Beyond Swimming We Save Lives!

Our Story

Founded in 2014 by professional coach and dad, the Pacific Swim Academy (“PSA”) began as a family program dedicated to helping his three children receive quality coaching to grow as athletes and people.

The program grew significantly over the last ten years, expanding its mandate – operating in Vancouver while serving children and families across BC/Canada. In 2020, the Academy launched Pacific Lifesaving Club (“PLC”), the first community-based Lifesaving Sport Club in BC. It’s a community of like-minded families seeking a supportive environment for children to stay healthy, happy, learn, and grow.

Our Values

We believe all children are worthy of our time and attention. By striving for excellence in a challenging but supportive environment we can all learn valuable life lessons. It’s about saving lives … in more ways than one!

“With all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength”. But also, “Treat all children as your own”!

These are our guiding principles.

WHAT IS LIFESAVING?

OUR COACHES

  • PHIL SKINDER

    HEAD COACH AND FOUNDER

    Phil Skinder has been a competitive swimmer and/or coach for over 40 years. He has a BSc in Biochemistry, an MA in Education (exercise physiology), is a graduate of the National Coaching Institute (NCCP Level 4) and a member of the Canadian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (CSCTA).

  • ANNA-MARIE SKINDER

    DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

    Anna-Marie has been swimming competitively for over a decade, participating in both summer and winter swim clubs. She is also a lifesaving sport athlete and competed at the Lifesaving World Championships in September 2024. Anna has a huge passion for coaching and teaching, and she loves seeing her students improving and having fun!

  • NOAH MACDONALD

    SWIM COACH

    Noah has over 5 years of coaching experience and is a certified lifeguard and competitive swimmer. He is passionate about helping his swimmers improve while ensuring they have lots of fun along the way.

  • IAN WICKEN

    SWIM COACH

    Ian has been swimming for most of his life, along with rowing and later discovering Lifesaving Sport. Recently, he represented Canada at the Commonwealth Games. Ian enjoys coaching and seeing his swimmers improve and challenge themselves.

  • MEGAN WALSHAW

    SWIM COACH

    Megan has been swimming for most of her life and recently returned as a multi-medal winner at the Lifesaving SportCommonwealth Championships. She is passionate about sharing her love of swimming with others, always striving to make their day better through her coaching and encouragement. Megan finds joy in helping others improve and fostering a positive, supportive environment.

  • CHRIS KURNICKI

    Chris has been a coach with PLC for over a year. He is a certified lifeguard who competed with PLC at Lifesaving Sport Nationals last year and plans on continuing his swimming journey. He is passionate about swimming and strives to help every swimmer share the same love of the sport.

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  • JACK MCBEAN

    Jack McBean is a Grade 11 student at Vancouver College. He has been a competitive swimmer since the age of seven before switching to competitive rowing but continues to train with PSA and has spent the past two years coaching younger athletes after being inspired by Phil to get his national lifeguard and swim instructor certifications.

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  • JOSEPH SKINDER

    SWIM COACH

    Joseph, has been a PSA member since its beginning and has competed nationally and internationally. With over a decade of competitive swimming, he specializes in breaststroke, freestyle, and prone paddleboarding. Joseph’s goal is to help swimmers improve their skills while enjoying the process.

  • JUSTIN APPLEGARTH

    SWIM COACH

    Justin is a certified lifeguard and an enthusiastic coach with years of swimming experience. He strives to ensure every swimmer learns something new and has fun at every practice.

  • ABIGAIL SKINDER

    SWIM COACH

    Abigail is a nationally ranked age group swimmer and international lifesaving sport athlete. She is a Canadian record holder in the Superlifesaver event and has won a bronze medal for Canada at the recent World Championships.

  • DANIEL BERUBE

    SURF LIFESAVING COACH

    Danial “Dan” has been coaching surf lifesaving for many years and previously served in the Canadian Military, where he led their lifesaving team to success. He has competed in and coached at numerous international events and is passionate about helping others excel.

  • JASON CROSS

    SURF LIFESAVING COACH

    Jason has been competing in surf lifesaving for many years and spent time in Australia learning from top experts in the field. With a deep understanding of the sport, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge and enjoys teaching others how to navigate and excel in the waves.

  • NISAN MCDONALD

    SWIM COACH

    Nisan is a dedicated coach and strong leader. As a former competitive swimmer, she developed a love for the water and a passion for teaching. She enjoys helping others and takes great joy in seeing young swimmers improve and succeed.

  • BRIAN O'NEIL

    SURFSKI KYACK COACH

    Brian has been competing in K1 events since childhood and has a deep love for paddling various types of boats. He enjoys coaching in the Pacific Ocean, sharing his knowledge of the waters with his students.

  • DENIZ ERTÜRK İLHAN

    SWIM COACH

    Deniz has been swimming for many years and is a certified lifeguard as well as an energetic swim coach. She enjoys teaching her students both in the ocean and in the pool.

WORDS FROM HIGHER UP

  • PSA/PLC has taught our children skills, attitudes and values that are no longer being taught in schools. All three are now leaders, instructors, competitors and certified lifeguards through PSA/PLC.

    PLC parent

  • My son had terrible experience with community center swim lesson, afraid of water after that experience. However, PSA was the perfect environment for him to start learning again as many young coaches are available in the water to support, and now he is enjoying swimming every week. Now we've met so many nice families while kids are swimming and it became a great community.

    Jamie Kokot

  • PSA offers so much more than 'learn to swim' Phil's expertise and passion for swimming and community is palpable. It encourages the kids to be the very best they can be, both in and out of the pool. He inspires the young ones inviting them to be coaches which in turn builds up their self esteem and willingness to participate. They really feel part of something bigger than themselves

    Lindsey Beumer

  • The coaching is superior! Although Coach Phil has numerous students in a class, he is still somehow able to give specific one on one instruction to the student. He really watches, assesses and demonstrates his feedback to all of his students.

    Keith Finley