Coaching Staff

We are here to support your needs. If you have questions that you would like directed to a coach or board member please contact [email protected] and your concerns will be forwarded to the correct person.

 
 
Sergei Soloukhin - Swimming Director / Head Coach 
  • Head Coach with BAD since 2002
  • Over 35 years of coaching experience and more than 30 years as a Head Coach
  • Charter Professional Coach (ChPC) with the Coaches of Canada
  • NCCP Level III certified swimming coach
  • International Level III certified swimming coach
  • Member of Ontario College of Teachers since 1996
  • Bachelor Degree in Physical Education and Sports
  • Head Coach Assistant, 2019 Sagamihara International, Japan (Ontario Team)
  • Head Coach Assistant, 2019 UANA Games, Pleasant Lake, USA (Canadian Team)
  • Head Coach Assistant, 26th Canada Games - Winnipeg 2017
  • Women’s Coach, 2009 Age Group Nationals, Australia (Canadian Junior Team)
  • Head Coach, 2008 Tri Meet (Ontario Team)
  • VP Domestic with the Canadian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association (2008-2010)
  • Head Coach, 2007 Paul Bergen International Meet (Canadian Youth Team)
  • Recipient of “Domestic Excellence Award 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 (for coaching one or more swimmers to a National Champion performance at the SNC Nationals / Trials, SNC Club Nationals, CIS Nationals and SWAD Nationals)
  • Member of the Junior National Tour Team 1979-1981, USSR
  • National Championships finalist in 200 Backstroke 1980-1983, USSR

 

Yuriy Bespalov                   
 
Yuriy Bespalov joined BAD in 2004 and brings over 20 years coaching experience to the team. His experience with the Ukrainian Swimming team - both as an athlete and a coach - has given Yuriy a solid background and knowledge in competitive swimming. Yuriy has developed Ukrainian athletes for the Olympic Games, World and Europe Championships.
  • Over 20 years of coaching experience including 5 years as Head Coach of the Ukrainian State\ University swimming team (Kiev) and as Assistant of Professor of the Ukrainian State University - Department of Swimming (Kiev)
  • NCCP Level II certified Swimming Coach (Theory and Technical); Currently enrolled in level III
  • Bachelor Degree in Physical Education and Sports (credentials have been evaluated by University of Toronto)
  • Ph.D. – “Rehabilitation Methods in Competitive Swimming” (credentials have been evaluated by University of Toronto – Doctor of Physiology)
  • 6 years experience in the National Lifeguard Service
  • Member of Ukrainian National Swimming Team and Champion of Ukraine 1977-1980 (100 butterfly, 200 back stroke, 400 free style)
 

 

 

Susie Escobar 

  • Two-time Olympian (2008, 2012) 800 free, 400 free and 400 IM 
  • 25 years of experience in swimming as an athlete and coach 
  • NCCP Level 2 Age Group Coach Certified
  • In training – NCCP Level 3 Senior Coach 
  • American Swimming Coaches Association Level 4 certified 
  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health from The University of Texas at Austin, 2006-2010
  • Team captain of the women’s swimming and diving varsity team 2009-2010  
  • Susana is passionate about swimming, she believes that a great coach impacts a swimmer beyond performance, leaving a positive mark on their character
  • Mother of a 3-year-old who enjoys staying active
  • Running and going to the gym are her two favorite activities outside of swimming. Not to mention travel when she can! 
 
 

 

Stephanie Judd                                                                                                                                                             

Stephanie Judd learned to swim at the age of 11 and shortly thereafter swam for the Markham Aquatic Swim Club, where she swam competitively for seven years and excelled at the 800m Freestyle.  In addition to swimming, Stephanie competed in synchronized swimming and diving, before becoming an assistant swim coach and swimming with the Master’s program with Markham.                      
 
Stephanie completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Queen’s University and Brock University respectively, before graduating with her Primary Junior Teaching Certification from Teacher’s College in Burlington (including qualifications in Physical Education, Special Needs and English as a Second Language).                                                                        
 
Prior to the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays Stephanie coached swimming and basketball as a member of the Physical Education Department at Lester B. Pearson High School and held Head Coaching responsibilities for the Fergus Flippers and the Huron Hurricanes swim clubs.
Outside of coaching with BAD, Stephanie is a professional Lifeguard, First Aid/Swim Instructor Trainer, Aqua Fitness and Yoga Instructor.  Stephanie spends her summers in Algonquin Park teaching canoeing where she enjoys here second passion, Style Paddling.
 
 
David Colman
 
David has an extensive background with instructional swimming having taught programs in Oakville, Burlington and Thunder Bay in past years. His love of swimming was developed from an early age and continued as he swam for his highschool varsity team and through to his years working as a Lifeguard and Instructor. David is a retired teacher with the Halton District School Board but you can find him still in a classroom many days as a supply teacher. When not working or coaching, David enjoys traveling, tennis, hockey, swimming, and spending time with his family.

David’s list of qualifications and experience includes:

  • NCCP Level I Swim Coach Certified
  • NCCP Level II Swim Coach Trained
  • Honours Bachelor of Physical Education (Kinesiology)
  • Bachelors Degree in Psychology
  • Bachelors Degree in Education (Primary/Junior)
  • 31 years as a teacher with the Halton Board of Education
  • Level III Swim Official
  • 15 years of experience as a certified Lifeguard/Instructor
  • 13 years as a hockey coach with BLOMHA
  • 10 years as a soccer coach with BYSC   

 

 
Antonina (Sonia) Pianykh
                                                                                                                                                                                     
Sonia is a passionate swim instructor with over 10 years of experience in coaching and providing lessons on different swimming styles to various age groups:
  • Masters Degree in Physical Education and Sports, specialized in Olympics and Professional Swimming
  • Certified NCCP Level 1 Fundamental Coach, Level 2 Age Group certification in progress
  • Master of Sports of Ukraine in Orienteering
  • Mother to 2 daredevil boys
  • In her free time, Sonya enjoys hiking and camping
  • Since 2023, swims for Burlington Masters Swim Club, to stay in shape, learn and improve swimming techniques and practices