PINNACLE FITNESS - Key Persons
Andrew raced at the highest levels in the sport of Triathlon for 15 years, representing Canada at several World Triathlon Series events, 8 World Championships and many other International competitions. He is grateful to have worked with some of the best coaches both in his home country and around the world. In addition to Andrew's sporting experience, he is a NCCP Certified Coach in both Triathlon and Cycling and has shared his experiences with many athletes in person and remotely.
Cindy is a NCCP Level 3 swim coach with a distinguished coaching and competitive career. She was one of Island Swimming's Head Coaches from 2002 to 2014 and was named SWIM BC's "Coach of the Year" for several years. Cindy has also been the Head Coach of the Victoria Masters Swim Club and is passionate about the challenge of teaching and training swimmers of all abilities to become more efficient with proper technique.
Cindy also enjoys the competitive aspect of swimming and is currently one of the best Masters Swimmers in the world having broken 15 World Records and over 50 Canadian and Provincial Records. Cindy's philosophy is that she is still learning the ever-evolving sport of swimming and loves to share her passion with anyone interested in improving their swimming.
Ellen Pennock is a former elite triathlete who has represented Canada in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2015 Pan American Games. She enjoyed a 10+ year career where she also finished with a Silver Medal at the 2013 Under 23 World Championships, achieved multiple World Cup podium finishes, and also served as a guide for Paralympian Jess Tuomela, competing together at the 2017 World Championships. Ellen has now turned her ambitions to coaching and promoting women in sport. She is a NCCP certified Triathlon Coach and has been selected as the assistant coach for the 2022 Canada Summer Games. Her coaching experience includes Masters swim programs, Youth Tri groups and one-on-one run & swim technical coaching.
Emma is a Certified Swim Coach who is currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria. She comes from a competitive triathlon background and currently competes as an Elite Para-Triathlon Guide. Emma has coached youth with Pacific Coast Swimming and also enjoys her role as a Stand Up Paddle Boarding Guide & Instructor.
Jack is a long-time multisport athlete who is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada with nearly 4 decades of military service in Canada and Europe. He was a member of the first Canadian National Biathlon Ski team and later competed as a member of the National Age Group Triathlon Team at the World Championships in Hawaii and Vancouver. He holds a Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance Level 3 certification and has instructed in Europe, coached the United States/Europe Ski team, and competed international in military alpine and nordic ski competitions.
Jack has completed several Ironman Triathlons and over 25 marathons in various parts of the world. He enjoys coaching mature swimmers with basic skills to build confidence and improve their swim stroke. Jack is known for his humour, tact, diplomacy and patience.
Job Titles:
- Certified Triathlon Coach
Janet Nielsen is an NCCP certified Triathlon Coach and holds degrees from the University of Victoria in Recreation and Health Education and a Bachelor of Education. Her coaching experience includes coaching successful on-line athletes, cross-country running programs, Master's swim programs, Youth Triathlon Camps and other various triathlon, swimming and running programs.
Janet has extensive experience in endurance sport including being a member of the Canadian National Junior Elite, U23 Elite and World Age Group Triathlon Teams. She was awarded "Academic-All-Canadian" for her studies and involvement as a member of the Varsity Cross-Country Running team and trained in the early 2000's at the National Triathlon Centre where she was surrounded by high-performing coaches and motivated athletes. Janet made a successful transition to Long Distance racing where she had numerous Elite Podium finishes in the Subaru Western Triathlon Series. Janet now has over 25 years of triathlon training experience and enjoys the lifestyle that it offers.
Paul is a former National Team Coach for Triathlon and has coached at the Olympic, Commonwealth and Pan American Games. He has a degree in Physical and Health Education from the University of Toronto and a diploma from the National Coaching Institute where he was designated a Master Coach (the highest possible level of certification in Canada). Paul also has coaching certifications in running, cycling and swimming.
Paul is a published author and in 2000, he also provided color commentary for CBC's Olympic coverage of Simon Whitfield's historic sprint finish in front of the Sydney Opera House that brought Canada the gold medal in the Olympic debut of Triathlon.
Paul has assisted dozens of professional and amateur athletes qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Kona and in recent years has coached 5 Age Group World Champions including the fastest time ever recorded by an amateur woman in Kona.