Coaches

Head Coach: Stephen Ptucha


Swim coach: Laurel Richardson

“Laurel Richardson is an NCCP certified level 2 swim coach and has completed the NCCP Community Coaching course for triathlon. She is also a level one pilates instructor, teaching pilates as part of an overall athletic development, accompanied by other sports. Within the framework of both winter and summer swim programs, Laurel has worked with swimmers ranging from five to seventy-five years old at varying levels of ability for the past five years. Never having been a competitive swimmer herself, she cultivated a love of swimming and the science behind it during university and it has been one of her passions ever since. On the pool deck, Laurel puts an emphasis on freestyle efficiency and open water tactics, while including other skills and strokes to create a healthy and balanced athlete. As a triathlete herself, Laurel is always excited to share her love of the sport with everyone, be it a beginner athlete looking for fun and fitness or a competitive racer pursuing world championship events”

Bike coach: Joel Waithman

Run coach: Calvin Gehlen (Finish Line Coaching)

“Calvin Gehlen is owner and certified coach at Finish Line Coaching, Ltd. He designs personal running, cycling and triathlon programs for individuals as well as programs for local clubs. His fitness education has been through Douglas College where he studied CFES Fitness Knowledge and NCCP Level One Cycling Theory. He has also added Human Kinetics Exercise Nutrition education to his repertoire. Calvin has completed the new NCCP Community Coach course for triathlon and is in the process of completing the NCCP Competition courses for both triathlon and cycling as well as Human Kinetics Advanced Exercise Nutrition. Calvin has had the pleasure of being a cycling coach with Steveston Athletic Association for two years. He was the Run Director for a large triathlon club, designing and implementing their entire run program. He has also recently organized and led a running skills clinic, leading some of the top runners in the city. Running has been a passion since elementary school for Calvin, when he had his first chance to be on the track team. For you speedsters out there, Calvin has qualified for the Boston Marathon and has run several sub-40 10Ks, so he has the personal experience with getting quicker to help you reach your goals. Most of all, Calvin believes running and fitness should be fun. If you aren’t having fun, you won’t stick with a training program in the long run.”