Coaches

Rick Whitson

Coach: Interim Head Coach / National Prep Squad / Senior Squad

I entered competitive swimming at age 7 in Knoxville, Tennessee. I set three (3) Southeastern AAU records as a 10 & under swimmer in butterfly and freestyle. In my senior age group years (age 14 and up), I specialized in IM, BK and FR. I was the high school boys captain in my senior (12th grade) year. I swam one full year at Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond, Kentucky). Following a spinal cord injury in 1984 (age 19), I have competed as a disabled swimmer, most recently in the 2004 US Paralympic Trials.
My coaching resume includes the following:

My accomplishments as a coach include:

My accreditations:

I am married to Krista Meyers, a native of Regina. Krista and I have one daughter, Annabelle Rose Meyers-Whitson. Annabelle was born August 5, 2007, in Banff, Alberta. I am very excited to be a member of the ROD coaching staff and look forward to good times and fast swimming!

Jen Robinson

Coach: Assistant Age Group Coach – Age Group Performance Squad

Coach Jen has been involved in Summer Swimming for over 30 years. Jennifer started swimming as a member of the Camrose Sea Serpents swimming with the team for 10 years. She joined the coaching staff first, as an Assistant Coach, and then as the Head Coach for the Sea Serpents. She has enjoyed other coaching opportunities as Head Coach for the Royal Glenora Gators and as an Assistant Coach of the Slave Lake Sharks.

Jennifer joined the RPSSC Coaching staff in 2006 and has served as the Head Coach of the Club 2007 - 2008. Jennifer’s passion for swimming has been enriched through her involvement with the Regina Optimist Dolphins Swim Club as she returns to coach the Age Group Development program. Outside of the pool, Jennifer is the Coordinator of Volunteer Services Acute Care Programming – for the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region. Coach Jen wishes all RODS swimmers the best swimming success this 2009-2010 swim season.

Kelsey Conway

Coach: Age Group Development Squad

This is Kelsey's first season with the RODS and she is very excited to have the opportunity to work with such a great organization.   Kelsey swam for ten years (majority of that time with the Saskatoon Goldfins) and is entering her third year at the University of Regina, pursuing her degree in Education.   Kelsey was the Assistant Head Coach with the Regina Piranhas Summer Swimming Club for the 2009 summer swim season.   Kelsey wants each swimmer to pursue their goals, remain dedicated and work hard for maximum success.

John Barden

Coach: Gold Squad

Dr. John Barden is a fully certified NCCP Level II Coach with more than 30 years of experience in competitive swimming. He is a former competitive swimmer (Gloucester-Ottawa Kingfish Swim Club, Nepean Swim Club, University of Guelph and University of Ottawa Swim Teams) who has been coaching for 20 years, including positions with the University of Ottawa and University of Alberta CIS programs, and the Regina Optimist Dolphin Swim Club from 1995 to 1997. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Swim Saskatchewan as the Director of High Performance and is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina. He teaches courses in biomechanics, motor learning and growth and development and his research interests include shoulder instability, swimming mechanics, gait analysis and the neural control of upper extremity movement.

Nick Peebles

Coach: Silver Squad

Nicholas began swimming lessons when he was 9 months old. It took him 11 more years before he joined the Regina Optimist Dolphins Swim Club, first in their junior dolphins program and then onto the competitive program where he swan with the RODS for 5 years. In the fall of 2008, Nicholas found himself back in the junior dolphins program, this time as a coach.   Nicholas will be entering Grade 12 this year at Campbell. In his spare time, he is taking scuba diving lessons. Currently, Nicholas' interests for after Grade 12 are focused on Marine Biology. Nicholas is looking forward to being part of the Competitive Program.      

Susan Hadubiak

Coordinator Jr Dolphins and Team Manager

My swimming experience was with the City of Saskatoon as an instructor and lifeguard. I was not a competitive speed swimmer although I “dove in” when my children joined summer speed swimming ten years ago. I quickly got involved and have served in various capacities on both the board level and as a speed swimming official. I have also been a team manager and tournament chair for minor hockey tournaments as well as on the tournament committee of two major tournaments here in Regina.

I am excited about taking all that I have learned in summer swimming and minor hockey in a new direction. I am really looking forward to this new challenge, to being part of the RODS Swim Club and getting to know everyone.