Our Coaches

All of our coaches are certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and are registered with Swim Alberta, Swimming Canada, and the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association.

Coach Heather

Heather has always loved the water. She began competing as a synchronized swimmer at age 11 and made it to Nationals at age 18. As a 17-year-old, she started competitive swimming as cross-training for synchro and accidentally fell in love with it. She spent a year on the Grande Prairie Regional College swim team, then joined Penguin Swimming in 2004, first as a swimmer, then a coach.

When Penguin Swimming dissolved in 2023, Heather worked with other former Penguin Masters swimmers to create Fast Eddie’s Swim Club. With over two decades of experience in coaching and instructing aquatic sports and a PhD in sport psychology, she was happy to take on the role of head coach. 

Heather continues to train and compete in masters swimming. In fact, she’ll often test out sets on herself before assigning them to other swimmers! Heather also offers private coaching and beginner swimming lessons to adults as The Big Mermaid. Outside of the pool, she works as an instructional designer. She enjoys hanging out with her partner, Kiran, traveling, and eating delicious vegetarian food.

Coach Lauren

Lauren began her swimming journey in the pools of Melbourne, Australia, and continued it in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before finally moving to Canada. Starting at the age of 6, Lauren competed in a vast number of countries across the world and could not get enough of the sport.

Lauren is the newest addition to the Fast Eddie’s coaching roster and has decades of swimming expertise to share with swimmers. She loves being both in the pool and on deck, cheering on swimmers as they set new personal bests and try out new events. 

Lauren has continued her swimming journey through masters and also trains for and competes in triathlons! Outside of the pool, Lauren studies nursing at the UofA and loves to travel, cook (and eat) delicious meals, and hang out with her friends and pet Basset, Jake.

Coach Gaby

Gaby began swimming in the outdoor pools of Guatemala. Even though she continued her love for swimming in Canada through swimming lessons, she didn’t find it challenging enough and decided to call up Penguins. 

Gaby began her competitive journey at age 14 and eventually participated in age group provincials for two years in a row before joining the Penguin’s master swim club. Gaby has worked alongside former Penguin team members to create and solidify the new Fast Eddie’s Masters swim team, and with more than seven years of age group coaching experience, coaching masters seemed inevitable! 

Gaby continues to train and compete in masters swimming and really enjoys the occasional 100m fly at swim meets. Outside of swimming Gaby enjoys spending time with her corgi and her partner, and is excited to go back to school in the fall. 

Coach Beth

Beth grew up in a small town where the only pool was outdoors, so the swimming season lasted just over three months. But she made the most of it, much to the dismay of the local lifeguards, who often found her swimming in the rain when the temperature was barely above 10 degrees.

At age ten, Beth joined the summer swim club and fell in love with the sport. She swam competitively for six years with the Hanna Seals and also taught swimming lessons. After moving to Edmonton, Beth continued swimming independently and eventually met Coach Gaby, who invited her to help coach the Fast Eddie's swim team. Though she had little coaching experience Beth was eager to learn. Since then, she has gained valuable knowledge and finds coaching both rewarding and inspiring. She hopes to continue building her skills and become a stronger coach each year.

Outside the pool, Beth studies Physiology at the University of Alberta and plans to pursue an after-degree in secondary education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, decorating cakes, and biking in the river valley.