2025 Head Coach
Max Kruger (Black and Silver Groups)
Coach Max has over a decade of involvement in competitive swimming, including as a former Piranhas swimmer and coach and Cochrane Masters Coach.
Max holds the Fundamentals Coaching (Level 1) certification and is actively pursuing the Age Group Coaching (Level 2) certification. Having served as a coach with the Piranhas for the past four summer seasons, Max has been working with swimmers of various ages and skill levels. During his time as a Piranhas assistant coach, Max was part of a strong coaching team that designed and implemented effective practice plans which helped the club win the Provincial Medium Team Banner in 2 of those 3 years.
Max's coaching philosophy focuses on fostering a positive, inclusive environment where swimmers can grow both in skill and confidence. His coaching experience is further enriched by his current studies in Education, where he is developing teaching strategies directly applicable to coaching, particularly in communication, classroom management, and mentorship.
2025 Squad Coaches
Jill Lavis (Orange Group)
Coach Jill joins the Piranhas Coaching team for her first summer season. Jill is a certified NCCP Fundamentals and Age Group Swimming Coach. She is currently in her 6th season as Swim Coach for the Cochrane Sparks Triathlon Club. Prior to coaching Sparks, Jill coached the pre-competitive group for the Nose Creek Swim Association.
Jill started swimming competitively at the age of 4 and she competed with both summer and year round swim clubs, as well as with Masters. Swimming is her passion in life and her love of coaching grows with every season. Jill is a firm believer that teaching her swimmers the correct technique is vital and watching her swimmers improve and/or learn a new skill is most exhilarating.
Jill's coaching philosophy is centered around her ability to connect with each of her swimmers on a personal level. She takes the time to understand their individual strengths, weaknesses, and goals, and she tailors her coaching to meet their specific needs. This personalized approach not only helps her swimmers improve but also fosters a sense of trust and respect between coach and swimmer.
Dax Blackwood (Red Group)
We welcome Dax Blackwood as the Red Group coach. He has been passionate about swimming and human sciences for the majority of his childhood. He had the opportunity to coach Little Starts with the Comets and he currently works as a lifeguard at SLS. Dax loves helping swimmers build confidence and skill in the water. Dax’s loves to create a supportive, fun environment where swimmers can grow at their own pace.
When he is not on the pool deck, you’ll probably find him reading, playing piano, or spending time in the garden exploring his love for botany. Dax is excited to be part of the Coaching team and he looks forward to seeing the Piranhas swimmers thrive!
Junior Coaches