Head Coach Carol Mochkatel

      Coach Carol Mochkatel has been involved with swimming her whole life as a swimmer, coach and swim parent.  Carol graduated from the University of Washington Majoring in Japanese Language and Regional Studies. 

  She has coached swimmers from beginning levels to YMCA Nationals, USA Swimming Jr. Nationals and Nationals, and International level competitions.  Coach Carol started her coaching career at the Mission Viejo Nadadores, a team that has won 47 National Team Championships, 20 Olympic medals and has broken 22 World Records.  Upon moving to the area, she has found ongoing success with local swimmers leading to competitions at YMCA Nationals, USA Swimming Jr. Nationals/Winter Nationals, US Open and International   competition.  Coach Carol also has extensive international experience with swimmers from the former East Germany, Polish Federation and Thailand.   Most recently she coached an athlete to the Philippine Junior National Team, travelling with him to the Philippines and Cambodia for training and competitions with the team.  Additionally, she is currently serving as a Technical Advisor for the “I Can Swim” program through Swimming Canada, the governing body of swimming in Canada.  This program covers swimming from beginning to pre-national.  

As an American Swimming Coaches Association level 3 Coach Carol strongly believes in continued education/learning for coaches, swimmers and parents.

Her coaching philosophy is: I firmly believe in developing technically correct swimming from the youngest to the most elite swimmer while preparing swimmers for life and success in and out of the pool, with a strong sense of team and sportsmanship.

Coach Carol lives on Camano Island with her husband of 40 years and continues to swim 5 days a week. 

       Assistant Coach Kelsey Johnson

Coach Kelsey Johnson has been swimming her entire life.  She began at the age of 1 and completed all of the levels at the YMCA by the age of 7.  Her talent was noticed by the coaching staff of the Skagit Valley Family YMCA Chinooks Swim Team and Kelsey began to compete at the age of 7.  At the age of 12, Kelsey transitioned to the Thunderbirds Aquatic Club in Anacortes, WA and then later swam with Sedro-Woolley High School where she was a star swimmer, competing all 4 years at the 2A Washington State Championships.  This earned her a swim scholarship to Colorado State University Pueblo where she was a butterfly specialist.  Since then, Kelsey has coached at the Thunderbird Aquatic Club, Riverside Health Club and Sedro-Woolley and Burlington High Schools as Co-Head Coach. 

Coach Kelsey’s philosophy on swimming:

“I believe in developing correct techniques for all levels of swimmers to prevent injury and help achieve swimmers potential.”