About
The Pacific Swim Academy is a Vancouver-based school committed to providing professional yet personable coaching for existing and aspiring competitive swimmers.
Founded in 2014 by professional coach and dad, the Academy started as a family program dedicated to helping his three children get quality coaching and to help them develop as athletes and people.
The program has grown significantly over the last seven years, taking on a greater mandate – operating in the city of Vancouver but serving children and families from as far away as Richmond, Coquitlam, North Delta, Langley, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Squamish, Tsawwassen, and Bellingham. The Academy aspires to be a centre for education and excellence, open to all children, coaches and teams seeking to learn. More than that though, it’s a community of like minded families seeking a supportive environment for their children to learn from and grow.
Philosophy
The Pacific Swim Academy caters to families and young swimmers serious about improving swimming technique and learning important life skills. It operates as a community of families, committed to developing character through competitive aquatic sports.
We believe children learn better if they swim “purposefully” and “consciously”; if they are coached by people with experience and by those who care. We are committed to deliver both the quality and quantity of instruction necessary to learn. We believe in the power of compliments and encouragement. We believe champions of all kinds (coaches, swimmers, parents) are made and not born. We believe that attitude is key – and that all children can be successful, if they set personal goals and apply themselves fully toward achieving them. We believe parents are a child’s primary and most important educators. We believe our children deserve our best.
Swimmers, coaches, families should leave the academy more knowledgeable and more empowered – better equipped to thrive in any situation.
Coaching
The Academy coaching staff has decades of competitive and coaching experience at all levels, from Olympic swimmers and record setters to the youngest of new swimmers.
Our senior coaches are either parent-coaches or experienced professional coaches with a love for aquatic sports and a joy for coaching. They choose to invest their time, knowledge and experiences into the next generation of swimmers and coaches. They have a vested interest in the program since their children also participate.
We believe great coaches, like great swimmers, take years to develop and are continuously learning. They don’t spontaneously transform into great coaches at the end of their swimming careers. We are committed to walking along side anyone seeking to refine their coaching skills and, in particular, swimmers seeking to transition toward this goal.
Our Coaches
Phil Skinder
Head Coach and Founder
Phil Skinder has been a competitive swimmer and/or coach for over 30 years. He has a BSc in Biochemistry, an MA in Education (exercise physiology) is a graduate of the National Coaching Institute (NCCP Level 4) and a member of the Canadian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (CSCTA). He has coached every level from “Learn to Swim” to “University”, both in “Summer” and “Winter” swimming. His swimmers have gone on to compete nationally and internationally at all levels and as far as the Olympics.
Shannon Bell
SENIOR Coach
With a notable track record in competitive Swimming, Lifesaving Sport, and Stand Up Paddleboarding, Shannon is renowned for being a top-tier athlete in Vancouver. She won the first two medals (SUP and Prone Paddling) for Canada at the International Surfing Association World Championships in 2013 and is a former Canadian Champion.
She is also the current Canadian silver medalist in the technical SUP race at the Nationals 2019.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Science Degree (Kinesiology and Leisure Science (Physical Education), Water Safety Instructor, Stand Up paddleboard instructor, Lifesaving Sport Coach, National Lifeguard Pool and Beach.
For information about private stand up paddleboard lessons with Shannon, check out her website.
Anita Chevalier
SENIOR Coach
Anita is a former member of both the National Swimming and Lifesaving teams. She won a scholarship at Southern Methodist University where she earned NCAA Div I All-American honors, with a top 4 finish at the NCAA championships. Anita has also been a technical advisor for the National Lifesaving Team and coached both junior and senior national teams at the international level. She is a big believer in swimming smarter, not harder.
Sydney Lyons
STRENGTH Coach
Coach Syd is a practicing member of the British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists (BCAK) and is motivated to help the PSA/PLC community stay active and strong - physically and mentally! She enjoys sharing her knowledge in strength & conditioning to help the athletes achieve their goals and empower them to gain confidence in their abilities. Coach Syd is noted for her passion and enthusiasm.
Emmy Obedkoff
SENIOR Coach
Emmy joined competitive swimming in 1999 and quickly developed a passion for the sport. She specialized in breaststroke and swam for fifteen years in both summer and winter clubs before transitioning into the coaching world. Over the last ten years she has coached many different clubs around Kelowna and the lower mainland, but most recently spent the last five years as Head Coach of the Richmond Kigoos Summer Swim Club before beginning her winter coaching career with Chena Swim Club. Emmy is a certified NCCP level 1 coach and holds a degree in psychology from UBC. Emmy is very excited to return for her fourth year with PSA and share her knowledge and love of swimming with others.
Emmy strongly believes that all swimmers thrive when they develop a positive relationship with their coach and teammates and she strives to make connections and motivate each swimmer to achieve their best through the delivery of technical feedback and encouragement. Emmy feels as though her coaching philosophy is in line with PSA’s core values and that the academy has helped to shape her into the coach she is today. Emmy hopes to add to the positive PSA environment and hearten a lifelong love for the sport of swimming amongst all members!
Buzz Mallender
SENIOR Coach
Coach Buzz has been a long time competitive swimmer since the age of 5 and throughout his career has competed at the university and national level. In his last year swimming with the University of Victoria Vikes, Buzz held 4 individual UVic records (50bk SC/LC, 100BK SC/LC) and 3 Relay UVic records (4x100IM, 4x100 FR, 4x200 FR)! Buzz Graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc in Kinesiology and has his National Lifeguard certification. After competitive swimming, Buzz changed his passion to coaching and helping the future generations of swimmers achieve their goals. Over the past 6 years, He has been coaching with the NSWC Marlins both as an Assistant Coach and Head Coach. Buzz’s Love for swimming, enthusiasm and vast knowledge of the sport helps him bring out the best in every swimmer.
Fun Facts:
Buzz’s all-time favourite snack is a banana! You’ll never see him at morning practice without one!
Coach Phil Was one of Buzz’s first-ever swim coaches at the NSWC Marlins!
