Langley Flippers
Meet Our Coaching Staff
Head Coach
Willem Hergesheimer
Hi. My name is Willem. I spent my childhood and teenage years swimming and competing at a National level, qualifying for several international teams. After I retired from swimming, I spent 3 years coaching water polo. I took a break for a while to explore the world. While living in New Zealand, I spent some time developing a swim club and decided my passion was sharing my knowledge and training the next generation of swimmers. Over the past decade I have coached for a number of different programs, including as Head Coach for the Langley Flippers for the past 4 seasons, while continuing to learn and develop my skills as a coach. I strongly believe in coaching education and providing an inclusive environment where athletes can thrive. In my spare time, I like to hike, explore, and learn.
Assistant Head Coach
Brielle Woodruff
I am so excited to be back for my second season with the Flippers as Assistant Head Coach! I have recently completed my second year studying Kinesiology at McMaster University, and am a member of the varsity swim team. As a coach, I am passionate about athletes developing skills to excel both in and out of sport. I aim to create an environment for every swimmer to achieve excellence through self-discipline, teamwork, strong self-esteem and a commitment to the process. I am currently NCCP 101 trained, and am looking forward to becoming certified. Can’t wait to see everyone on deck for another fun-filled season!
Coaching Staff
Oliver Griffioen
Hi there! My name is Oliver Griffioen, I am a recent graduate from LCS. This is currently my second summer coaching with the Langley Flippers and I'm super excited! I was a past Flippers swimmer and loved the community, and can’t wait for another great summer. I have been a swimmer/waterpolo player my whole life and have an interest with all things related to water. When I’m not at the pool I enjoy spending time with friends, reading, skiing, and playing with my dog, Ringo. I have also recently gained an obsession with bouldering and will be spending lots of time at the climbing gym with my friends over the summer. I'm super excited to meet new swimmers and see returning faces as well as have an awesome summer full of swimming!
Rose Esplen
My name is Rose Esplen and I have been with the Langley Flippers since I was four years old. I am so excited to return to coach this summer! I just completed my second year at the University of Toronto studying human biology while playing for the Varsity Blues’ Women’s Waterpolo Team. Growing up a Flipper has inspired my love of aquatics, sport and biology. My coaches provided me with amazing experiences throughout the years and I enjoy paying it forward to the next generation of swimmers. I am so looking forward to working with such an amazing team of athletes this summer. Go Flippers!
TIffany Hilland
Hello! My name is Tiffany, and I am excited to be coaching with the Langley Flippers again this summer! I have been a summer swimmer with the Flippers since I was 7yrs old, and I enjoy getting the opportunity to share my love of this sport with new and old swimmers. When I am not swimming, I am usually testing my baking skills or working on my paintings. I am looking forward to this summer; see you all on the deck!
Matteo Zanatta
I have been swimming since I was very young and have always loved being in the water. I joined the Langley Flippers Swim Club in the summer of 2016 and have swum with them ever since. The part of the Flippers that I enjoy the most is that everyone is there to have fun, improve their swimming abilities and that my whole family has a group to swim with. I really enjoy going to the weekend swim meets because you get to hang out and swim with friends from all over the Fraser Valley. I participate in swimming as well as several other sports in and out of the water. This will be my 3rd summer coaching Little Flippers. I’ve had so much fun coaching Little Flippers in the past that I’m back for another season. I really enjoy coaching swimming because I believe it is a very important skill that everyone should know the basics of just to be safe around the water and it’s also just so much fun. I find it very rewarding to see the kids improve their swimming and confidence in the water throughout the season. I’m looking forward to meeting all the new Little Flippers and another fantastic summer swim season.
Elliot Griffioen
Hey everyone, my name is Elliot Griffioen and I am super excited for this summer. This year I am a Little Flippers coach and can't wait to meet everyone. I swam with the Langley Flippers 3 years ago as well as last summer, and I also volunteered this past summer. I have swam my whole life and for the past 6 years, I have been playing high-performance water polo. Some of my hobbies are swimming, water polo, biking, and reading. I am looking forward to a great summer ahead and can't wait for all the super fun practices and meets!
Substitute Coaches
Niko Zanatta
Hi, my name is Niko. I have been swimming with the Flippers for almost 8 years. My favourite sports are swimming and hockey. I especially enjoy teaching the younger kids how to swim, I find it very rewarding to watch them grow as young swimmers and watch them learn to race, I hope to make them enjoy swimming just as much as I do.
Lila Mihalech
My name is Lila and I am super excited to be a substitute coach with the Flippers this year! I have been swimming for the past four years and I have been volunteering with our Little Flippers group for the past 3 years. When I’m not swimming, I love to play volleyball and hang out with my friends and family. I am so excited to meet all the new swimmers this summer and I’m looking forward to an amazing 2024 swim season!