meet the team

leadership team

Meet the passionate leaders behind H2O - a dedicated team committed to supporting our staff, driving innovation, and ensuring every aspect of our program meets the highest standards. From daily operations to long-term vision, this team works behind the scenes to create a safe, inclusive, and encouraging space where students and staff can thrive.

Kaley Irving

  • As an elite synchronized swimmer who competed across Canada and earned several championships, Kaley retired in 2004. Her love for the water grew into a passion for teaching. After years of coaching and research, she developed the award-winning AQUA-Lit™ Curriculum© to help swimmers of all ages build confidence and skills. She founded H2O Academy in 2015 to create a fun, welcoming space where families can learn to swim safely. What started with 60 students has grown into a full-time swim school with a talented team and thousands of families thriving in the water. Outside the pool, Kaley is happiest walking her dog, planning her next adventure, or rewarming her coffee for the third time.

Naomi Balsillie

  • Naomi is the Operations Manager at H2O Academy. Before moving into this role, Naomi has held many titles at H2O: Teacher, Program Supervisor, H2O @ Home Coordinator, and Assistant Manager. 

    Naomi’s love for aquatics began with time spent at her cottage in the summer growing up, where she learned how to swim in the lake. She began artistic swimming at the age of 7 with Winnipeg Synchro, and swam competitively for 10 years. Naomi competed at the high-performance level for 4 years and was a member of Manitoba’s Provincial Team. She has been coaching artistic swimming for 6 years and is currently coaching with Aquatica Synchro Club. Naomi holds a 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree from Canadian Mennonite University majoring in Psychology. When she’s not at the pool, Naomi enjoys camping, making music, attending concerts, and spending time with her family and friends.

Ella Woelke

  • Ella has worked at H2O Academy as a Receptionist, Teacher, and Supervisor before taking on her role as Training and Development Manager. She is a former artistic (synchronized) swimmer and has been swimming since she was a baby. She strives to share her love for the water with swimmers of all ages and keeps learning positive and fun. Ella also loves to praise all progress big or small and enjoys seeing her students become stronger, more confident swimmers every class. Ella builds connections with students and parents to help her teach each student in a way that will help them achieve their full potential. 

    Ella is currently working towards a degree in Human Resources and Labour Relations and she enjoys spending time with her dogs, reading and crocheting!

  • Erin is the Office Manager at H2O Academy. Erin has worked at H2O for the past two years in various roles, and now manages all of the admin. Erin has always loved being active, especially through playing volleyball and running, but has a history in swimming from competing in triathlons and spending time at a surf school in Costa Rica. Outside of her work at H2O, Erin is a professional photographer specializing in weddings and family photography. Erin enjoys reading, spending time with her friends and family, and listening to live music, especially at a music festival.

Erin Carradice

Julia Hutton

  • Julia is the Assistant Manager at H2O Academy. She started out at H2O Academy as a Receptionist and has worked as a Teacher and Supervisor before stepping into her current position. Her well-rounded experience and passion for helping others have made her a valuable part of the team. Julia is currently working towards a degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing. Outside of work and school, she enjoys going to concerts, spending time with her friends, and traveling whenever she gets the chance. 

supervisors

Our supervisors are the glue that keeps each shift running smoothly. With an eye on safety, service, and team morale, they support both staff and families ensuring everything from pool deck operations to client communication is handled with care and confidence. All supervisors are certified in CPR-C and First Aid, and they lead by example, mentoring team members and upholding the H2O standard every day.

Abby

Gabby

Mackenna

Mika

Zoe K.

Erin D.

Amy

Sam

Teachers & LIFEGUARDS

Our teachers and lifeguards are the heart of H2O. Certified in CPR-C and First Aid, they bring energy, expertise, and encouragement to every lesson helping students of all ages build confidence, skills, and a lifelong love of the water. With strong safety training and a passion for teaching, they create a positive learning environment where progress happens and fun is always part of the plan.

Addy

Charlotte

Gabe

Jenna

Khadidja

Katie

Piper

Sarah G.

Sophie

Arianna

Halee

Karie

Molly

Raina

Sawyer

Calista

Tavia

Sara

Andrea

Chase

Hayden

Kamryn

Sarah L.

Brooklyn

Skeeter

Zoë R.

Sydney

Anine

Nelaya

Rohan

Mimi

Sean

Receptionists

Our receptionists are the friendly first faces you see at H2O. They handle client inquiries, phone calls, and administrative tasks with warmth and professionalism ensuring every interaction is helpful and welcoming. From navigating our booking system to supporting families with class info, payments, and updates, they keep things running smoothly. They also maintain a clean, organized space that reflects the care we put into every aspect of our programs.

Denise

Madi

Reanna