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Marek Poplawski
Kodiaks & Silvertips
Marek comes to the Yukon from the Duncan Stingrays and has an impressive variety of coaching experience in locations ranging from Poland to Iceland to British Columbia. He brings with him international coaching experience and has worked with swimmers ranging in age from 7 to 20.
As a former national youth champion in Poland and long time coach, Marek is very familiar with what it takes to achieve your potential as an athlete and says that the key to success in swimming is consistency.
He emphasizes technique as an important component of developing a successful competitive swimmer. "Imperfect technique or improper strokes, will limit your progress a great deal, so make sure that you remember stroke corrections and try to make it into a new habit. To make it happen, you have to try it in every workout."
Kathryn Zrum
Polar Bears
Kathy started volunteering with the Glacier Bears approximately 8 years ago when her oldest son, Brendan, joined the club. She has a strong aquatic background from running pools in the Yukon in Pelly Crossing and Watson Lake plus assisting in Beaver Creek and she got involved in the club as an assistant coach.
She started at the Cubs level and progressed to the Junior Development level, until her younger son, Jason, got involved. At this point she decided to take the Level 2 Technical course to help her improve her skills and knowledge.
For fun she also works with Swim Yukon and has attended the 2001 Canada Summer Games as Mission Staff. On the side she also facilitates the NCCP Coaching Theory courses.
Kathy's goals for swimming are to see the swimmers work to their potential, improve their swimming abilities while having some fun.
Olwyn Bruce
Black Bears
Olwyn has been involved in swim clubs as both a coach and a competitor for 30 years. She has been part of the coaching staff of several age group, Masters and Special Olympics teams in British Columbia. As a competitor, she has been a member in clubs in British Columbia, New Zealand and the United States. Her highlights include becoming an 8-time All-American (NCAA Division II), a national and age group champion (New Zealand and Australia) and a provincial age group champion (British Columbia).
Her goals as a Black Bear coach include emphasis on competitive stroke and skills (starts & turns) development, with a solid dose of fun.
Mike Francis
Cubs 1
Vanessa Brault
Cubs 2
Kelly Patrick
Teddy Bears