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Head Coach

KAREN GILL

I started my swimming lessons at the outdoor pool at Harrison Park in Owen Sound at the age of six.  Summers were spent swimming in Lake Huron or a relatives’ outdoor pool in Southampton.  It was after the birth of my son in 1981 and attending his swimming lessons that I soon realized he would be a better swimmer than me if I didn’t take some adult swimming lessons and I signed up for lessons.  I had a “love” for swimming and within 2 years, I made my way through all the Red Cross programs.

 

I started teaching swimming lesson at Centennial Pool in 1984.  It was early 1985 when I was expecting my second child that I could no longer teach the younger swimmers due to safety issues while being pregnant. The pool manager asked if I would help with Breakers Swim Team.  Eager to stay in the swimming loop, I started coaching with the Blue level.

 

In the 1980’s Breakers enrollment was large with 28 swimmers in Gold, 32 swimmers in Blue and White level consisted of 20 swimmers in 3 blocks of 12 weeks.  We had a coaching staff of 12+.  Each level had a main coach and a head coach to oversee all levels and attend regional meetings once a month. 

Over my 25 years with the team, I worked mainly with the Blue level for 23 years, 2 years with the Gold practices only.  From 1992-1996, I was Head Coach of the team.  In 2011, I left Breakers to help with the Lifesaving Club.  Summer of 2017, I was asked to return to Breakers with the White level and help to rebuild the lower levels back to the enrollment of the 1980’s.  At this time I also continue to teach swimming lessons and aqua fit as staff part time at Centennial Pool and help with the lifesaving team.

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I have been asked to oversee the entire White group again this season and I am looking forward to building on last season’s success and continuing to help grow the team. Although I will be concentrating on the White program I will continue to be involved with the Junior Blue group as well.

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone in September!

Breakers Swim Team

Port Elgin, Saugeen Shores, Ontario, Canada

Website and main photography by Imageport

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