Chris O'Shaughnessy (he/him)

Head Coach

I have been involved in the swimming world for decades - as a competitive swimmer, lifeguard, and coach. I swam varsity at Dalhousie University in the 1980s, where I studied Kinesiology and Education, and later served as Head Age Group Coach with the Dartmouth Crusaders Swim Club in Nova Scotia.

I’ve been a swimmer and coach with the Downtown Swim Club since 1990, and over the past 12+ years, I’ve coached regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, currently serving as Head Coach.

My workouts offer a mix of Freestyle, Stroke, and Individual Medley sets, along with technical feedback, skill development, and plenty of fun. I also bring with me 32 years of experience as a Teacher and Administrator in education.

Gaël Chaubet (he/him)

Coach

I started competitive swimming at 11 and joined the University of Toronto varsity team at 19 while studying kinesiology. During that time, I began coaching in the weight room with various varsity teams, which eventually led me to complete a Master’s in Kinesiology with a focus on applied biomechanics and athletic performance. Still full of questions, I jumped into a PhD!

In my first year of doctoral studies, I became the lead strength and conditioning coach for the University of Toronto’s women’s basketball team - now heading into my fourth season with them. Around the same time, I returned to the pool deck as an assistant coach with the varsity swim team, primarily working with a sprint group during the 2024-2025 season.

My workouts are short, sharp, and social. We rarely swim over 100 meters without rest. I focus on developing top-end speed and helping swimmers understand and control their different "gears" in the water. I love reinforcing the small details like streamlines and clean push-offs - because at high speed, they make all the difference.

Marc Laforet (he/him)

Coach

Olivia Luka (she/her)

Coach

I have been in the swimming world for over 15 years. While I no longer compete, I still love helping others improve their swimming and connect with the community. It brings me so much joy to see swimmers push themselves beyond what they thought was possible and to reflect on how far they’ve come.

In addition to coaching with DSC, I coach private lessons for competitive swimmers and work with individuals with disabilities at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Katie Marovino (she/her)

Coach

I've been swimming competitively for over 12 years, and I'm incredibly passionate about the sport. Coaching gives me the opportunity to share that experience and help swimmers work toward their goals in a supportive and focused environment. I love encouraging athletes to keep learning and enjoy the process along the way.

Atharva Dandekar (he/him)

Coach

I’m originally from Mumbai, and I’m the kind of swimmer who charges into sprints like there’s no tomorrow - then happily cruises through a 10K open water swim just for fun. What began as a simple lifesaving skill quickly became a lifelong passion, driven by a natural instinct for understanding and explaining the water.

I found my stride in Backstroke and Breaststroke, with a soft spot for the 200 IM, plus the occasional mile and open water challenge. I was the fastest seed from my city, made my first national appearance in 2011, followed by two more in 2012, and continued competing consistently at a high level through high school and university until 2019.

Between sets, you can expect race-day stories, science-backed tips, and practical poolside wisdom. I might still be perfecting my “coach’s whistle,” but everything else is locked in.