Head Coaches

  • Jumps - Doug Vicic
  • Sprints - Mario Bourdages
  • Distance - Ben Kotanen
  • Throws - Fred Sommers
  • XC - Dave Short

Group Coaches

  • Jumps - Doug Vicic, Jim Clifford
  • Sprints/Hurdles - Mario Bourdages, Paisley Rankine, Dave Short
  • Distance/XC - Ben Kotanen, Dave Short
  • JD - Maureen de St. Croix, Ted de St. Croix
  • Throws - Fred Sommers
  • Seahorses/Run Jump Throw - Maureen/Ted de St. Croix

Ben Kotanen - Head Coach

Ben is a product rep for Mizuno Canada and coaches the high school aged distance and middle distance runners. A former sprinter and middle distance runner from Walnut Grove, Ben brings dedication, enthusiasm and a wealth of distance training knowledge to Ocean Athletics.

Doug Vicic - Jumps

Doug is a former track and field athlete and has university level competition experience in high jump, long jump, hurdles and relays. He has taken the National level 1 and 3 technical coaching certification programs for jumps and has 10 years of coaching experience in lower mainland school and club programs. He is delighted to have been part of the Ocean Athletics coaching team since it's inception. One of Doug's athletes, Karly Neveu won the Canadian Junior Championships in 2007 and is now attending a US College on a track scholarship.

 

Dave Short - Sprints, Cross Country

Dave has been coaching forever, according to those who know him. He has coached B.C. Championship Cross Country and Track and Field athletes and teams. Dave is the club handy man and has been instrumental in making sure our equipment is in working order.

 

Jim Clifford - Jumps

Jim is a coach joining us from South Fraser where he coached for 8 years very successfully.  In 2005, Jim was awarded JD Excellence in Coaching by Athletics B.C.   Jim has his Level 3 National Coaching Certification and is a fully certified level 2 coach in jumps, throws, distance events.  In the BC JD top ten of all time statistics, Jim has coached 3 sprinters, 5 hurdlers, 4 pentathletes, 1 triple jumper, 4 high jumpers, 5 shot putters, 1 javelin thrower, 6 discus throwers and helped train 4 hammer throwers to achieve a BC top ten.  We are very excited that Jim has decided to join Ocean Athletics in 2008 and we hope all our coaches will take advantage of Jim's experience.

 

Paisley Rankine - Jumps

Paisley is a graduate of Dave Short's school of athletics (Earl Marriott) and went on to compete in track and field at the College level. She is on leave of absence from coaching for us for a few months and is in China teaching English and coaching. Paisley owns a landscaping business.

 

Maureen de St. Croix - JD, Middle Distance

Maureen is a former Canadian Champion in the 400m and 800m with a pb of 2.03 for 800m. She still holds several age group World Records for women 50-54. Maureen has been coaching athletics for 30 years has, taken B.C. coaching certification for sprints and hurdles and is a certified instructor for the Run Jump Throw program in BC.

Ted de St. Croix - JD

Ted is an active Masters track athlete so he can try and keep up with Maureen. He is the former National Orienteering Coach and has been Canadian Orienteering Champion 14 times and is a World Masters Orienteering Champion. If you want map directions, come and see Ted.  Ted has his level 2 National Coaching certification and is a level 4 technical orienteering coach as well as BC Athletics Run Jump Throw.