Matt Pedersen

Head Coach
Senior and Junior

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

Matt is the Head Coach of the Sackville Waves Aquatic Team. Hailing from Waterloo, Ontario he enjoyed a humble swimming career with the Region of Waterloo (ROW) swim club and Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) Golden Hawks Varsity Swim Team. While at WLU he began his coaching career with ROW at the grassroots level. This began a 15 plus year coaching career working with Fundamentals, Age Group, and University swimmers with ROW and WLU. After completing his undergrad he taught ESL in Republic of Korea then returned to Southwestern Ontario to complete his B.Ed from Western University in London, Ontario. He will be Completing the NCCP Level 3 Coaching Certification this year.

Matt had the opportunity to take Kitchener-Waterloo based swimmers to the International Children’s Games in 2009 (San Fransisco, USA) and 2015 (Alkmaar, Ned), as well as the staff for the COVID cancelled 2020 team to Kaunas, Lithuania.

Matt believes that coaches give the athletes the tools to be better than yesterday. Everyone’s success is in their own hands and there is pride and responsibility in improvement and performance, for each individual and their teammates. The athletes are the artists of their own success. He is looking forward to mentoring a young coaching staff and building the passion for coaching and swimming within the staff and club. Matt is looking forward to what everyone is looking to build and achieve in this new SWAT swimming season!

Elyse Daniels Novice - Miniwaves

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

My name is Elyse and I will be the Novice Assistant Coach and a Mini Waves Coach for the
season. I’ve been competitive swimming for the past four years, and I love competing in
freestyle, breaststroke, and individual medley events. Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to
coach the Masters swimming at the Stadium and I also volunteered as a coach for the Mini
Waves. I am NCCP Community Coach-Trained and I am a NCCP Fundamentals Coach-In
Training. I’m also a certified lifeguard and swim instructor.
Currently, I'm in grade 11 and furthering my education by taking a biology course at UNB. This
is an exciting step toward my long-term goal of becoming a physiotherapist and eventually
opening my own clinic, where I can combine my love for sports with helping others.
When I'm not in the pool, you'll find me enjoying outdoor activities or expressing my creativity
through art. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season and can't wait to see everyone's
progress and improvement!

Taite Marques - Tidalwaves Coach

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

I started swimming in 2016 at the age of 9 for North York Aquatic Club. I swam with NYAC for 4 years, until COVID hit. I graduated middle school/junior high with a music award. I moved to Nova Scotia 3 years ago where I joined SWAT. During this time I joined cadets, where I was awarded top level 4.  I am now a grade 12 student for Millwood High School with a principal's list award. Last year I helped coach the Miniwaves, I am looking forward to coaching this year's group of swimmers and being able to see their progress.

Eugene Legge Tidalwaves Coach

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

Hi! My names Eugene and this my second year coaching with Sackville. I am currently a National level swimmer with Sackville Waves. I have been swimming competitively for 8 years, and on Team Nova Scotia. My favorite swims are the sprint freestyle and backstroke events. I am very excited to be coaching Tidal Waves!

Gavin Holman Mini Waves Coach

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

Hi, I'm Gavin and I've always had a love for swimming. I started at 6 months old, learning basic skills through the Red Cross program until I joined SWAT's newly formed mini waves in 2019 at age 10. I'm now a AAA competitor and would love to be a part of someone else's competitive swimming journey.

When I'm not on deck for swim practice, I'm there working as a Lifeguard. I'm also recently certified as a Swim For Life Instructor. 

I'm currently a grade 10 student at Millwood High. I enjoy biking, video games and working out in my spare time.

Jesstine Suewirotjanakun Mini Waves Coach

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

My name is Jesstine Suewirotjanakun. I will be coaching the Mini Waves group this season. I have been competitively swimming for five years and have been a member of the SWAT team since age ten. I was part of the newly formed Mini Waves group in 2019 and have many fond memories of that time.

Throughout my swimming career, I was one of the top Aggregated High Point Award Winners at AA Winter Champs for two consecutive years. I qualified for the East Coast Championships every year since age 12 and represented Team Nova Scotia during the Maine Provincial Tour, winning gold medals. I also have a bronze medallion certification for aquatic leadership and I work part-time at a local bingo place.

My accomplishments and commitments extend beyond the pool. I graduated with the Principal's Award and Citizenship Award in junior high and earned the Principal's List in my first year of high school. I am currently in grade 10 at Sackville High.

As a swimmer with love for music, I play both piano and violin, having won several awards and scholarships for my piano performances. I am also a violinist performing with Orchestra Maggiore, supported by Halifax Regional Arts. In my free time, I enjoy reading books and spending time with friends.

I'm excited to be a SWAT coach for the first time, and I am quite enthusiastic about getting to know each swimmer and observing their progress throughout the year. Together, we'll make this season a success!

Gabriel Anderson Mini Waves Coach

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

My name is Gabe Anderson. I have been swimming with swat since I was in grade 3. I am currently in grade 11 at CPA high school. I enjoy competing in swimming and going away for meets. I am very excited to coach this year so I can share my knowledge of swimming and watch everybody improve!