Coaches

Head Coach

Dean Kondziolka "Kondo"

Dean “Kondo” Kondziolka is a 7-time Canadian National Champion, Canadian record holder, and the first Canadian-born swimmer to break 23 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle. A specialist in sprint freestyle, he brings decades of high-performance experience to athlete development.


Kondo first emerged on the national stage in 1986 at just 14 years old, qualifying for national standards in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle and becoming the youngest competitor at the Canadian National Championships in Edmonton. He went on to represent Canada internationally as a member of the Junior National Teams, competing in Holland and Germany in 1987 and 1988.


At 17, Kondo captured his first Canadian National Championship (1990, Etobicoke, Ontario), beginning a six-year tenure on the Canadian National Team (1990–1996). During this time, he earned multiple individual and relay medals at national and international competitions, achieved a world ranking of 1st in long-course sprint freestyle (1993) and 4th in the 50-meter freestyle, and became the only Canadian swimmer to medal at both the World University Games and the Pan Pacific Championships in the same year (1993).

His accomplishments were recognized with numerous honors, including City of Mississauga Athlete of the Year (1991), Canadian Interuniversity Sport Swimmer of the Year (1992–1994), and University of Lethbridge Athlete of the Year (1994–1995).

As Head Coach of the High Performance Aquatic Club, Kondo brings the same high standards to coaching that defined his competitive career. He has developed swimmers through the Junior National level, built dominant district and regional high school programs, and guided athletes who have gone on to medal at state and national championships.


For those in the High Performance program, Kondo’s approach emphasizes accountability, confidence, and long-term athlete development, ensuring swimmers grow not only in speed and performance, but also in character, resilience, and a healthy relationship with the sport.

Notable international and national swimming competitions include:



Assistant Coach

Amanda Alvarez

Amanda Alvarez joined the High Performance Aquatic Club coaching staff in 2022 with a clear purpose: to pass on the high-performance mentorship and experiences she received to the next generation of swimmers.


With nearly two decades on the pool deck, Amanda’s coaching philosophy is shaped by 18 years of hands-on experience and the rare opportunity to build her foundation under William Barton, before refining her expertise through continued mentorship with Dean Kondziolka, a 7-time National Champion, Canadian record holder, and internationally experienced coach.


That mentorship continues to influence Amanda’s daily coaching approach, where high-performance training principles—developed through years of elite preparation—are applied in an age-appropriate, technically sound, and athlete-centered environment.



While Amanda supports athletes across all training groups, she primarily coaches the Silver and Gold groups. She thrives on helping motivated swimmers bridge the gap between technical proficiency and effective race strategy, guiding athletes to better understand how training translates into confident, competitive performances.


Amanda is deeply committed to long-term athlete development and takes pride in helping swimmers grow not only as competitors, but as disciplined, resilient individuals both in and out of the water.

Head Age Group Development Coach (Junior Slugs)

Roger Garcia

Coach Roger Garcia – Head Age Group Development Coach (Junior Slugs)

Coach Roger serves as HPAC’s Head Age Group Development Coach for the Junior Slugs, where he focuses on building strong fundamentals, confidence, and a love for the sport in young swimmers. He has been a valued part of the HPAC coaching staff for the past 3–4 years and brings a lifetime of experience in and around the water.

Roger learned to swim at just 3 years old, with sidestroke being the first skill he mastered. By age 5, he began competing and continued as a year-round swimmer for more than 13 years. His early start in aquatics naturally led into teaching and mentorship roles at a young age.

At 15, Roger began working as a city lifeguard, and by 16 he was guarding at the beach. He later spent six years at Aqua-Tots, where he progressed from instructor to Master Instructor and eventually Aquatics Manager. This experience gave him a strong background in teaching swimmers of all ages and abilities, from beginners learning water safety to young athletes developing competitive skills. In addition to coaching at HPAC, Roger also works as a private swim instructor.

As a former swimmer, Roger’s favorite events are the Individual Medley and breaststroke, with breaststroke being his specialty. He has a strong technical understanding of the sport and a natural ability to connect with developing swimmers.

Coach Roger is deeply passionate about swimming and takes pride in helping young athletes grow in skill, confidence, and work ethic. He is committed to guiding each swimmer toward reaching their full potential while fostering a positive and supportive team environment.

Assistant Coach

Luis Guerrero

Coach Luis Guerrero Assistant Coach

Luis Guerrero has been an integral part of the High Performance Aquatic Club coaching staff for several years, playing a key role in developing some of the fastest swimmers in the state. As an assistant coach, Luis brings energy, technical precision, and an unwavering commitment to athlete growth to every practice he leads.

A former standout sprinter, Luis was a school record holder in the 50 and 100 freestyle and qualified for both Sectionals and Futures during his competitive career. His firsthand experience training and racing at a high level gives him a deep understanding of what it takes to compete under pressure and perform when it matters most.

While his competitive background was rooted in sprint freestyle, Luis has specialized in developing athletes across all strokes and events. He emphasizes technical efficiency, race strategy, and competitive mindset, helping swimmers understand how daily habits translate into championship-level performances. His versatility as a coach reflects HPAC’s commitment to developing complete swimmers, not event specialists. His ability to connect with athletes—while maintaining high standards and accountability—has made him a trusted mentor for swimmers striving to elevate their performance.

Known for his strong work ethic, responsibility, and consistent presence on deck, Luis is deeply dedicated to the sport and to the athletes he coaches. His passion for swimming is evident in the time and attention he invests in each swimmer, helping them build confidence, resilience, and long-term success in and out of the water.

Luis embodies the culture of HPAC: high standards, relentless effort, and a genuine commitment to developing complete athletes.

Connect With HPAC