Our Swim School Instructors & Coaches
At Trident Aquatic Club, our team of professional instructors and coaches forms the backbone of our swimming programs. We offer two complementary tracks of expertise:
Swim School Instructors
Our swim school instructors specialize in teaching foundational swimming skills to beginners and recreational swimmers of all ages. Each instructor is carefully selected for their teaching ability, patience, and passion for water safety. They create a supportive environment where students can build confidence and develop proper swimming techniques at their own pace.
USA Swimming Coaches
Our USA Swimming certified coaches lead our competitive swim program, bringing extensive experience in competitive swimming and advanced training methodologies. These coaches work with swimmers looking to advance their skills, improve performance, and compete at local, regional, and national levels. They provide specialized coaching in stroke refinement, race strategies, and athletic development.
All our instructors and coaches are certified in water safety, CPR, and first aid. Many are former competitive swimmers themselves, understanding firsthand what it takes to excel in the water. With our low student-to-instructor ratio, every swimmer receives the personalized attention needed to reach their full potential.
From teaching water safety basics to coaching elite competitive techniques, our dedicated team is committed to helping each swimmer achieve their goals and develop a lifelong love of swimming.
swim school instructors
Levels 1-2 (Water Discovery and Exploration)
At Trident Aquatic Club, our swim school instructors are the heart of our program. Each instructor is carefully selected for their swimming expertise, teaching ability, and passion for working with swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Yasmin Ladraa
Recommended for age range of 3+
Areas of Experience: Intro & Development of Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort/Adaptive Swim Instruction
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.
Rebecca Hoffler
Recommended for age range of 3+
Areas of Experience: Intro to Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort/Adaptive Swim Instruction
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.
Larbi Ladraa
Recommended for age range of 3+
Areas of Experience: Intro to Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort/Adaptive Swim Instruction
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!
Mikaela Litovskiy
Recommended for ages 3+
Areas of Experience: Introduction & Development of Basic Strokes / Pool Comfort & Confidence / Adaptive Swim Instruction
Mika is a passionate swim instructor currently pursuing her nursing degree with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. A Staten Island native, Mika began her competitive swimming journey at age 8 and swam through age 17, building nearly a decade of experience in the sport. Her years in competitive swimming gave her a deep understanding of water safety, stroke development, and what it takes to build a strong foundation in the pool. Mika also specializes in adaptive swim instruction, bringing patience, sensitivity, and a tailored approach to swimmers with varying needs and abilities. Now bringing all of that knowledge to her teaching, Mika has a natural ability to connect with young swimmers and create a safe, encouraging environment where every child — regardless of ability — gains confidence and develops a genuine love for the water. Her caring, nurturing approach and firsthand experience as a competitive swimmer make her an excellent fit for our youngest and most diverse learners taking their very first strokes.
seasonal swim school instructors
Levels 1-2 (Water Discovery and Exploration)
Our seasonal instructors are talented college swimmers who return home during winter and summer breaks to share their passion for swimming with our youngest learners. These dedicated athletes bring fresh energy and enthusiasm to our Level 1-2 programs, specializing in water discovery and exploration for beginners.
Hailey Robinson
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.
Dillon Singer
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.
Marianna Mikheyeva
Recommended for age range of 3+
Areas of Experience: Intro to Basic Strokes / Pool confidence and comfort
Marianna is a dedicated competitive Trident swimmer whose enthusiasm for the water is contagious. Back for the summer season, she specializes in transforming beginners and intermediate swimmers aged 6 and up into confident aquatic athletes. With her trademark patience and energetic teaching style, Marianna has built a reputation for creating lessons that are both technically sound and genuinely fun. Students at Trident Swim School look forward to her return each year, knowing they'll experience empowering progress in a supportive environment where every achievement—big or small—is celebrated.
usa swimming coaches
Levels 3-4 (Stroke Refinement and Development)
At Trident Aquatic Club, our USA Swimming coaches bring competitive expertise to our Levels 3-4 program. These certified coaches specialize in refining stroke techniques, building endurance, and preparing swimmers for competitive swimming. Each coach combines technical knowledge with individualized attention to help swimmers progress from basic skills to advanced swimming proficiency.
Sammi Chan
schan@tridentaquaticclub.com
Recommended for ages 6+
Areas of Experience: Pre-Developmental Training / Team Prep & Competitive Readiness / Stroke Technique & Refinement / Pre-Competitive Skill Building / Swimmer Progression Pathways / Technical Foundations
Coach Sammi is a dedicated swim instructor and USA Swimming Certified Coach with many years of experience in aquatics instruction. Now in her second year at Trident Aquatic Club, where she also serves as Swim School Director and Team Administrator, Sammi specializes in pre-developmental and team prep training, focusing on building the technical foundation and competitive readiness that young swimmers need to successfully transition to the next level. As the coach of our pre-competitive groups, Sammi has a keen ability to identify each swimmer's strengths and areas for growth, tailoring her approach to maximize progression. Her credentials as a USA Swimming National Level 2 Official — Stroke & Turn, Starter, and Referee certified — along with NCAA and NFHS officiating credentials, give her an exceptional understanding of competitive swimming standards that she brings directly into her teaching. With a background in Business Management and a trilingual ability to communicate in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, Sammi creates an inclusive, structured, and high-standard learning environment where every swimmer is set up for success — in the pool and beyond.
Emily Su
esu@tridentaquaticclub.com
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 6 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. A true testament to her teaching, many of the beginner swimmers she has worked with have gone on to join Trident's competitive team — a reflection of her ability to inspire and develop swimmers from their very first strokes to competitive success.
Katarina Tsirlin
ktsirlin@tridentaquaticclub.com
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.
James Curran
jcurran@tridentaquaticclub.com
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 three 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 4 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.
William Kwan
wkwan@tridentaquticclub.com
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.
Corey Su
Coreysu1019@gmail.com
Recommended for ages 8+
Areas of Experience: Stroke Refinement & Technical Development / Competitive Stroke Foundations / Building Endurance & Swimming Efficiency / Advanced Water Skills & Confidence / Racing Starts, Turns & Finishes / Competitive Diving Techniques
Coach Corey is an exceptional swim instructor and USA Swimming Coach with an outstanding competitive swimming background. As a former club team captain in New Jersey and current D1 collegiate athlete, he brings elite technical expertise and firsthand competitive experience to every lesson. Over the past four years, Corey has dedicated himself to teaching and mastering technique refinement — and it shows. Most recently, he served as a coach for Interclub Richmond County, where countless swimmers benefited from his sharp eye, patience, and ability to break down complex techniques into achievable steps. His professional knowledge of competitive swimming standards, training methods, and race strategy allows him to create individualized pathways for continuous improvement at every level. Whether perfecting stroke mechanics, dives, or turns, Corey has a proven ability to transform good swimmers into great ones — and his athletes' results speak for themselves.
Adaptive swim instructors
Levels 1-4 (All Swimming Levels)
At Trident Aquatic Club, our adaptive swim instructors are specially trained to work with swimmers of diverse abilities and needs. These dedicated professionals combine coaching expertise with adaptive teaching methods to create individualized swimming experiences. Our adaptive program follows the same skill progression as our standard program but allows for customized pacing, modified techniques, and specialized support to ensure each swimmer can succeed. We focus on building water confidence, safety skills, and proper technique in a positive, supportive environment where every achievement is celebrated.
Tara Curran
tcurran@tridentaquaticclub.com
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.
John Kapp
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
John is a lifeguard and current member of the CSI Division II swim team with a lifelong passion for swimming. He specializes in teaching fundamental water skills to young swimmers, focusing on water safety, basic breathing techniques, and building comfort in the pool.
With his background as a lifeguard and competitive swimmer, John creates a safe and supportive environment for children learning essential swimming basics. John is an adaptive instructor and he brings specialized skills to work with swimmers of all abilities. The past year, John gained valuable experience working with special needs swimmers, developing his expertise in creating individualized approaches that meet each swimmer's unique requirements.
John's patient approach, genuine enthusiasm for swimming, and newly acquired adaptive instruction skills make him exceptionally well-suited for teaching young athletes the fundamentals they need to succeed in the water. His experience with diverse learning needs allows him to adapt his teaching methods to ensure every swimmer can progress confidently and safely.
Elise Johnson
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 CreationLevel 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.
