-Kelly MacDonald, Founder

Kelly is the founder and owner of Marlin Swim Academy and has been a dedicated professional in the aquatic industry since 2007. With a deep passion for promoting water safety, Kelly has made it her mission to educate children and families through high-quality swim instruction. She is also the developer of the Academy’s specialized Infant Survival Program, co-developer of Marlin Swim Academy's Guppy Program and sits as co-chair of the Lifesaving Society's Public Education Activity Centre for Swim to Survive.

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Kelly's teaching style is a child-led, explorative approach where she allows children to learn their boundaries and abilities through trial and error. Kelly specializes in early starts in the Infant Survival program and works with children until they age out and continue with the Guppy program.

Kandice is the Manager of Instructor Engagement at Marlin Swim Academy and a highly skilled Master Instructor with a deep-rooted passion for aquatic education. She has been active in the aquatic industry since 2007 and brings extensive experience and energy to every class she leads. 

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Kandice teaches a variety of essential programs, including Infant Survival, First Aid, National Lifeguard Program, Swim and Lifesaving Instructors, and Water Fitness. Kandice also co-developed Marlin Swim Academy's Guppy Program. With a background in Child and Youth Work, she brings a unique and compassionate approach to teaching, ensuring that each swimmer feels supported and empowered in their learning journey.

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Kandice's teaching style is a guided, child-led, discovery style, and a great match for all swimmers. Kandice is a great choice for children and adults working outside the skill-based curriculum at their own pace, but need a more structured and  guided approach to meet their goals.

Kerrie is a dedicated Master Instructor at Marlin Swim Academy with an impressive background in aquatics dating back to 2000. In addition to her extensive experience as a swim professional, Kerrie is also a certified Teacher, which fuels her passion for working with children and supporting their development both in and out of the water.

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Known for her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with her swimmers, Kerrie creates a positive and encouraging learning environment. Kerrie has played a role in development of Marlin Swim Academy programs as well as staff training. She is also a certified Water Fitness Instructor and plays a key role in training future Swim and Lifesaving Instructors as an Instructor Trainer.

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Kerrie's teaching style is fun and supportive with the little push new swimmers often need to overcome a new environment that only a highly experienced instructor can provide. If you have a young, nervous swimmer, Kerrie is an excellent choice!

Chloé is a passionate Master Instructor at Marlin Swim Academy who has been formally teaching swim lessons since 2024—but her connection to the water goes back a lifetime. Chloé actively competes in sprint distance triathlon, long distance open water swimming and Lifesaving Sport. She currently holds her National Lifeguard Waterfront and Level 1 Lifesaving Coaching certifications, and hopes to start competing at open water lifesaving competitions in 2026.

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With extensive experience working with both youth and adults with developmental disabilities, Chloé brings a compassionate and patient approach to her instruction. Her natural ability to build trusting relationships makes her especially skilled at supporting swimmers who have experienced trauma or hold severe fears of the water.

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Chloé's teaching style is explorative and swimmer-led. Whether her swimmers are working on the curriculum or their own goals, Chloé ensures a supportive environment where willing swimmers of all ages can feel seen. If you are an adult taking steps to overcome fear or have a swimmer with higher needs (emotional, behavioural or physical), Chloé is an excellent choice!

Jordan is a motivated Instructor at Marlin Swim Academy who began teaching swim lessons in 2023. She brings strong leadership skills and a passion for working with youth, drawing on her extensive experience in community and school-based programs.

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Jordan's teaching style is upbeat and structured. She focuses on our curriculum with a step-by-step approach for swimmers who are in one of our skill-based programs. Jordan thrives on measurable outcomes and works great with swimmers who have specific, skill-based goals.

Jack is a Junior Instructor at Marlin Swim Academy who brings a couple years of teaching experience and a fun, energetic personality to the pool. While he is new to the Marlin Team, he has lots of experience working with young swimmers and loves making lessons an engaging and positive experience.

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Jack works well within the Marlin curriculum and is especially successful with swimmers who are ready to jump in, try new things, and have a little fun while they learn. His playful personality helps him connect easily with confident young swimmers, while his positive attitude keeps lessons moving forward as they work through new skills.

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Jack's teaching style is energetic, encouraging, and full of personality. If your swimmer is outgoing, comfortable in the water, and enjoys learning through a little fun and play, Jack could be a great fit!

Charli is a Junior Instructor at Marlin Swim Academy who may be new to the Marlin Team, but she is certainly not new to teaching. She brings a thoughtful and focused approach to her lessons and genuinely enjoys seeing her swimmers work through new skills and make progress.

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Charli thrives with swimmers who are comfortable being gently challenged to reach the next step in their skill development. She takes pride in helping swimmers recognize what they are capable of and works within the Marlin curriculum to help them build strong, purposeful skills. 

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Charli's teaching style is patient, attentive, and encouraging. She is a great fit for swimmers who enjoy a calm, focused learning environment and are motivated by working toward their next skill.

Tracey is a Senior Instructor at Marlin Swim Academy who brings over a decade and a half of experience in aquatic instruction, having taught swim lessons since 2011. While she may be newer to the Marlin team, she is certainly no stranger to the water.

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With a strong background in swimming, Tracey spent many years as a competitive synchronized swimmer and coach, bringing a unique perspective and refined technique to her teaching. Her deep understanding of movement, rhythm, and water confidence adds depth to every lesson she leads.

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Tracey's teaching style is swimmer-led and supportive. For swimmers who are working on their own goals and may not necessarily be in a skill-based program, Tracey's guidance will have swimmers working through their own milestones. If you are an adult beginner or have a swimmer stuck on a skill or level, Tracey is an excellent choice!

Jillian is a dedicated Senior Instructor at Marlin Swim Academy who officially began teaching in 2023. Her passion for swim instruction began well before her certification, with many years spent volunteering and supporting swim lessons in her community.

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Jillian is known for her positive energy and commitment to helping swimmers of all ages feel confident and safe in the water. Her background as a volunteer reflects her deep-rooted dedication to making a difference through teaching.

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Outside of the pool, Jillian enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, balancing her professional enthusiasm with a strong sense of community and connection.

Sophie is a new member of the Marlin Team, bringing with her a lifelong passion for swimming. She began teaching in 2024, after spending several years as a competitive swimmer. Each summer, she enjoys coaching a swim team, an experience that has allowed her to work with swimmers of all ages and skill levels—something she finds incredibly rewarding.

Sophie's teaching style is technically-focused with an energetic, friendly approach. If you have a swimmer who is in need of some guidance with technique, or a little extra push to get their kicking down, Sophie is a great choice! With a soft touch but a lot of focus, Sophie has great success getting technical stroke correction down.

Madailein is a new member to the Marlin team and has been teaching swimming lessons since 2023. She understands that every swimmer adjusts to the water differently and is willing to give children the time and support they need to feel safe. She is particularly comfortable working with young swimmers who may need extra reassurance or hands-on support, while adapting her lessons to keep everyone learning and progressing.

Her calm and patient approach allows her to navigate challenges without losing sight of the skills each swimmer is working toward.

Olivia is a Junior Instructor at Marlin Swim Academy who brings a variety of experience working with children and in aquatic environments. She has experience leading games and activities, supervising children of a variety of ages, and creating positive and engaging experiences for young learners in and around the pool.

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If you have a confident, young swimmer looking to work through the Marlin Swim Academy curriculum, Olivia D is a great choice!

Olivia P has a calm and quietly confident approach to teaching. She is comfortable working through skills with her swimmers and enjoys seeing them develop their abilities as they move through the Marlin curriculum. Her steady, friendly approach helps create a relaxed learning environment where swimmers can work toward their next skill.

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If have a swimmer who could use a calm and encouraging approach to a skill-based curriculum, Olivia P could be a great fit! 

Carter has been teaching private swimming lessons since 2025 and enjoys working with swimmers who are motivated by skill development. He likes having clear goals to work toward and takes a focused approach to helping swimmers understand and improve their skills within the Marlin curriculum.

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Carter's teaching style is confident, technical, and goal-oriented. He is a great fit for swimmers who enjoy working toward specific skill-based goals and are motivated by seeing their technique and abilities improve.

Morgan brings a confident and approachable attitude to her lessons. She enjoys working through skills with her swimmers and is comfortable encouraging them to keep progressing as they develop their abilities. Morgan's teaching style is steady and encouraging. She is a great fit for swimmers who benefit from a positive instructor and a focused approach to building their skills. 

Noah works well with swimmers who are comfortable in the water and ready to participate in their learning. He enjoys working through the Marlin curriculum and helping swimmers build on their existing skills as they progress toward new ones. His confident approach and willingness to keep lessons moving make him a great fit for swimmers who are ready to learn and take direction.

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Noah's teaching style is confident, positive, and focused. He is a great fit for swimmers who are comfortable in the water, willing to learn, and enjoy working through a skill-based curriculum.