Head Coach - Andrea Fowler
As a competitive swimmer, Andrea began her swimming career with the Abbotsford Whalers. She was a member of Canada’s National Team for over 5 years and was an Olympic Finalist on the Women’s 4x100 meter Freestyle Relay representing Team Canada at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout her career, she has been a Canadian Record holder, Canadian Champion, 1995 Pan American Games Bronze Medalist for Canada, and was inducted into the Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame for Outstanding Lifetime Achievements in the Sport of Competitive Swimming.
After competing in swimming, Andrea coached competitive swimming for over 7 years, including 3 as the Assistant Coach of the Abbotsford Whalers Swim Club and 2 as the Head Coach of the Mission Marlins Swim Club. In addition, she coached a full-time winter swim team in Calgary with the Kalos Swim Club.
Andrea holds a Masters Degree in Exercise and Functional Fitness from the Faculty of Kinesiology within the University of Calgary. Her areas of education included advanced exercise physiology, sport training periodization, strength & conditioning, sport psychology, advanced biomechanics and nutrition. This Program placed a heavy emphasis upon exercise physiology and anatomy as they related to elite athletic performance. Andrea has completed extensive training within the University of Calgary’s Human Performance Laboratory, where she was under the tutelage of some of Canada’s most successful Exercise Physiologists. As part of the Program, she worked with many teams and Olympic Athletes within the Canadian Sport Centre-Calgary, performed fitness testing for the Calgary Flames and collected research data for several special populations
As a mother of 3 children, who are all swimming for the Whalers, Andrea is looking forward to using her expertise, experience and knowledge to help provide the swimmers of the Abbotsford Whalers the best opportunity to reach their maximum potential in the sport of competitive swimming while maintaining a fun yet competitive atmosphere.
Assistant Head Coach - Gabby Driediger
This season Gabby will be joining Abbotsford Whalers as Assistant Head Coach. This is Coach Gabby's 15th year with the Abbotsford Whalers. Gabby has a passion for the sport of swimming and working with children and youth. She began her coaching journey at 10 years old, volunteering with developmental swimmers. As well as coaching Gabby is a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor for the City of Abbotsford. Gabby is a Coach that recognizes the importance of balance and makes sure swimmers recognize what within the sport brings them joy.
Gabby manages our Junior Whalers Program, overseeing the coaches and creating practices and programs for developing swimmers. Gabby finds great joy in seeing children new to the sport of swimming flourish after our Junior Whalers Program.
Gabby is ecstatic to get back to the Summer Season. She's happy to be back for another season of supporting all swimmers in developing skills in and out of the water.
Assistant Coach - Olivia Langdon
Olivia is excited to welcome everyone to the upcoming summer season. She has been actively involved with the club since 2016, and began her coaching journey in 2021.
Olivia is a coach who emphasizes the significance of creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere where everyone feels motivated to improve while supporting their teammates. Her principal objectives include prioritizing proper technique, promoting sportsmanship, and cultivating camaraderie. She emphasizes that teamwork is essential for the success of the swimmers and that collaborating can forge lasting friendships and memorable experiences.
In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Olivia has a strong interest in science and technology, especially in biology and engineering. She is pursuing her passion for STEM at the University of Victoria, where she is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree.
She wants to express her gratitude to all Whalers for their commitment to the Summer Season and looks forward to the opportunity to compete once again!
Coach - Sophie Reglin
Coach Sophie brings over 10 years of swimming experience and a deep dedication for teaching young swimmers. Her drive for helping children and fostering their growth in the water started at the age of 12 when she began her volunteer journey with the club. Sophie is committed to creating a positive and supportive environment where swimmers can develop both their skills and confidence. She believes in making swimming fun while also emphasizing teamwork, perseverance, and individual progress—particularly with young swimmers.
Sophie is a certified Lifeguard and Swim instructor. She will be entering her final year of high school and plans to pursue a career in Pediatric nursing. Outside of coaching, Sophie enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending quality time with her family and her dog. With her compassionate demeanor and enthusiasm to help swimmers, Sophie is eager to begin her first official season as a coach and watch her swimmers grow.
Coach - Danielle Huber
Danielle has been with whalers since 2015. In her first year of joining, she immediately fell in love with the sport!
Watching the coaches over the years sparked the desire to one day be a part of the coaching team. When she was 13 she started volunteering and volunteered for 4 years before becoming a coach. This year will be Danielle’s 4th season coaching with the Whalers. She loves working with kids and helping them achieve their goals. She wants them to feel welcome and hopes to pass on the safe and fun environment that she has grown to love. Danielle is excellent at helping the athletes improve their strokes and is a great encouragement to them as she coaches.
When Danielle isn’t at the pool being splashed by kids she enjoys going to the lake, hiking, trying new foods, and working as a pharmacy assistant.
Coach - Erin Campbell
This upcoming summer season will be Erin’s second summer as a Coach. Erin first joined the team in 2019 and began her competitive swimming journey. She began coaching at age 11, volunteering with the developmental groups, working alongside Senior Coaches to help build the swimmers’ skills, as well as her experience in a leadership position. Erin is also a certified Lifeguard and Swim Instructor who works for the City of Abbotsford. Erin, as a coach, recognizes the importance of dedication and hard work, as well as that of building a fun and inclusive environment that swimmers look forward to when coming to practice!
Aside from her experience in aquatics, Erin will be studying at UBC in the fall to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and has hopes to study medicine in the future.
Erin is beyond excited to get back in the pool, both as a coach and a swimmer, for yet another incredible Summer Season!
Coach - Arwen Zheng
Arwen has been part of the Whalers family for eight years — first as a swimmer, now as a coach. She began coaching at just 12 years old, volunteering with our youngest swimmers, and stepped into an official coaching role in 2023.
A certified lifeguard and swim instructor, Arwen is also a former instructor at Swim Fins. She knows how to break down complex skills into simple, achievable steps, and she creates a supportive, encouraging environment where athletes can sharpen their technique while holding onto the joy that makes swimming special.
When she's not on deck, she's just completed her first year in UBC's Science One program — but swimming is still a huge part of her life. Arwen is excited to grow alongside her swimmers this season and help make it a summer to remember!
Jr. Coach - Alex
Alex has been with the Abbotsford Whalers Aquatic Club since 2022. It has become a major part of his daily routine and something he truly enjoys. He loves fly and freestyle sprint events.
Alex loves to learn, whether in the pool or at school. He is currently a student at W. J. Mouat Secondary School, where his favourite subjects are math and physics because he enjoys problem-solving and understanding how and why things work.
Alex understands that focus and discipline play a role in many aspects of life. He believes that bringing the same level of focus and discipline to all endeavors trains your brain to work hard and achieve great things, even when they seem impossible.
Alex is committed to being a coach who not only improves athletes’ speed and form, but also helps develop a stronger work ethic.
Jr. Coach - Cissy
Cissy has been part of the club since 2021 and is excited to return for another summer season. She began her coaching journey at age 12, initially volunteering with younger swimmers and gaining insight through senior coaches. This season she is eager to continue her growth in her role and supporting swimmers in their development.
Cissy is also certified as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor, using her skills to help swimmers build strong technical skills while still maintaining a fun and supportive environment. She emphasizes the importance of becoming confident in the water, encouraging swimmers to find their passion for the sport.
Outside of swimming, Cissy enjoys playing piano - having achieved her RCM Level 10 goal - and spending time drawing. She also enjoys various school subjects, especially in mathematics, with plans to pursue business in the future.
Cissy is looking forward to the upcoming season and is excited to continue to grow in her journey as a coach and a swimmer.
