A good coach has the ability to positively influence a child’s life experience through participation in sports. Our coaches work hard to teach your child good fitness and health habits by participation in team swimming. All swimmers will learn through putting forth a good effort they will learn all four swim strokes correctly and have fun doing it. They will have these skills throughout the remainder of their life.
           
All of our coaches are members of the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) and stay current in stroke development and training techniques for Age Group swimmers.
Our coaches are certified by USA Swimming and possess training and experience in the physiology and psychology of adolescent development.  Our Waves’ coaches are current in Red Cross First Aid, CPR and Lifesaving and Safety Training for Coaches.

Kevin Twohey – Head Coach Kevin began his swim coaching career as an Assistant Coach for the Waves in 2003. He was promoted to Head Coach in the Fall 2004. Kevin possess 30 years of coaching experience in baseball (Little League, Pony League, and Colt League) and Soccer (AYSO/Select Teams). Kevin has swum with St. Helena Master’s since 2000. Kevin never swam competitively but has tremendous leadership skills. He has developed a competent coach staff to assist him. Kevin is also the Fire Chief for the St. Helena Fire Department. He is married with one child and has lived in St. Helena for 20 years

Erin Begerow – Age Group Coach Erin learned to swim at age 2 ½ and could swim Free, Back, and Breaststroke proficiently. She swam with YMCA teams from age 6. Erin swam competitively in High School and in College, Division 3. Erin swims with St. Helena Masters, is married with 2 children, and has lived in the Napa Valley since 1992.

Dan Gaffey – Age Group Coach Certified Level I Age Group Coach, active member of USA Swimming, American Swim Coaches of America and United States Masters Swimming.  Coach Gaffey has been coaching with the SHSC and swimming with the SH Master's program since 2003, and primarily works with the older age group swimmers.  Coach Gaffey lives in St. Helena with his wife Karen and their 2 children, both Wave swimmers: Kevin (age 10) and Katherine (age 8).   Coach lettered in Rugby while attending college at LMU in Southern California and also has previous experience coaching both Basketball and Baseball.

Maria Phelps – Age Group Coach Maria swam competitively ages 9-15 on both school and City recreation swim teams. She certified as lifeguard and WSI - age 17, and taught swimming(all ages, infant-adult), every summer for the next 8 years. Maria swam with St. Helena Masters for 17 years - 1988-2005. She has been coaching the Waves since 2003.  Maria was also on the Swim Team Board for 6 years (1995-2001)- the last 2 of those years as president. Maria is married with 4 children.

Kathleen Twohey – Age Group Coach/Pre-swim Team Coach Kathleen has been involved with the waves Swim Team since 1999. Kathleen swam with the Waves from 1999-2003. She played Water Polo and swam with the Varsity Swim team at Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa. Kathleen is a certified Red Cross Lifeguard and USA Swimming Level 1 swim coach coaching both Novice and Age Group swimmers. Kathleen is also the lead instructor for the Waves Pre-Swim Team program for children age 4 and older.