MEET YOUR COACHES
WHAT MAKES A WRASA COACH?
WRASA takes tremendous pride in our coaching staff. We believe we have cultivated one of the strongest and most dedicated coaching teams in BC Summer Swimming.
We can back up this bold claim because our coaches are also top competitors in swimming and other sports as well. They know how to coach because they know how to compete!
As you might have guessed, it's not easy to be selected as a WRASA coach.
​
In addition to being outstanding athletes, every WRASA coach brings their own impressive set of credentials. They are certified through NCCP National Coaching levels, water safety instruction, first aid and life-saving training. They've also distinguished themselves inside WRASA (such as the Senior Leadership program) or have been selected for their exceptional technical skill from many outside applicants.
​
Many WRASA coaches begin as WRASA swimmers and spend a few years in the WRASA Senior Leader Program learning to the basics of coaching, organizing and leading.
So, now, let's meet them!
MEET THE WRASA COACHES 2024
Alan Deng
Head Coach
Hey WRASA!
​
I'm super happy to be part of this 2024 season! This will be my 14th year with the club. I grew up swimming with WRASA every summer and extremely fortunate to be touched by the family atmosphere cultivated in its community. Accordingly I hope I am able to foster the same positive spirit in the club this season and in all of the following.
​
This season, as a water polo and swimming coach, I hope to help athletes develop in both swimming and water polo technically as well as develop their attitudes toward athletics. Additionally, both in my group and in the club,
I look forward to promote positive relationships between athletes and creating an environment in which positive memories can be made.
​
Outside of swimming, I have also been playing water polo for over 7 years with FVWP. When I am not by the pool, I like to play other sports, read, and play piano!
​
See you at the pool!
Sunny Yang
Assistant Head Coach
Hey WRASA!
I am super excited to be returning to the WRASA coaching staff as the Assistant Head Coach for the 2024 summer season! This year is my second as a WRASA Assistant head Coach and my tenth at the club!
My experience includes swimming competitively since I was 8, initially with PSW, before joining WRASA in 2014, volunteering as a senior leader for three years, and coaching Winter Training for the past two years. Also, I have experience coaching for the White Rock Wave Masters Swim Team.
As a large part of my life, swimming has helped me to grow as an individual and has created lifelong relationships that I greatly cherish. As a coach, my goal is to help swimmers develop a love for the sport by creating a fun environment emphasizing hard work and dedication.
Outside of swimming, I enjoy playing basketball and listening to music. In addition to English, I am also fluent in Mandarin.
See you at Sunnyside!
Andrew Qiu
Group Coach
Hey WRASA!
I look forward to meeting familiar faces and new faces this year, not as a swimmer but as a coach. This summer will be my sixth year in the club and first year joining as a coach.
I am currently studying Math, Physics, Chemistry, English and History in the partial IB program at Semiahmoo Secondary. If you have any questions about my abnormal schedule please don’t ask me as I myself have no idea how my schedule ended up like this.
Outside of swimming, my other most time consuming hobby is competitive chess. So if anyone wants to challenge me to a match, I’m always open and happy to play a game of chess. I’m also the founder of Canadian Chess Society, a chess non-profit that aims to promote this sport/game to the public so if anyone is interested, feel free to ask me more information on this!
Hana
Group Coach
Hi WRASA!
I am so excited to be a part of the WRASA Coaching Staff this summer! This is my second season as a coach but this club is where my love for swimming began in 2015. It has allowed me to branch out, which has led me to playing water polo with FVWP, which I have been doing for five years now.
Swimming and water polo have allowed me to learn so much about myself and form relationships with my team and coaches that I would never find elsewhere. My goal for this season will be to establish these relationships with some of the athletes who want to try water polo, and help them love the sport as much as I have over the years.
In addition to these sports I also enjoy playing soccer, making art, reading and traveling with my family. I love to take time to socialize with others and spend time outside. I am really optimistic about this season and I can’t wait to share my excitement with you.
See you on deck!
Olivia Lu
Group Coach
Hi everyone!
I’m so excited to be coaching this summer season! I’ve been swimming with WRASA for 11 years and this season will be my second year as a group coach.
Summer swimming has allowed me to make lots of friends and memories as well as push myself physically and mentally. It has been a part of my life for so long and I’m very happy to have been given the opportunity to share my love for swimming with my swimmers.
Outside of swimming, I enjoy photography and listening to music. I am finishing grade 11 at Grandview Heights Secondary where I play basketball and rugby. I am also a lifeguard at Grandview pool and Sunnyside so make sure to wave if you see me!
​
I hope to see all of you this summer!
Vonzelle Venter
Group Coach
Hey WRASA!
I am very excited to join the coaching staff of WRASA for the 2024 Summer Season! Although this is my second year with the club, my passion for swimming has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. My journey began with water safety lessons when I was only 4 months old, and I started competitive swimming at the age of 9, as a member of Aqua Warriors Swim Club in South Africa. Upon moving to Canada I joined the Pacific Sea Wolves.
These experiences have led me to playing water polo for Fraser Valley Water polo Club for over two years now, and during this time, I have developed a deep passion for the sport. Through my dedication and hard work, I have not only gained knowledge but have also formed lasting friendships with my teammates and coaches. When I am not at the pool, I enjoy spending my time playing other sports as well as going out with my friends and family.
My goal for this season is to help our athletes enhance their skills and develop as individuals and as a team within the sport, by encouraging hard work, creating a love for the sport, and making memories.
See you at the pool!
Paul
Group Coach
Hello WRASA,
​
I am thrilled to join WRASA for another season, and I can’t wait to work with the awesome coaches and swimmers here. I have been a competitive swimmer for the past 6 years. I have had the opportunity to work with many teams and have coached at Delta Sunfish, PSW, and in WRASA’s winter maintenance program.
Outside of swimming, I love running, hitting the gym, biathloning, and making/eating good foods. I also love reading, listening to music, and taking photos of cool things I see.
Throughout my time in the sport, I have been fortunate enough to be coached by some truly amazing and inspiring individuals. I wish to share the same passion that these amazing coaches have shared with me. This season I am looking forward to working with all the different unique swimmers and coaches here at WRASA and making this season as memorable to these swimmers as the last season has been for me!