava Johnson Hi everyone! My name is Ava, and I’m excited to be coaching with the White Rapids again this summer! I started swimming with the White Rapids in 2010 as a Division 1 swimmer, and this summer will mark my 10th season in a coaching role. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to take on several coaching positions within the club, each one providing opportunities to develop my leadership skills and support the growth of young swimmers. Outside of the pool, I’m currently a Grade 5/6 teacher in SD68. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, basketball, and running—and I |
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Jakob Mbobela Hello everyone! My name is Jakob, and this will be my third season coaching with the White Rapids! I recently finished four years of post-secondary at the University of Ottawa, where I also competed on the varsity swim team as one of the captains. Enough about school! I love to hike, surf, travel, and of course, hit the gym, but above all— I’m super excited to head back to Nanaimo and spread some summer club magic for new and returning swimmers! |
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Brent Williams Hi White Rapids Families! I am so excited to be back on deck for my 4th year as a coach. Ever since joining the club in 2016 it has been such an integral and enjoyable part of my summer, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help create that same magical atmosphere for my swimmers. I just finished my first year at the University of Victoria, and some of my hobbies there included Model United Nations and Fencing. I usually hang around the pool for a bit before and after I coach and I want to get to know you all so feel free to chat with me if you see me around!
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Hannah Duffell Hi everyone, my name is Hannah! I’m a grade 12 student at Wellington Secondary and next year I’m going to the University of Victoria for science. In my free time I love playing guitar, going to the gym, backpacking, and surfing. This is my 12th year as a swimmer with the Nanaimo White Rapids and my fourth year as a coach. A fun fact about me is that I’ve been sky diving and bungee jumping! See you on the pool deck!
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Sofia Ibrahim Hi, everyone! My name is Sofia and this is my third year with the White Rapids, and first year coaching! I am currently in grade 11 at Wellington Secondary School. I grew up in the UAE and swam competitively there from age 8 as a winter swimmer. I moved to Nanaimo in 2021 where I joined the Nanaimo Diamonds Artistic Swim Team. If I’m not at the Kin Pool swimming, you can probably find me at a different pool either lifeguarding or coaching Riptides and Diamonds. I’m super excited for this season, and I can’t wait to see everyone on deck! |
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Raine Deschambault I’ve been with White Rapids for 10 years and it’s always been a big part of my summer. Outside the pool, I love playing beach volleyball, being outdoors, and soaking up warm weather. I’m happiest when I’m outside and active, whether it’s on the volleyball court or just hanging out in the sun. |
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Eden Segal Hi everyone! My name is Eden and I am currently attending Nanaimo District Secondary School. I'm so excited to be coaching with the club this summer! This is my 10th summer being a part of this wonderful club and my first year as a coach. I first joined the club when I was 5 years old, and my favourite strokes are butterfly and breaststroke. As well as coaching and swimming I also play water polo with the club. I think one of the best things about this club is how supportive and encouraging the club is. I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing coaching team. When I am not at the pool you can find me in the ocean doing long swims and open water races with my mom, in the forest walking with my dog and at the climbing gym as well as the normal gym. I also love to cook and bake. I’m looking forward to supporting my swimmers to improve their swimming and to meet their goals this summer and have a lot of fun. Can't wait to see you all around the pool! |
Coaching Team - Water Polo
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Keara Boan - Head Coach Hello! My name is Keara, I was born and raised in Regina, SK but I moved to Nanaimo three years ago. Here’s a little about me, and my athletic journey, I am an alumni athlete of the Saskatchewan Provincial Water Polo Team. During my time on Team Sask, my team and I acquired a medal every year at Nationals. Also, I was selected to compete internationally as a member of the Canadian Junior Women’s National Water Polo Team. During this time my team and I earned a silver medal at Junior Pan American Games and competed in the FINA Youth Water Polo World Championships. This year, I rejoined Team Sask as an out of province athlete and competed at Nationals for the senior age group. There, my team and I took home the silver medal! I began coaching for the Regina Piranhas Recreational Water Polo team, which gave me the opportunity to give back to the program that got me to fall in love with Water Polo. With my experience as an athlete and as a coach I feel confident that I will be an asset to the Nanaimo White Rapids coaching staff and I look forward to being a part of the community! I feel very privileged to be a part of your child’s athletic development and I hope to create a fun, enthusiastic and supportive learning environment this summer! See you at the pool! Click HERE for a great news story about Keara. |
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Adam Leggett
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