Meet our Olympians
Katie Brambley
Canadian Olympian & Head Coach
Katie was member of the Canadian National Swim Team in mid-90’s, she travelled the world competing for Canada - and is a Pan American Games Gold, Silver and Bronze Medalist.
Katie ended her international career at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a member of the 4x200 freestyle relay team that finished 5th. Katie also swam for UBC and was captain of the undefeated women’s swim team for 4 of her 5 years.
Katie has been coaching for close to 20 years – for masters and triathlon clubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa. A freestyle specialist – Katie’s thoughtful and motivational approach to practices will push you to train harder and think smarter about your swim. Katie’s practices are tough, thought provoking and on occasion even fun!
*It should also be noted that Katie describes herself as a “terrible triathlete” – but she did manage to complete an Ironman (Whistler) 9 months after having her first baby! She then prompty sold her bike and decided to stick with swimming!
Andrea Smith
Canadian Olympian & Coach
Another Olympian on the team? You bet! Andrea is a NCCP Level 2 swim coach with over 20 years coaching experience.
She swam on the Canadian National Team from 1995-2000 and competed at many international competitions, including the 1996 Olympics, 1997 and 1999 World Championships, 1995, 1997, 1999 Pan Pacific Championships and 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Andrea recently competed at the World Masters Championships and placed top ten in the world in the 50, 100, and 200 metre butterfly. Andrea currently runs a fantastic swim club in Ottawa, – Btrain Swimming.
Andy Ritchie
Canadian Olympian and Coach
Andy began swimming at age ten and continues on enthusiastically a half century later as both an active Masters Coach and swimmer. He proudly represented Canada at numerous international events, including his swim in the finals of the 400 IM at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, at 17 years of age.
Andy’s coaching career began at the University of Calgary, leading the age group program and assisting Coach Derek Snelling with swimming stars like Mark Tewksbury, Tom Ponting, and many others. Currently Head Coach for the Thunder Bay Thunder Rays Masters Team, his T-Rays swam to their first ever Masters Swim Ontario Provincial title in March 2019.
Andy loves the sport of swimming and enjoys helping others to set and achieve goals they didn’t think possible. Andy is delighted to join the incredible coaching staff of The Freestyle Experience!
Lori Meyers - past coach
Our "Out of the Pool" Expert (although she is pretty good in the pool too!)
Lori of Body Vida has been a great member of our team over the years. Lori led us for all of our dryland, yoga and myofascial work to keep us healthy in and out of the water! Her extensive experience and genuine passion is second to none. Lori is headed on an amazing experience in Asia this year so she won’t be with us in Barbados in 2023 but we hope to join forces with her again for another trip!
Lori is passionate about teaching which has been evident since her days as a swim instructor and coach of summer recreational programs. Most recently Lori has worked with Swim Ontario to help train coaches in dryland techniques and help support Swim Ontario's dryland philosophies and practices. She has coached alongside Olympians from a variety of sports including swimming, paddling, cross country skiing and cycling.
Tera Van Beilen - past coach
Canadian Olympian & Coach
Tera admits she used to have excessive dreams about making the Olympic team. Those dreams became reality in 2012 when she competed for Canada in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, only narrowly missing the Olympic final in both.
Tera has made two trips to Barbados with the Freestyle Experience and is a crowd favourite with her skilled and effective ability to teach breaststroke and the fun and encouraging way she does it! Tera currently works for Speedo as an account executive and you can find her on pools decks all across Canada.
Martha McCabe - past coach
Canadian Olympian & Coach
Martha claimed her first international medal at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, and in 2012, she placed fifth in the Olympic final.
In 2015, she won silver in her home city at the Pan Am Games in Toronto and went on to captain the 2016 Rio Canadian Olympic swim team.
After ‘hanging up her goggles’ for the final time, Martha launched “Head to Head” a business created to promote youth mental and physical wellness through Olympian led mentorship programs that teach healthy habits and inspire confidence.
Martha sits on the Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission where she is trying to improve the landscape for Olympians in Canada. Check out Head to Head here https://www.headtohead.ca
Samantha Cheverton - past coach
Canadian Olympian & Coach
Sam was a member of the Canadian Olympic Swim Team in 2012, swimming a variety of events including an outstanding 4th place finish in the 4 x 200 freestyle relay.
Sam, who swam for the Ohio State Buckeyes, has gone on to have a successful coaching career in Ohio. Sam brings years of experience and expert advice to the pool deck.