Program Director / Coach

Qualifications: NCCP Swim Coach Level 1

KD is a genderqueer coach and swimmer with a decade of experience working in Aquatics, doing just about everything they can get a chance to. They have worked as a coach for Masters and age group swim teams, as a lifeguard, beach captain, swim instructor, National Lifeguard and first aid instructor, and Aquafit instructor. KD especially loves open water swimming with friends and spending time at the beach. Growing up, competitive swimming was everything to them but also it impacted their mental health.

They are so excited to join the Purple Fins to be part of a radical space for gender diversity in aquatics. They are always down to chat about socialism, trans liberation, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race.

Coach

Qualifications: NCCP Community Coach (pursuing)

Eric’s journey into swimming began roughly a decade ago when they joined the English Bay Swim Club, an LGBTQI+ and allies team in Vancouver. With the help of a few dedicated coaches, Eric gradually developed their technique and found a life-long passion for swimming. After moving to Toronto in 2014, they joined the Downtown Swim Club, Toronto’s LGBTQI+ and allies team. Eric served on the club’s board and led committee work to ensure the club was more inclusive - including lowering barriers to trans and non-binary folks.

Eric’s coaching style emphasizes community, play, competition, the joy of movement, fitness, having fun, and tecnique— tailored to each swimmer, and sometimes all at once! They personally have found all of these in their swimming journey at various points along the way over the years. They love to see swimmers progress and become more comfortable in the water, and perhaps even in who they are.

Eric is so proud to be a coach at the Toronto Purple Fins and looks forward to seeing you on deck.

Coach

Nat is a transmasc individual who is super excited to be a part of Purple Fins. He has roughly ten years of competitive swimming under his belt and is excited to utilize his experience in coaching folks of varying skill levels.

Nat has a passion for celebrating queer and gender diversity in sport, along with the ideology that the queer community deserves a space in any athletics.

Coach

Nico is a queer and gender fluid swimmer with over 20 years of experience, having started his aquatic journey at the age of eight in Colombia. While their fitness and sports journey is extensive, 2024 marks a special milestone for Nico as they step into the role of a coach. Drawing from their social worker background, Nico brings patience and radical empathy to the pool, creating an environment where individuals feel seen and supported.

Nico's advocacy extends beyond sports; he actively promotes and cultivates safe spaces for queer marginalized individuals. Diving into this new coaching chapter, Nico’s dedication to empowering and uplifting the 2SLGBTQ+ community shines through, making a splash in both sports and social advocacy.

Founder / Support Coach

Qualifications: MSc, CSCS, High Performance Certified, NCCP Swim Coach Level 1

Amber is a passionate swimmer, coach, and advocate of swimming as a lifelong activity. She’s worked in high performance sport for 12 years as both a program manager, coach and swimming biomechanist. Through her understanding of the sport system, she recognizes that swimming is rooted in the gender binary. She was driven to fill this gap and Purple Fins was created.

Amber actively consults staff, team members, and community organizations to drive the growth and direction of Purple Fins. She values the input and contributions of all folks to make this swimming space possible.

On deck, Amber is a kind and welcoming coach that wants to make swimming work for everyone and their access needs. Everyone in the pool is part of the team - and she’ll provide individual support and opportunity for all folks to get the most out of practice.

Learn to Swim, Co-Facilitator

Qualifications: NCCP Swim Coach Level 1 (pursuing)

Alex is a transmasc swimmer thrilled to be back in the water after a decade dancing with his gender. Swim practice is the highlight of his week. He is a certified swim instructor and is currently pursuing NCCP coach certification. He looks forward to flooding pools with trans folk.

Alex enjoys the physical challenge of each practice and loves swimming with teammates. Whether swimming in the pool or supporting from the deck, Alex’s fun approach creates a positive space where everyone feels part of the team.