Our Coaches

Paul Lloyd - Lead Performance Coach

Inspiring athletes to drive themselves to succeed and reach their full potential by providing a training environment where success is inevitable

Paul was born in Nottinghamshire at Kings Mill Hospital, which many years later became the birthplace of another great influence on British Swimming, Rebecca Adlington. Paul spent his childhood in South Africa where he developed a great love for sport and the outdoors, his favourite sports being football and swimming.

Paul has been coaching swimming for the best part of 30 years, his first appointment as head coach was at Slough from where he joined Maidenhead as head coach in 2009.

As a coach, Paul has developed swimmers to senior and junior International standard in both swimming and para-swimming. His achievements include:

• Coaching Tom Dean to GB team and International success at Junior & Senior level
• Multiple National Age Group qualifiers
• Multiple National Age Group finalists and medal winners
• Consistent development of swimmers onto International, National, Regional, and County development programmes

Paul also works with the Swim England National Talent Development coaching team and is part of a very select group of coaches on British Swimming’s flagship “Coach 2024” program. At a regional level, he is a member of the South East Coaches forum, and on an individual level, he holds the ASA Senior Coach qualification.

Outside the pool, Paul works tirelessly to develop very strong partnerships with the club's stakeholders, including the local authority & leisure providers, Swim England, British Swimming, disability groups, local schools & community groups.

To contact Paul, please email [email protected]

Alex Vine - Lead Coach Junior Performance

Paving the road for you (the swimmer) to get there

Alex started swimming at the age of 7, competing through Counties, Southern Counties (now known as Regionals), and then at Nationals where he took 4 silvers and a bronze. Alex also competed at the World School Champs and Junior European Champs for Great Britain.

Alex’s coaching journey started at 15 as a volunteer before becoming a fully professional coach at the age of 21 at Wycombe District Swimming Club. In 2012, he moved to Windsor Swimming Club as assistant head coach, then moved to Maidenhead in 2015 from where he has never looked back.

Throughout his coaching career, Alex has developed numerous swimmers to county, regional, and national level. This was recognised in 2017 when he was appointed County Assistant Coach. The following year, he became County Head Coach, then in 2019 was selected to coach on the SE Regional Development Program. Also that year, Alex was selected to coach on the National Development Program, and in 2020 he was put on the Swim England Coaching mentoring programme.

To contact Alex, please email [email protected]

Ian Rolls - Performance Coach

Don’t stop! When everyone else has finished it’s time to do it again

Ian’s association with Maidenhead came first through being coached, to great success in triathlon by Paul, at Slough, and then becoming a coach himself at Maidenhead. Over the years, Ian has coached most of the different squads and holds unrivalled knowledge of the various stages the swimmers go through.

As a coach, Ian has worked with athletes at the National Sports Centre in Bisham, supporting them through a number of international endurance events. Ian is a level 3 REP’s coach in personal & group training and heads up Maidenhead’s land training program.

In the pool, Ian is an ASA level 2 coach and has coached swimmers of all ages to achieve county, regional, and national qualification times. Ian takes great pride and enjoyment in getting the best out of each and every swimmer in his squad. He takes just as much pride from coaching his swimmers through a tough training set at 6am on a Sunday morning as he does watching them on an international podium.

Luke Withers – Age Group Development Lead Coach

Doing everything with reason and purpose, all with the athlete's best interest at heart

Luke has swum competitively since he was 9. He moved to Maidenhead as a swimmer just before turning 15, from where he qualified for regional champs and very proudly became club captain at 16.

As soon as Luke joined the club, he got involved with coaching as a volunteer. He then became a professional coach in 2017 and is qualified as a Level 2 swim coach. Luke’s main role now is with the junior squads, where he helps lead a great team of coaches who are instrumental in nurturing and developing the younger swimmers up into the more senior squads and preparing them for their first experiences with competitive swimming.

Luke also holds Level 3 personal training qualifications, and over recent challenging times, he has run a fantastic land training programme for the younger swimmers, helping to keep them fit, focused, and engaged with the club and swimming.

At the other end of the age scale, Luke also coaches the Masters, setting great training sessions that really incorporate varying levels of ability and fitness.

To contact Luke, please email [email protected]

Kasia - Level 2 Coach

Inspiring everyone love swimming

Kasia is a Physical Education Graduate and gained her swim coaching qualification in Poland.

Kasia is a Physical Education graduate and earned her swim coaching qualification in Poland. Swimming has been a part of Kasia’s life for as long as she can remember. Her journey began at a local club in her native Poland—first as a swimmer, then as a leading teacher alongside one of the country’s top coaches, Alicja Kleminska Kozlowska, head of the Polish swimming team and multiple World and Olympic medallist.

In 2015, Kasia moved to the United Kingdom and joined Wandsworth Swimming Club, starting as a teacher before progressing to Performance Development Coach. Dynamic and passionate, Kasia thrives on challenges. She is patient, enthusiastic, and deeply committed to supporting her swimmers. Her positive energy and encouragement make every session enjoyable and rewarding. Outside the pool, Kasia loves all water sports, especially windsurfing. She is an avid traveller with a special love for the Balkans—Ohrid in Macedonia is her favourite place in the world.

At home, she dotes on her rescued seven-year-old English Staffordshire Bull Terrier. No matter the time of day, you’ll always find Kasia smiling on poolside—so smile back and give your best in training!.

Rod Hunt - Academy and Junior 1

Helping young swimmers improve their skills and learn new ones

Rod learned to swim in the sea at seven and has always enjoyed it. However, he only got involved with club swimming after moving to Maidenhead in 1979, when his eight-year-old son joined Marlins. His daughter and younger son joined the club when they were old enough.

After several months of watching as a parent, Rod volunteered to help with the summer barbecue and was then asked to assist poolside. He completed the swimming teacher courses and became a qualified Level 2 swimming teacher.

Rod has been with the club ever since, mainly teaching and coaching swimming, serving on the club committee in various roles, and officiating at galas. He now leads the Academy and Junior 1 groups, enjoying helping young swimmers improve their skills and learn new ones. Rod encourages them to train hard while having fun, so they stay motivated and reach their full potential.

Sharon Bridge - Academy and Junior 1

Building confidence in young swimmers through encouragement and positivity

Sharon began high board diving at 11, training at Crystal Palace. She became a Level 2 Swimming Teacher in 1982 and later a diving coach. Sharon taught swimming at various leisure centres in Reading until 1988, then moved to London to teach at Putney Leisure Centre.

Returning to Maidenhead in 1993, she worked at Windsor Leisure Centre, private swim schools, Ridgeway School, and Highfield School. In 2012, she helped run disability swimming sessions with SportsAble. After the charity closed, she continued these sessions at Braywick, benefiting 60 swimmers with multiple disabilities, from babies to those over 80.

Sharon joined Maidenhead Marlins in 2014 and loves the supportive coaching team. She feels at home on poolside and looks forward to every session, eager to help young swimmers improve and reach their potential.

Zoe Rolls - Foundation Squads

Zoë has been a competitive swimmer since the age of seven. She joined Maidenhead Marlins, She established herself as a National 100m and 200m butterfly swimmer before securing a Scholarship to attend Millfield School.

Beyond the pool, Zoë spent five years in Canada completing her university studies. Upon returning to the UK, she earned her QTS and PGCE, qualifying as a primary school teacher.

As a Qualified Coach, Zoë is passionate about progressing in her coaching journey. She primarily works with junior squads, creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment where swimmers can develop their skills and confidence in the water.

Stefan Wuestner - Junior Squads

Helping everyone reach their full potential in the water

Stefan has been passionate about swimming since the age of seven. As a competitive swimmer, he specialised in long-distance events, competing in the 800m and 1500m at national level. More recently, he has embraced the challenge of open-water swimming.

After graduating from university, Stefan began coaching, focusing on the fundamental and foundation stages at several swim schools in Surrey. During this time, he also led sessions for older swimmers and masters athletes. He joined Marlins as a volunteer during the 2020/21 season after returning from a teaching post in China.

With over 10 years’ experience as a qualified primary school teacher, Stefan has honed his coaching skills and developed a philosophy centred on helping young swimmers build confidence and achieve their full potential.