Our Swim School Instructors & Coaches

Recommended for age range of 3+

 Areas of Experience: Intro & Development of Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort

Yasmin Ladraa is a passionate swim instructor who works with swimmers from beginners to semi-advanced levels. She occasionally assists with our Special Needs Exploratory swim team. With a background in competitive swimming, Yasmin helps swimmers improve their technique, endurance, and speed in the water. Despite her young age, she is dedicated to creating a fun and safe environment for swimmers to learn and grow, and is committed to helping each swimmer reach their full potential.

Recommended for age range of 3+

Areas of Experience: Intro to Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort

Rebecca is a highly passionate swim instructor who has been teaching swimmers from novice to semi-advanced levels for the past few years. She also gained valuable experience as an assistant coach for one year, building on her background in competitive swimming. Despite her young age, Rebecca has successfully aided swimmers in enhancing their technique, endurance, and speed in the water. Committed to fostering an enjoyable and secure atmosphere for swimmers to develop, Rebecca is devoted to assisting each individual in reaching their maximum potential.

Recommended for age range of 3+

Areas of Experience: Intro to Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort

Larbi is an experienced and dedicated swim instructor at Trident Swim School. Known for helping children become confident, independent swimmers, he creates a fun and supportive environment where young swimmers can build essential skills. Larbi excels at guiding beginners through the fundamentals of swimming and gradually preparing them for our pre-competitive swim teams, where their swim team journey begins!

Carter Green

cgreen@tridentaquaticclub.com

Recommended for age range of 3+

 Areas of Experience: Intro to Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort

Deniz is a current competitive swimmer with Trident Aquatic Club who shares his skills through in-water lessons. As a successful swimmer himself, he demonstrates and teaches proper stroke technique while swimming alongside his students. Deniz specializes in working with independent swimmers who want to improve their form, build endurance, or prepare for our Trident swim team. His hands-on approach and recent competitive swimming experience make him an engaging instructor for swimmers looking to advance their skills in the water.

Recommended for age range of 3+

Areas of Experience:  Intro & Development of Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort



Dillon is a talented competitive swimmer at Trident Aquatic Club who will soon continue his swimming career at Providence College, a Division I program. Having been in the water nearly his entire life, Dillon excels at in-water instruction where he can directly demonstrate proper technique to his students. With three years of teaching experience, he specializes in introducing and developing fundamental stroke mechanics through hands-on guidance. Despite his advanced competitive background as a Sectional and Futures qualifier, Dillon has a gift for breaking down complex swimming skills into simple, accessible lessons for beginners and developing swimmers. His patience and technical knowledge make him an excellent instructor for those building their foundational swimming skills.

Recommended for age range of 3+

Areas of Experience: Intro to Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort



Jack is a dedicated competitive swimmer at Trident Aquatic Club who brings his passion for the sport to his in-water instruction. Set to graduate this year, Jack has developed a strong technical foundation through years of competitive swimming experience. He specializes in teaching foundational stroke mechanics through hands-on, in-water demonstrations where swimmers can observe proper technique up close. Jack's recent experience navigating the competitive swimming world makes him especially relatable to young swimmers just beginning their journey. His patient approach and ability to break down complex movements into simple steps help new swimmers build confidence and develop correct form from the start. Jack's enthusiasm for swimming is contagious, making lessons both educational and enjoyable for his students.

John Kapp

Recommended for age range of 3+

 Areas of Experience: Intro & Development of Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort

Shamiya brings a wealth of competitive swimming experience and instructional expertise to our swim school this season. A lifelong swimmer, she developed her skills as a member of the Trident swim team before advancing to compete at the Division I level on Wagner College's women's swimming team, where she earned her degree.

With several years of teaching experience, Shamiya has established herself as an accomplished swim instructor who excels at working with swimmers of all levels. Her competitive background provides her with deep technical knowledge of stroke mechanics and proper technique, while her teaching experience has honed her ability to communicate effectively with students and help them progress.

Shamiya's combination of elite competitive experience and proven instructional skills makes her an excellent addition to our team. She brings both the technical expertise of a Division I athlete and the patience and teaching ability that comes from years of successful instruction. We're excited to have her join us this season and share her passion for swimming with our students.

Recommended for age range of 3+

Areas of Experience: Intro to Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort

Andrew is a dedicated swim instructor with over five years of competitive swimming experience and four years of instructing experience at multiple facilities throughout Staten Island. He graduated from Wagner College, earning a bachelor's degree. He specializes in working with beginner swimmers, helping them develop fundamental skills and build confidence in the water.

Recommended for age range of 3+

 Areas of Experience: Intro & Development of Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort

Hailey brings over five years of swim instruction experience and a lifetime of competitive swimming excellence to our program. Having started her swimming journey as a child, she spent years developing her skills with the Trident swim team beginning at age ten, building the foundation for what would become an impressive competitive career.

Now competing at the Division I level for Loyola University Maryland, Hailey has achieved remarkable success as an A finalist and multiple relay champion, setting league records along the way. Her elite competitive experience, combined with her certified swim instructor credentials and role as a coach for the Great Kills Swim Club team, gives her a unique perspective on both the technical and teaching aspects of swimming.

Hailey's extensive background allows her to work effectively with swimmers at every level, from nervous beginners to competitive athletes. Her years of experience both in the pool and on deck have taught her how to break down complex techniques into manageable steps while keeping lessons engaging and fun. We're thrilled to have her back for the summer, bringing her passion for swimming and proven teaching abilities to our students.

Recommended for age range of 3+

Areas of Experience: Intro to Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort

Michael has been swimming with Trident Aquatic Club for 7 years, evolving from dedicated athlete to insightful in-water instructor. Specializing in hands-on guidance, Michael brings personal competitive experience directly into the pool with his students. His approach combines technical expertise with genuine encouragement, creating an immersive learning environment where young swimmers build confidence through direct support. Michael's years at Trident have shaped his commitment to excellence, which he now channels into each lesson. As a constant presence in the water alongside your child, he provides real-time instruction and immediate feedback that accelerates progress and deepens their connection to swimming.

Recommended for age range of 6+

 Areas of Experience: Stroke Technique & Refinement / Building Swimming Stamina / Deep Water Confidence / Out-of-Water Instruction & Demonstration

Andrew is a dedicated swim instructor with a strong competitive swimming background. Swimming competitively since age 10, Andrew now represents Adelphi University's D2 swim team, bringing collegiate-level expertise to his teaching. He creates an encouraging learning environment where swimmers build confidence while developing improved efficiency. Andrew's passion for the sport and patient teaching approach help students progress quickly while enjoying their swimming journey.

Recommended for age range of 6+

 Areas of Experience: Stroke Refinement & Technical Development / Competitive Stroke Foundations / Building Endurance & Swimming Efficiency / Advanced Water Skills & Confidence



Samuel has been competitively swimming since the age of eight, developing his talents through years of dedicated training. His competitive career included successful seasons that contributed to team championships. Now studying at the University of Florida, Samuel brings his extensive swimming experience to his teaching approach. He focuses on developing and perfecting stroke technique while building up endurance. Samuel teaches athletes how to set long-term and short-term goals and strive for their achievement. His technical knowledge and goal-oriented approach make him an inspiring instructor who brings out the best in his swimmers.

Recommended for age range of 6+

 Areas of Experience: Stroke Technique & Competitive Development / Foundations for Competitive Swimming / Advanced Stroke Mechanics / Swimmer Progression Pathways / Technical Skill Building

Coach Emily is a dedicated swim instructor with nearly 5 years of teaching experience and a USA Swimming coach for Trident Aquatic Club. She brings extensive coaching credentials as she also works with a private high school team and Richmond County Club. Her diverse coaching background spans multiple age groups and skill levels, giving her unique insight into swimmer development. Emily specializes in building strong technical foundations that prepare swimmers for more competitive levels. Her expertise in developing proper stroke mechanics creates a seamless pathway from recreational to competitive swimming. With experience coaching children of all ages, Emily excels at adapting her teaching approach to meet each swimmer's needs while maintaining high technical standards. Her patient method and commitment to proper technique help swimmers build confidence and proficiency, whether their goals are recreational improvement or competitive advancement.

Recommended for age range of 6+

Areas of Experience: Advanced Stroke Mechanics & Refinement / Distance Swimming Technique / Competitive Swimming Preparation / Endurance Development / Racing Strategy / Technical Efficiency Training

Coach Ruben is an elite competitive swimmer and captain of the Wagner College Swim team, bringing international-level expertise to Trident Aquatic Club. His impressive career includes national podium finishes in his home country of Spain and D1 conference championships in the 500 and 1650 freestyle events. As a USA Swimming coach, Ruben combines his personal competitive success with technical teaching skills to transform swimmers' techniques. His specialized knowledge of distance events gives him unique insight into building both technical efficiency and endurance—critical skills for advancing swimmers. Ruben's international background offers students a global perspective on swimming techniques, while his leadership as a college team captain demonstrates his ability to motivate and inspire. His passion for stroke refinement and technical excellence creates an engaging learning environment where swimmers quickly develop proper mechanics and competitive edge.

Recommended for age range of 6+

Areas of Experience: Stroke Technique & Refinement / Positive Learning Environment Creation / Age-Appropriate Skill Building / Progressive Swimming Development / Child-Centered Teaching Approach / Technical Foundations

Coach Katarina brings enthusiasm and technical expertise to her role at Trident Aquatic Club's swim school. With a competitive swimming background dating back to age 10, she understands the progression from beginner to advanced swimmer. Currently pursuing her education degree while swimming for CSI, Katarina combines her academic knowledge of child development with practical swimming instruction. Her four years of teaching experience have given her the ability to break down complex techniques into age-appropriate steps that young swimmers can master confidently. Katarina creates a positive, engaging learning environment where students feel supported as they challenge themselves to new skills. Her patient approach and genuine love for working with children make the learning process enjoyable while maintaining high technical standards. Students respond well to her encouraging teaching style as they develop proper form and increased water confidence.

Recommended for age range of 6+

 Areas of Experience:  Technical Stroke Development / Endurance Training / Competitive Swimming Preparation / Progressive Skill Building / Performance Enhancement

Coach James  is a technically proficient swimmer who brings valuable coaching experience to Trident Aquatic Club. Having been in the sport for 7 years, he has developed a strong understanding of proper swimming mechanics and training principles. James has been coaching with Trident for two years, where he has demonstrated an ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to swimmers of various levels. His background includes serving as captain of St. Peter's Boys swim team, where he led the squad to championship victories and city-level competition success. As a current member of College of Staten Island's swim team, James applies his ongoing competitive experience to his coaching approach. With 3 years of swim instruction experience, he specializes in technique development and endurance building—key skills for advancing swimmers. His structured coaching approach and technical focus help swimmers improve their form while building the stamina needed for continued progress.

Recommended for age range of 6+

 Areas of Experience:  Basic Stroke Development / Swim Skill Progression / Technical Swimming Instruction / Structured Training Approach / Mechanical Skill Building

Coach William brings several years of swimming experience to Trident Aquatic Club's swim school program. Having swum since age 6, he has developed an understanding of stroke mechanics and technique fundamentals. Currently swimming for CSI, William maintains an active connection to the sport. He has previous experience teaching the "learn to swim" program for 2 years and served as an assistant coach for 1 year, working with swimmers of various ability levels. William's teaching approach emphasizes technical correctness and structured skill development. He provides clear, direct instruction focused on proper form and efficient movement in the water. His structured teaching method helps swimmers understand the mechanics behind each stroke and build a foundation of aquatic skills in a focused learning environment.

Recommended for age range of 6+

Areas of Experience: Level 3-4 Swimmers / Refining stroke technique

Manuel  is a member of the Wagner College Swim team with a competitive swimming background from Mexico. His swimming experience includes participation in national events in his home country and collegiate competition at the D1 conference level. Manuel has developed technical knowledge through his years of training and competition. He works with swimmers on refining stroke mechanics and building endurance for longer events. Manuel's competitive background gives him familiarity with proper technique and training approaches for advancing swimmers.

Recommended for age range of 3+

 Areas of Experience:  Adaptive Aquatics for Diverse Abilities / Infant & Toddler Water Acclimatization / Fundamental Stroke Technique Development / Water Confidence & Safety Development

Coach Tara is the Head Coordinator of our Adaptive Swim School Program, bringing 15+ years of swimming experience and specialized adaptive aquatics expertise to Trident Aquatic Club. Certified as an Adaptive Swimming Whisperer through Swim Angelfish, she holds a bachelor's degree in Special Education and History from Mount Saint Mary College and is pursuing her master's in Special Education. Tara's academic background perfectly complements her coaching philosophy, which centers on understanding each athlete's unique needs and tailoring instruction accordingly.

With 7+ years of instructional swim experience and 4+ years coaching competitive swimmers, including 2+ years as head coach for 12 and under swimmers at Newburgh Sharks, Coach Tara excels at creating inclusive swimming environments where everyone can thrive. Her combined background in education and adaptive swimming enables her to develop effective, personalized approaches for swimmers of all abilities, ages, and skill levels.

Recommended for age range of 3+

 Areas of Experience:  Adaptive Communication Techniques / Speech and Motor Skill Coordination / Sensory-Friendly Instruction / Developmental Swimming Progression / Positive Learning Environment Creation

Coach Kara has been swimming since she was three years old, with deep roots in the local aquatic community as a Wagner Aquatic Club alumni trained by Coach Bartleson. Her extensive experience coaching and instructing swimmers of all ages and abilities is enhanced by her professional background as a speech language pathologist, giving her unique insights into communication and learning differences.

Kara excels in adaptive swim instruction, creating personalized approaches that address individual needs while making the learning process engaging and enjoyable. Her dual expertise in both swimming instruction and speech therapy allows her to develop effective communication strategies for swimmers with diverse learning styles. Kara's patient, attentive teaching style and understanding of developmental progression make her particularly effective with adaptive swimmers. Her focus on proper stroke technique/alignment combined with her commitment to making swimming fun creates an inclusive, successful learning environment where all swimmers can thrive.

Recommended for age range of 3+

Areas of Experience: Level 3-4 Swimmers / Refining stroke technique

Coach Elise brings a wealth of swimming expertise and a natural teaching ability to Trident Aquatic Club. With 10 years of competitive swimming experience from her roots in upstate New York to her current position on Wagner College's Division 1 swimming and diving team, Elise combines high-level technical knowledge with a genuine passion for teaching.

What truly sets Elise apart is her exceptional patience and intuitive understanding of diverse learning needs. She has a remarkable ability to connect with swimmers of all abilities, creating customized approaches that help each student succeed. Elise excels in both adaptive and traditional instruction, adapting her teaching methods to meet each swimmer where they are. Her calm, encouraging demeanor creates a supportive environment where swimmers feel comfortable challenging themselves.

As an experienced swim instructor who has worked extensively with special needs swimmers, Elise understands how to break down complex skills into manageable steps while maintaining a fun, positive atmosphere. Her natural rapport with children and genuine enthusiasm for their progress makes her a favorite instructor among swimmers of all ages and abilities at Trident Aquatic Club.