Our Coaches
Meet the dedicated and experienced coaches who bring their knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for swimming to every Burlington Masters Swim Club workout.
Amie Peddle
Lead Coach - Regular Season
Amie brings 20 years of dedicated experience to the deck, working with swimmers of every age and skill level. Over the past two decades, she has successfully coached athletes ranging from beginners finding their confidence in the water to triathletes and elite competitors achieving provincial and national records. For the last 10 years, Amie has been a proud member of the Burlington Masters Swim Club coaching staff.
Amie operates on the core philosophy that coaching extends far beyond physical speed. Her approach focuses on developing character, confidence, and community, believing that the discipline forged in the pool directly shapes an individual’s life outside of it. By viewing setbacks as lessons and tough practices as opportunities for breakthrough growth, Amie champions swimming as a lifelong sport that fosters deep friendships, resilience, and powerful teamwork.
Melanie Mackay
Coach
Born and bred in Burlington I swam in the first BIG games in 1969 then joined the BYAC in its first year when we trained once per week in the Old James Street YMCA because the pool on Drury Lane wasn’t built.
When I heard the men swam bare-naked in the James Street pool where we trained I was so worried a naked man would come on deck.
BYAC coach sent me to OAK to train where many of the best Burlington kids were because there just wasn’t enough pool time in Burlington. Sound familiar?
Made the National team in 1975 then the 1976 Olympic Team. Was my Coach angry when I had my brother in laws Burlington hockey jersey on behind the blocks in Montreal.
Went to The University of Alabama for a couple of years, then finished up University at Western with a degree in Physical Education. It wasn’t called Kinesiology yet!
Right out of University I took my first age group coaching job in Hamilton and for 41 years I coached in Windsor, Peterborough, Etobicoke, Burlington and, the last 24 years, in Oakville. Had two age-group swimmers break Ontario records and one, a National record.
I am proudest of my two girls:
Laurel who is an EA and lives in Strathroy with her husband and 4 children. And Casey, a social worker who works in Hamilton.
I started swimming again last year and enjoyed it immensely, but get extremely anxious at meets. So you’ll see me both in the pool and on deck.
Melanie Price
Coach
Melanie Price started swimming competitively when she was 12 years old and has loved anything swimming related ever since. 15 years ago, Melanie began directing that passion into coaching at a youth club and quickly earned her NCCP level 1 swim coach certification.
As a masters swimmer with BMSC for many years, the BMSC team is a big part of her life and very important to her. Hence, it was an easy decision to step up to help with coaching when it was needed a few years back. She loves to be a part of the BMSC coaching team and really enjoyed running the summer AM program this year.
Along with challenging swimmers to get faster and more efficient in the water, Melanie enjoys trying to bring out the inner child in masters' swimmers and loves to disguise workouts with fun and creative themes.
Although Melanie was not a superstar age group swimmer, she believes in fitness for life and still enjoys racing and pushing her limits and finding new adventures. Some of her athletic highlights include some great races at Masters Swimming Championships and top finishes in triathlons, open water and running races, including the Ironman and a 12 hour night time trail running race. Melanie also swam 42km (in 18 hours) across Lake Ontario for fun and has completed the 900km Bruce Trail in stages. In her spare time, Melanie also likes exploring new places and trying new things, spending time with family and friends, reading, doing puzzles and decorating cakes.
Iain Johnston
Coach
Iain has been involved in swimming for many years, both as a swimmer and a coach. Over that time, he has worked with swimmers of different ages, abilities, and goals, helping to shape his approach to coaching and athlete development. Iain's coaching approach focuses on helping swimmers improve their technique, fitness, confidence, and overall enjoyment of the sport. He believes in providing a positive and supportive environment where swimmers can continue to learn and develop. Iain encourages swimmers to work hard and challenge themselves while maintaining a healthy balance between effort, enjoyment, and a positive team atmosphere. He believes effective coaching is about recognizing when to push a swimmer, when to encourage them, and how to adapt his approach to help each individual get the most out of themselves. Ultimately, Iain wants every swimmer to have the opportunity to reach their current potential while developing habits that support a healthy and active lifestyle, both in and out of the pool.
Colleen Chiki
Coach
Burlington Masters Swim Club coach.
Jessie the Elf
Coach
Coach Jessey The Elf loves Christmas, almost as much as he loves swimming and Coaching!
Jessey began competitive swimming "late" at 17 years old, after being dared to do a Triathlon (that went horribly!). Within 1 year of Club Swimming with the Brantford Aquatic Club, Jessey qualified to swim for 4 years on the University Of Guelph Varsity Swim Team.
During his time there, he was a 2-Time-Aquathlon (1km Swim + 5km Run) World Champion in London 2013 & Chicago 2015.
With a background in Surf Lifesaving, Jessey has won the Open Water Swim at the 2022 Lifesaving World Championships in Riccione, Italy! He also got 2 Silvers in the 2km Beach Run in Australia 2018 & Italy 2022. Dubbed "Canada's Fastest Lifeguard" he has won Canadian Lifesaving Nationals in 25 Events!
As of recent, Jessey set the IRONMAN Canada Swim Course Record in 2026, and has won his Age Group in the 800m & 1500m Freestyle races at Masters Nationals Swimming Championships the past 3 years (Windsor '24, Saskatoon '25, Windsor '26).
Jessey came to coach for the BMSC in 2023, with 13 years of Swim Coaching Experience, and served as head coach for 2 regular seasons - coached over 1,000 hours with the BMSC.
Coach Jessey enjoys when athletes want to push themselves, and have fun competing with the Club!
Petra Haneberry
Substitute Coach
Petra Haneberry began swimming at age nine and has loved backstroke since her very first race. She joined Burlington Masters Swim Club in September 2001, and the club has been an important part of her life ever since. After two decades away from coaching, Petra recently returned to the deck as an NCCP Level 1 swim coach. A technical, encouraging and warm coach, she loves helping swimmers improve their skills — and watching the excitement that comes when something they have been working on finally clicks. Petra also serves as President of BMSC and is deeply committed to the club and its members. She enjoys competing at every level and has earned several national wins during her masters swimming career. She has also been part of two Canadian record-breaking relay teams. Of all her swimming accomplishments, however, she is most proud of receiving a Long-Term Contribution Award to Masters Swimming in 2025. Away from the pool, Petra is a mom first and has spent many years supporting her children in their own high-level sports. An avid hiker, runner, paddler and skier, Petra is happiest outdoors— and is usually ready to try anything that keeps her active.
Dylan Kent
Substitute Coach
Burlington Masters Swim Club coach.