If you’ve been to a Tuesday night LYNX group swim at the Quarry Park YMCA, you’ve probably met Dana.
Today, Dana is an accomplished triathlete, a dedicated swim coach, and a familiar face on deck helping athletes build confidence and develop their skills in the water. But her path to triathlon wasn’t exactly a straight line.
Enjoying some down time at the Oliver Training Camp.
From Runner to Triathlete
“Running was my first love, but it was just too hard on my body to do on an almost daily basis,” she says. “It felt so good to change things up and hit the water or give my legs something else to do on the bike.”
Like many triathletes, Dana came into the sport with strengths—and weaknesses. While running felt natural, swimming was a completely different story.
Dana and her husband Morton all smiles post race.
Learning to Love the Water
In fact, she remembers a time not that many years ago when she couldn’t swim and had vowed she would never ride a bike on roads. Looking back, Dana credits much of her progress in the pool to finding the right support system.
“I really believe that finding the right coach and a supportive social group of other swimmers is crucial,” she says. “If you come from a background of being rather good at another sport, it can be tough to start from scratch with a very technical sport like swimming. Give yourself time.”
That perspective is one of the reasons Dana is such a valuable coach for LYNX athletes. She understands what it feels like to be a beginner and how intimidating it can be to learn new skills as an adult. Having gone through that process herself, she brings patience, empathy, and encouragement to every session she coaches.
Preparing for a practice open water swim at Wasa Lake.
Giving Back Through Coaching
Today, those experiences help shape the way she coaches at the Tuesday night swim sessions.
“I absolutely love being part of this enthusiastic and supportive community,” she says. “The athletes are motivated to work hard and improve, and I am motivated to do whatever I can to support them in reaching their goals. I feel so fortunate to be in that role.”
A Memorable Day at Nipika
Recently, Dana added another impressive result to her athletic resume, winning the women’s race at the Crazy Soles Nipika 10K Trail Run. But when asked what stood out most about the day, her answer wasn’t about her own performance.
Just before her race began, Dana’s four-year-old daughter decided she wanted to enter the kids’ 2.5 km trail run. Dana wasn’t sure the distance would be manageable, but her daughter was determined to try.
“I was so impressed by her determination,” Dana recalls. “She stumbled and fell on roots and rocks and picked herself up and kept on running. It took us over half an hour, but she crossed the finish line just minutes before my race started.”
Watching her daughter persevere left a lasting impression.
“We were both just bursting with pride over her achievement, and I got a good dose of inspiration for my own race.”
Racing at the Crazy Soles Nipika Trail Run.
The Power of Being a Beginner
Perhaps that’s why the accomplishment Dana is proudest of isn’t a race result at all.
For her, the biggest achievement was taking those first steps into swimming and cycling despite feeling uncomfortable and uncertain.
One of Dana’s favourite ways to explore: by bike!
“Challenging my fears and daring to start as a beginner in those two sports felt pretty scary at the time,” she says. “I still have plenty to work on, but taking those first few steps was a big accomplishment for me.”
That mindset continues to shape how Dana approaches both training and coaching.
When asked what she loves most about LYNX, her answer is simple:
“It’s such a welcoming and enthusiastic community—a great example of people coming together to work at something they enjoy doing and support each other along the way.”
Rapid Fire with Dana
Favourite workout: A trail run in a happy place—Fish Creek or Weaselhead.
Favourite race: The Crazy Soles Nipika Trail Run.
Favourite place to train: In the trees.
Favourite post-workout treat: A cinnamon bun with peanut butter.
One piece of advice for new triathletes: “Remember to have fun too—this will bring you even more success.”
Mountains, trails, or pavement? Trails. Every time.
Something people might be surprised to learn about you: Dana admits she has always been a little creeped out by pools. The drains, lights, and mysterious windows into the mechanical room were enough to make her nervous as a swimmer. While that fear has faded over time, she still takes a few hundred metres to settle in when swimming in an unfamiliar pool.
We’re fortunate to have Dana on the LYNX coaching team and grateful for the enthusiasm, encouragement, and perspective she brings to our athletes every week.