Leading Edge has grown every year since its inception, and its certainly largely due to the coaches. They not only train us well, they make it fun and fulfilling. Club members often reach the podium across the spectrum from elite to across the age groups. This inspires those of us either new to the sport or aiming for improvement.

Coaches are also available for creating specialized training programs at an additional fee. Contact them directly to discuss your goals. (Note: You can also contact members of our Performance Enhancement Team for any physiotherapy, diet/nutrition, and chiropractic needs.)

Head Coach: Andrew Tuovinen

Andrew mentors and coaches athletes from beginners, amateurs, age-group contenders, age group podium placers, provincial, national and world championship participants and top finishers as well as physically challenged athletes.

Programs for various triathlon ranges are set out for the club members with individual programs designed for members according to their level and ability/desire to handle the workload. Feedback is provided by his athletes informally on a regular basis and formally on a weekly basis.

Andrew is active in the sport at a fairly high level and therefore is hands-on with his athletes whether in the pool, on the bike or on the run. Athletes coached by Andrew can attest that this hands-on approach is a significant asset in improving their abilities in all the disciplines as well as keeping the motivation positive and strong. In addition, this hands-on approach allows for the flexibility to make changes as necessary.

To find out more about Coach Andrew, including personal training and coaching services, contact him directly: www.athleticendeavours.com.

Credentials:

• Triathlon Canada Competition Introduction Coach
• Diploma (2yr fitness)
• BCRPA Certified Trainer

 

Program Coaches

We have multiple assistant coaches at LE! All are active in the club as athletes and looking to give back.

• Barb Zimich (cycling coach)
• Amy Saari (intro program and swim coach)
• Doug Giles (run coach)
• Rachel Schoeler (swim coach)
• Marie Campbell (swim coach)

Barb Zimich

Barb Zimich is an NCCP L2 coaching in cycling, Triathlon coach, an ACSM Clinical Exercise Specialist, and has a Kinesiology Certificate in Health and Fitness from SFU, as well as having a background in cardiology for many years.

Barb has been bike racing and coaching for over 15 years and her results include a World Championship medal at UCI Masters and three gold medal performances at the World Masters Games, two BC Road Race Championships and two Canadian National Championship gold medals. She raced and placed in triathlon from the North Shore sprint to the Eagleman half IM in Maryland, and has won the masters cross country run series.

Barb takes a progressive approach to sport, and believes in the importance of building a strong physical multidirectional foundation.

Having suffered a major bone break in 2009, she has been involved in extensive rehabilitation to recover her strength and fitness and was able to do a very credible 3hr 42 minutes in the Vancouver to Whistler Gran Fondo in 2010!

Barb has coached many athletes in triathlon, and cycling, and is very proud of their personal bests and medal results in every discipline.

She brings her expertise and experience to the Leading Edge, and they are taking on Daring to Improve their Biking! Look for LE athletes performing the bike leg at the front of the pack!

Doug Giles

Doug Giles began competing in running and triathlon events while studying at UBC, and has been taking on new athletic challenges ever since. He believes in diversifying athletic training and racing, and can be seen at any number of road, trail, and multisport events throughout the year. Following a successful sub-10 performance at Ironman Canada and a 2:56 at the New York Marathon in 2011, Doug is planning to race Ironman Coeur d’Alene in June 2012. We’ll see where the season goes after that …

Doug is a well-known face in the local triathlon community. Perhaps better known as “Speed Theory Doug,” he is a F.I.S.T. Certified Bicycle Fitter and triathlon equipment expert. After several years of hosting training clinics and offering training advice, Doug recently started coaching age group athletes in triathlon and running events. His program aims to teach his athletes how to prioritize their workout load while still finding time for work and a social life.

Most recently, he added CrossFit to his workout regime, and is constantly experimenting to see how new training methodologies can be injected into the tried-and-true forms of endurance training.

As a coach, Doug has found that consistency and motivation are two of the biggest assets that he can provide for athletes aiming to achieve a new personal fitness goal. He is excited for the opportunity to work with the dedicated athletes of Leading Edge who share in the passion of sport.

Rachel Schoeler

Rachel Schoeler started competitive swimming at the age of 10 and continued all the way through high-school. She competed in Kids of Steel races when she was younger, but became more serious about triathlon when she came to Vancouver to go to UBC. She has competed in many sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and has also competed in many open water swimming races of varying distances.

She has spent many years coaching pre-competitive swimmers, training them to become committed and strong athletes. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm of the sport to help encourage members to do their best and train hard.

Rachel is available to provide private sessions for swimming, and can be contacted at rachel.schoeler26@hotmail.com or by phone at (604) 313-9986.

Marie Campbell

Marie is a triathlete who comes from a swimming background.  While attending the University of British Columbia for nursing she swam for the varsity swim team.  As a swim instructor and coach she has taught both children and adults of all levels and physical abilities for over 7 years (a few years ago now though…).  This year you will see her in the pool beside you and every once in a while on deck! Marie and Andrew have drafted the swim program for the 2012 season.