LAST UPDATED July 8, 2025
Whether you’re looking for learn-to-swim instruction, help with your form, or just a really good workout, TNYA’s coaches are here to help! Each of our swimming, water polo, and diving practices is led by one or more experienced coaches.
High-Intensity Swim Practice Coaches
Brian Cairns
Monday PM at John Jay College
Brian (he/him) has been swimming since he was 8 years old. He competed as an age-group swimmer and through college at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, but took a long break before joining TNYA in 2003, and these days he’s predominantly a fitness swimmer. Because of that, he takes seriously his responsibility to design workouts that are balanced for competitors and noncompetitors alike.
One of TNYA’s longest-serving and most beloved coaches, Brian’s workouts are renowned throughout the team for giving every swimmer a challenging but invigorating 90-minute practice, no matter their skill level. When not at the pool, Brian runs his own dietary supplements business and is a strategic marketing consultant.
BJ Gasperoni
Tuesday PM at Borough of Manhattan Community College
Emily Fogle
Saturday AM at John Jay College
Emily (they/them) comes to TNYA after growing up in the Chicagoland suburbs and attending school at Purdue University and NYU. They were a 5x Division 1 All-American swimmer for Purdue and qualified for 2 U.S. Olympic Team Trials (2012, 2016). During their time in the Midwest, they supported over 100 youth swimmers from learn-to-swim programs to elite swim camps. As they transition to coaching master swimmers, they look forward to creating a safe and welcoming environment for TNYA swimmers by providing inclusive workouts and maintaining a space that honors their personal philosophy that the water is for everybody.
As a non-binary athlete, Emily vehemently believes trans athletes belong in sports. They have worked with several race organizations to open their participation to non-binary athletes. They proudly joined over 400+ NCAA, Team USA, and Olympic swimmers in lobbying for the safety and inclusion of transgender athletes in the NCAA and the USA Swimming community.
Emily looks forward to bringing this energy to the coaching deck as they support queer and trans TNYA swimmers in future swim races.
When they are not coaching, Emily enjoys swimming & running. Their walk-out song is obviously “Sirius” by The Alan Parson Project (à la Chicago Bulls). They live in Brooklyn and work as a licensed psychotherapist in private practice where they enjoy working with the queer/trans community & athletes.
Rainbow Swim Practice Coaches
Kar Nowakowski
Monday AM at Bedford Armory, Thursday PM at Hostos Community College
Kar (he/they) learned to swim as a baby in his hometown of Mokena, Illinois. He joined his first swim team, the Homewood-Flossmoor Swim Club, when Kar was six years old. Kar continued competing until he graduated from Iona University in 2013, where you can still find him in a few of the team’s Top 12 Record Book (just remember to check the women’s team!) Kar joined TNYA as a swimmer in the summer of 2021 and began coaching for the team in August 2023.
After swimming for so long while “in the closet,” he has reveled in being on a team where he can be himself—and where he isn’t the only person in the pool with top-surgery scars. Kar brings a love of the water, technical stroke knowledge, and high-energy to each workout, whether they’re swimming or coaching.
Kar is a part-time immigration attorney with Tenreiro Law, a part-time learn-to-swim instructor with Imagine Swimming, and a regular volunteer with the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program at the Queens Public Library. Kar is a certified Level One Coach with U.S. Master’s Swimming.
Mia Motekaitis
Tuesday AM at John Jay College
Mia has spent a lifetime around the pool — from growing up as the daughter of swim coaches to competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials. With over a decade of coaching experience, she’s worked with swimmers of all ages and skill levels, from infants to adult masters. Mia is passionate about helping others grow in and around the water, whether they’re learning the basics or refining advanced techniques. Her goal is to build confidence, foster a love for the sport, and create a fun, supportive environment for every swimmer.
Isaac Hanson
Tuesday PM at Bedford Armory
Isaac (he/him), a native of Middleton, Wisconsin, brings a wealth of swimming experience to his coaching role. Excelling in high school swimming, his journey continued at Hamline University, where he swam competitively at the Division III level and proudly served as team captain for two years. Drawing from these experiences, he transitioned into coaching, guiding swimmers aged 8 to 18, nurturing their skills and fostering a strong sense of teamwork.
During his time as a lifeguard for several years, Isaac got to spend extra time teaching beginner swimmers. Inspired by the 2008 Olympics and Michael Phelps’ historic 8 gold medal performance, Isaac dedicated himself to the sport in that year. Currently, he works as a behavioral therapist, specializing in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Isaac has a passion for helping others and believes that as a team, everyone can benefit from each other’s passion and dedication to improve. He hopes that swimmers will leave his practices feeling empowered.
Jona Bermudez
Wednesday PM at John Jay College
Jona (he/him)’s swimming journey began at age 3, when he and his mother relocated to New York City from Colombia.
After years of local swim club lessons in NYC, including at the LaGuardia Community College, Jona joined the Baruch College varsity team where he swam breaststroke and IM with a focus on long-distance events.
A dedicated TNYA member and coach since 2013, Jona has won our Newcomer of the Year award and Coach of the Year award in previous years, as well as represented the team as a coach or an athlete at the Gay Games and IGLA almost every year, most recently serving as TNYA’s head coach at IGLA London 2023. Jona believes in making every effort to be a supportive coach to his friends and teammates.
Scottie Norton
Thursday PM at Borough of Manhattan Community College
Scottie (he/him) is a lifelong swimmer who draws on years of competitive and coaching experience in both pool and open water swimming at Team New York Aquatics. He began his competitive career in high school club swimming, where he excelled in distance freestyle. Scottie went on to swim for West Virginia University, where he was part of the men’s team that won the Big East Championships.
In addition to his collegiate swimming career, Scottie was an avid competitive lifeguard with Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service (VBLS) for eight years. He captained the VBLS travel team, won a national title in the Run-Swim-Run, and received a national lifesaving award from the United States Lifesaving Association for an off-duty rescue. He has also coached and taught swimming with several teams across Virginia, working with athletes of all ages and skill levels.
After a long break from competitive swimming, Scottie joined TNYA in 2024 and was honored with the TNYA Spirit Award. As a coach, he’s passionate about helping swimmers push themselves, gain confidence, and improve their technique—whether in the pool or open water.
Anthony Anderson
Thursday PM at Hostos Community College
Brooklyn-based fitness & swim coach with a passion for both creativity and being in the water. Growing up, I was a member of the pioneering Nu-Finmen Swim Team, led by coaching legend Robert Trotman, the 2014 receipt of USA Swimming’s Diversity Inclusion Award. Aquatic fitness and competition is an essential part of how I maintain peace of mind and good health. I am most recently inspired by coaching techniques by Bob Bowman and Olympic Gold medalist Cameron McEvoy.
Onesimo de Mira
Friday PM at John Jay College
Onesimo (he/him) brings a wealth of experience as both a swimmer and coach to the TNYA family. Born in Zambia and raised in Nigeria, Minnesota, and later New York, Onesimo has a diverse background that informs his inclusive coaching philosophy.
Onesimo started as an age group swimmer and competed at the collegiate level for the University of St. Thomas. He later swam for University of Minnesota Masters and currently swims with TNYA.
As a coach, Onesimo got his start as an age group and masters assistant coach at the YWCA in Minneapolis. Since moving to New York, he has coached for TNYA, Asphalt Green Masters, and the triathlon program at Front Runners New York. Onesimo holds certifications as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and U.S. Masters Swimming Level 1 Coach.
Onesimo believes in testing sets himself to understand what his swimmers are experiencing. He stays flexible and open to adjusting workouts on the fly to accommodate the needs of the team.
When he’s not on the pool deck, you can find Onesimo sketching menswear designs, creating garment specification documents, and ensuring the perfect fit of the clothes he designs. He is passionate about waste reduction, upcycling, and repurposing materials to save the planet. Onesimo’s favorite Olympic swimmer is Natalie Coughlin, and he would lip sync of his life to “Love Shack” by the B-52’s and “All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers.
Multisport Mornings Coaches
Gregory Stock
Thursday AM at John Jay College
Gregory (he/him) hails from Saint Louis, Missouri where, at the age of four, he found he was better in the water than on land. As a Division 1 Varsity All-Academic Swim Team member at Saint Louis University and Valparaiso University, he specialized in backstroke and individual medley. His post-college career focused on open water swimming events including a Half-Ironman, Escape from Alcatraz (3x), span of the Golden Gate Bridge, and Bridge to Bridge 10k.
With a diverse aquatic background, including open water, scuba diving, and triathlon training, Stock’s coaching prioritizes respect and kindness. From Olympians (his favorite being Nathan Adrian) to amateurs, he emphasizes foundational skills. Drawing from personal experiences of high-level competition, injuries, surgeries, and recovery, he guides athletes to adapt to varied conditions, emphasizing body position, strategic pacing, and mental resilience. Going on twenty years of coaching experience, he excels notably as an open water, backstroke, and Triathlon transitions Coach.
In his day job, Gregory brings his passion for swimming and coaching into his role as a Design Strategist facilitating human centered design practices for early stage tech companies, non-profits, and other organizations.
Low Pressure Zone, Technique Development Coaches
Ed Roberts
Saturday PM at John Jay College
Ed (he/him), originally from Brooklyn, is a certified US Masters Swimming Adult Learn to Swim Instructor, Masters Coach (Level 3), Official, and Open Water Safety Director, Ed ensures a nurturing environment for swimmers of all levels.
Additionally, Ed has earned additional certifications as a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach, Race Director, ASCA Stroke School (Level II), and Swimming Strength and Conditioning Specialist (SSCS).
Ed’s journey in swimming began as an adult learner. His involvement with TNYA dates back to 2010 when he joined as a swimmer, preparing for his first NYC Triathlon. Notably, he competed in numerous triathlons and has swum across the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan twice and circumvented Governor’s Island twice.
As a dedicated ally, he has contributed to the organization’s initiatives, including donating to the Fortoul program and serving as a stroke and turn Judge at IGLA (2019) while also fulfilling the role of Safety Director for the Open Water event.
In alignment with his coaching philosophy, Ed believes in creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every swimmer feels valued and respected. Regardless of background, identity, or age. Outside of aquatics, Ed serves as a compliance director for a transplant organization in Manhattan.
Claire Shaw
Saturday PM at John Jay College
Claire (she/her) grew up swimming competitively in Anchorage, AK, and is a former state record holder and state champion in the 100m breaststroke. She has been swimming with TNYA since 2022 and began coaching in 2024. Claire is excited to help swimmers of all backgrounds improve their technique, reach their swimming goals, and enjoy the welcoming TNYA community. Outside of the pool, Claire likes to confront her fear of sharks by surfing and open water swimming, and looks forward to one day completing the 20 Bridges swim around Manhattan.
Lomax Turner
Tuesday PM at Borough of Manhattan Community College
Lomax (he/they) hails from the San Francisco Bay Area, competitively swimming since age 7. They always looked up to impressive (and gorgeous) swimmers like Anthony Ervin and Cullen Jones, always rooting for the underdog to win the gold. Competing at Tufts University, they swam at the Division III level, competing at Nationals in the butterfly and freestyle events. There, they began to explore coaching by teaching young underprivileged kids the basics of floating and swimming.
Then, they explored their coaching career further abroad, teaching Afghan children how to swim in the Mediterranean Sea while volunteering at a refugee camp in Samos, Greece. The difficult environment proved incredibly rewarding; their love for teaching swimming blossomed there, helping them realize that the only true path towards mastering any skill is teaching.
Now, they want to share their experiences with their own community: queer New Yorkers. Coming out publicly at age 13, they didn’t have an easy time navigating swim team dynamics, especially from coaches and teammates during “locker room talk.” Upon discovering gay sports, they were delighted that they could finally explore a space that not only tolerated, but celebrated their queerness. Currently working in nightlife and pet care, they are extremely excited to add coaching and fostering queer community to their daily life. They hope swimmers leave their practice feeling taken care of and fulfilled, one step closer to their fitness goals while finding lifelong connections on the way.
Lauren Owens
Thursday PM at Hostos Community College
Hi! My name is Lauren, and I’ve been swimming for as long as I can remember. For the past 11 years (time really does fly!), I’ve been teaching and coaching swimmers of all ages and abilities. I hold a degree in Communications and Psychology from the University of Colorado and originally planned to work in the nonprofit sector—but my passion for aquatics always pulls me back to the pool.
Over the years, I’ve trained in just about every setting: with kids, adults, and individuals with disabilities. I firmly believe that everyone should learn how to swim—not only is it a vital life skill, but it’s also an amazing way to stay active and build confidence.
Outside the pool, I’m a proud cat mom to a kitty named Frenchie (yes, like from Grease), and I love reading, shopping, spending time with friends, and dancing. Whether I’m in a studio or out with friends on the weekend, you can always find me having a blast on the dance floor.
I’m so excited to start my journey with TNYA—see you at the pool!
Adult Learn-to-Swim Coaches
Sarah Decker
Sarah (she/her) learned how to swim at 2 years old in Houston, Texas, and almost immediately joined a swim team. She became a swim instructor at 16 and fell in love with teaching right away. Sarah moved to New York City to go to college at Hunter College, where she was team captain for their swim team for three years, winning three consecutive CUNYAC Championships. This past season she had the privilege to coach for the Hunter College Women’s Swim Team, and helped take them to a fifth straight win.
Sarah has 7 years of swim instruction experience in Texas and New York, and with people of all ages and backgrounds. Sarah loves to teach adults to swim especially, because she loves to hear their stories and how they decided to start learning to swim. She knows it can be daunting, but she wants all of her students to know that anyone can swim and that swimming is truly for everyone.
Sarah is currently a full time swim coach for a 10 & under swim team in Queens. When she’s not coaching or teaching, she can be found at a movie theater or obsessively playing Stardew Valley with her roommates.
Amelia Possanza
Amelia (she/her) has been swimming and coaching with Team New York Aquatics for over 10 years, and was named TNYA’s Coach of the Year in 2015. She began swimming in elementary school at the JCC in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh and continued her career in the pool as a Division III athlete at Swarthmore College. These days, in addition to training with TNYA, she enjoys open water swimming at Brighton Beach and competing in either the 5K or the 10K at Lake George every summer. A freelance book publicist and the author of Lesbian Love Story: A Memoir in Archives, she lives in Brooklyn with her cat.
Artistic Swimming Coaches
Veronika Orlovska
Veronika (she/her) is a professional synchronized swimmer from Odesa, Ukraine. In her youth, she swam internationally and represented the USA National team at the UANA Pan-American Games receiving three gold medals.
She is a multiple-time Junior Olympic and National Champion ranked 1st in the US at ages 11 and 12. Now she serves as a Masters coach for Team New York Aquatics and coaches children at Imagine Synchro.
As a coach, she strives to be a leader for her athletes and create an empowering environment for each individual who attends her practices. She strives to instill passion and dedication within her swimmers and pushes them to exceed their expectations. Outside of coaching, Veronika is a filmmaker, underwater cinematographer, Aqualillies performer, and a social media manager.
Her favorite Olympic Artistic Swimmer growing up was Natalia Ischenko who was a great source of inspiration for her as a child. Now her favorite Olympians are her childhood teammates Megumi Field and Calista Liu who will be representing Team USA at the upcoming 2024 Olympics. The song she would lipsync for her life is Four Friends by Dave Malloy which was written for a song cycle titled Ghost Quartet.
Aisulu Nauryzbaeva
Aisulu (she/her) is a professional synchronized swimmer born in Germany and raised in Kazakhstan. Her journey in the sport began at age seven, when her father discovered synchronized swimming classes at a nearby pool. Training alongside the Kazakh national team, Aisulu was immediately captivated and set her sights on joining their ranks. By the age of fifteen, her dream became reality as she earned a spot on the national team.
Over the years, Aisulu became a decorated athlete, earning the title of International Master of Sports in Synchronized Swimming. She is a Champion of Asia, a two-time bronze medalist at the Asian Games, and a finalist at both World Cups and World Championships. Her achievements on the international stage reflect her passion, discipline, and years of dedicated training.
Since relocating to the U.S., Aisulu has brought her expertise and love for the sport. Now she serves as a Masters coach for Team New York Aquatics and coaches children at Imagine Synchro. As a coach, she aims to inspire the next generation of swimmers by fostering a supportive, motivating, and skill-driven environment. She encourages her athletes to strive for excellence while enjoying the artistry and athleticism of the sport.
Outside of coaching, Aisulu is an Aqualillies performer, enjoys singing, cooking and spending quality time with her family and friends. Her favorite Olympic Artistic Swimmer growing up was Virginie Dedieu and Gemma Mengual, whose elegance and strength deeply influenced her own swimming journey. If she had to lipsync for her life, the song would be “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz.
Water Polo Coaches
Jacob Sum
Jacob hails from the South, where — like many Floridians — he began his aquatic journey by being tossed into his backyard pool at a young age, alongside his pet alligator. He discovered water polo in high school, continued playing recreationally through college, and after a few years in New York, dove back in by joining TNYA in 2018. Since then, he’s been a dedicated team member, traveling to IGLAs and tournaments everywhere from Montreal and Palm Springs to Buenos Aires and Guadalajara.
Outside the pool, Jacob balances a career in architecture and swim instruction, and has been sharing his love of the sport as a coach for the past year (and counting).
Coach with Us!
TNYA is always seeking additional coaches to lead our workouts; coaches are paid per practice and/or receiving a certain number of free swims with us. In addition to possessing appropriate coaching credentials, it is particularly important that TNYA coaches be able to manage a diverse group of individuals with respect, dignity, and understanding, and foster an open and welcoming environment for all swimmers.
People of color, women-identified, transgender and nonbinary people, and people who have a demonstrated commitment to and familiarity with LGBTQ+ issues are encouraged to apply and can do so by contacting us.