Dawn brings a rich tapestry of experience to her role as a swim coach, blending her background as a retired Registered Critical Care Nurse with her passion for aquatic sports. Certified by the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) as both a Level 1 Swim Coach and an Adult Community Triathlon Coach, Dawn also holds a National Lifesaving Award and a Lifesaving Society Water Instructor Award. Her lifelong journey in swimming and paddle sports provides her with a profound understanding of how to navigate water efficiently.
Embarking on a new chapter post-nursing, Dawn has found her calling in coaching, where she guides a diverse range of swimmers from infants to seniors. Her coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by her mentorship experiences with some of Ottawa's elite coaches, including Julia Aimers. Always eager to absorb new knowledge, Dawn is committed to continuous learning and improvement, aiming to enrich her swimmers' experiences.
Dawn's coaching approach is characterized by personalized drills and engaging activities, designed to help each swimmer discover their own path to mastering water movement. This methodology not only enhances skill acquisition but also fosters independence and boosts confidence among learners.
Rooted in the belief that swimming offers endless opportunities for growth, Dawn views the sport as a journey of lifelong learning that has something to offer everyone, regardless of age or skill level.
I love the accountability and the structure of the Virtual 70.3 Half Ironman training program. I don't think I would have gotten this far without the program. The accountability is huge for me!
Deborah Jackman
My coach Kevin Willis is amazing. His swim practices have been a real game-changer for me. A great communicator regardless of your swim level. The whole club is supportive of everything you do. You don't need to be an Ironman to benefit from their programs. 5 stars all around!!! - Denise Pittuck
I just wanted to thank you and your team (Gabi! Brenda! Maggie! Dawn!) for making last weekend's event so amazing. I had tried to do a try-a-tri on my own last summer, and the experience was night and day.
Even though I didn't make every virtual session, I felt so prepared... I knew where to go for information, and I knew I had a team of people (coaches and our beginner tri group!) who were all there to support me.
It was interesting to watch Eric train on his own (without access to the TrainingPeaks workouts and without the weekly meetings to ask questions and learn more about proper form and race-day stuff). When we left on Sunday, he looked at me and was like "we're DEFINITELY doing the training with Julia if we decide to go for the olympic distance, right?".
So glad to have found this club and looking forward to many more triathlons in the near future!!! Tai Teleso
