Angie Abdou

Silver Pod

Angie has been involved in competitive swimming since 1973. She swam for the Thunder Bay Thunderbolts, the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Flying Fins, the Regina Optimist Dolphins, The University of Western Ontario Mustangs (Varsity), The Fernie Bullies (Masters), and The Elk Valley Dolphins Masters. She has thirty years of teaching experience and a long history of coaching with the Dolphins. She is Level 2 NCCP certified

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Cassandran Purdon

Red Pod - Team Manager

Cass is an NCCP Level 1  coach currently completing her second season with The Dolphins. Originally from Victoria, she swam competitively with Island Swimming for over 7 years. During her swimming career, she achieved national age-group rankings, with highlights including competing at national swim meets and being selected for several junior national teams. Cass is passionate about fostering a fun and supportive swim community that helps youth succeed in and out of the pool. When not at the pool, you may catch her riding her bike, skiing, or working on her latest knitting project.

Randi Goertzen

Assistant Coach

Born and raised in Fernie, BC, Randi began swimming with the Elk Valley Dolphins at age nine, the very year the team was founded (and even won the competition to name the club!). She swam competitively with the Dolphins until graduating high school.
After graduation, Randi took a break from competitive swimming to travel before eventually returning home to Fernie. Her lifelong passion for coaching and helping young athletes grow and succeed naturally led her back to the pool—this time on the deck instead of in the lane.
Although a chronic shoulder injury limits her ability to swim the way she once did, Randi embraced the saying, “If you can’t do, teach,”—and she’s found her true calling in doing just that.

Helena de Jong

Green Pod

Helena grew up swimming competitively, playing water polo and then transitioned to teaching municipal swim lessons throughout her teens and 20s. After taking a break to have kids, she found herself back on the deck but this time watching her children enjoy swimming with the Dolphins. That deep love of the pool came right back, and she couldn’t say no when the opportunity to coach came along in 2024!

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Danica Tang

Pups and Junior Pups - Learn to Swim Program

Danica has been involved in aquatics for over 20 years, working with both the Lifesaving Society and the Red Cross in various instructional and leadership roles. After moving to Fernie, she made the jump into coaching with the Elk Valley Dolphins and has loved being part of the club ever since. Danica is especially passionate about the Adaptive Program and the Learn-to-Swim levels, where she focuses on building water confidence and foundational skills. She believes swimming is a life skill that everyone deserves access to, and brings that belief into every session she leads. She is a certified Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor Trainer and enjoys mentoring and developing our junior coaches. Her experience, energy, and dedication make her a valued part of the coaching team.

Valerie Lessard

Sparwood - Elkford

Valerie has been coaching the EVDSC for just over a year in Sparwood and Elkford. She is growing the club in Sparwood and is a trained NCCP Level 1 coach. She brings 5 years of experience coaching swimming and water polo. Valerie did one year of competitive swimming in her youth before switching over to water polo where she competed with Team Ontario and the Youth and Junior National Water Polo Teams (2003-2007). She is currently swimming with the Gray Pod. She’s excited to share her knowledge and passion for swimming!

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Cynthia Kielpinski

  Elkford

Cynthia’s connection to the Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club spans more than 13 years—beginning as a dedicated swimmer and now continuing as a coach. In January 2025, her passion for the sport and commitment to the community led her to help re-establish EVDSC in Elkford, bringing new opportunities for young athletes to dive into swimming. As an NCCP Community Sport Coach certified instructor, Cynthia fosters a welcoming and supportive environment where swimmers can build confidence, master technique, and develop a lifelong love for the sport. She’s proud to help grow the next generation of Dolphins in the very place her own swim journey began.

Grace Hayden

Assistant Coach

NCCP 201: Grace has been coaching for EVDSC for almost six years now. She has been a competitive swimmer since she was 7 and her favourite events are the 50 Fly and 200 IM. She also works as a lifeguard and swim instructor.

​​​​​​​Slone Larsen

Junior Coach

Slone is very excited to be joining our junior coaching team this season. She has been swimming with the EVDSC for 5 years. She is passionate about swimming for the community it provides and wants to share her love for swimming with others.

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Abbi Wannamaker

Junior Coach

Abbi has been swimming with the club for 8 years and coaching for almost 3. Her favorite stroke is freestyle, and she loves training alongside her friends. Outside the pool, Abbi enjoys spending time outdoors and hanging out with friends. She’s super excited to be coaching again this year!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Ava Pollock

​​​​​​​Junior Coach

Ava has been with the club for the past 10 years and is in her second year of coaching. Her favorite stroke is breaststroke, and when she’s not at school or working, you’ll probably find her at the gym or skiing. She can’t wait for another great season!

Keagen Barre

Junior Coach

Keagin is excited to be returning to his second season coaching for the junior pups and pup groups. Keagen enjoys lifeguarding and coaching at the pool, and outside of work he stays active through biking and skiing. He’s looking forward to seeing everyone this season!

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Atley Nelson

Junior Coach

Atley is enthusiastic to be a part of the junior coaching team this season. She has been with the club for approximately 6 years. Her favourite stroke in the pool is breaststroke, and her favourite sport outside of the pool is volleyball.

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Katie Hafke

Junior Coach

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