Nothing has a greater influence on the quality of children's sports than the excellence of the coach. The Coastal Maine Aquatics staff includes five professionally trained coaches and one professional athletic trainer. Together, these coaches have amassed over 85 years of professional coaching experience.

As members of the American Swim Coaches Association, they have access to the most comprehensive training and certification programs for youth coaches of any sport in the United States. Certified coaches in USA Swimming programs possess training and experience in the physiology and psychology of adolescent development.

Our highly qualified coaching staff assures that the time your children spend in swimming with CMA will be quality time.

Leanne Gravel

Leanne Gravel, Head Coach, is Level 4 ASCA certified and had many athletes achieve Sectional, National Top 16, Junior National and Senior National qualifying times since joining CMA in October 2002. After being an Assistant Coach with the Westbrook Seals and the Williston Northampton School, Leanne was Chosen MSI Coach of the Year for 2004 and 2006. Leanne was Head Age Group Coach for the 2002 Summer Maine Zone Team and Assistant Coach for the Winter Maine Zone Teams in 2003, 2004, and 2006. In the summer of 2006, Leanne was chosen as an Assistant Coach for the 2006 Eastern Zone Select Camp in Annapolis, Maryland. Since 2003, CMA has won 9 out of 11 State Championships. Currently, Leanne is the Senior Vice Chair for Maine Swimming. She directly coaches the National and Pre-National groups and oversees the entire CMA program including Dryland. Before moving back to Portland in 1991, Leanne coached Varsity Swimming, Diving, and Softball at the Williston-Northampton School and taught several years as a Red Cross Swim instructor. Leanne holds a BA in Child Development and Classical Civilization from Connecticut College and has earned all credits for her MA in Teaching from Boston University.

Chris Brunette

Chris Brunette, Assistant Coach, has been a member of CMA's coaching staff since 1993 and has been coaching competitive swimmers since 1989. From 1989 to 1991, Chris coached with the Bull's Eye Swim Team in South Portland. From 1991 - 1993, Chris coached with Fast Aquatics in Idaho. In 1994 and 2000, Chris was chosen as an Assistant Coach with the MSI Winter Zone Team. At CMA, Chris is primarily responsible for the development of the Silver, Bronze and Pre-Competitive groups. Chris has extensive experience working with children ages 13 and under. With 6 years as an American Red Cross swim instructor and 17 years as a competitive coach, Chris has exhibited a strong and successful foundation in teaching swimming skills. ASCA Level 2 certified, Chris is presently working on Level 3. Chris is a Graduate of the University of Maine with a B.A. in Sociology.

Andrew Kemp

Andrew Kemp, Assistant Coach, comes to us from Tasmania, Australia where he was immersed in the swimming world for many years. Andrew swam competitively from age five to thirteen when he was then lured into the sport of water polo. As a representative on the Tasmanian State Team, Andrew competed at the national level. From age sixteen to the present, Andrew has been heavily involved in life guarding and learn to swim programs. For over twenty years, Andrew has been overseeing pools, water parks and beaches from Australia to Florida to Maine. Most recently, Andrew was an Assistant Coach with the Portland Porpoise Swim Club. ASCA Level II certified, Andrew coaches the Silver+, Silver and Bronze Groups and assists with the National Group. Through knowledge, excitement, enthusiasm, and a wealth of experience, Andrew simply motivates everyone around him.

Sean Flaherty

Sean Flaherty, Assistant Coach, is welcomed back to CMA after coaching in Virginia for the Arlington Aquatic Club. Sean began his swimming career at CMA at the age of 8. Swimming with CMA for over 12 years, Sean set numerous state records in the distance freestyle events and also had a State Record-Setting high school swim career. A three-time winner of the noted "Peaks-to-Portland" Open Water Swim, Sean also competed at the Junior National Championships and the U.S. Open Championships. Earning a swimming scholarship to Division I George Washington University in Washington, DC, Sean was named Rookie of the Year fo the Atlantic Ten Conference and All-Conference Teams. Graduating from GW in 2007, Sean was a successful political advocate in Washington, D.C. before returning home to Scarborough. Today he is continuing his career in public service as a State Representative while fostering his love for coaching here at CMA. ASCA Level II certified, Sean plays an important role in the Gold group. In his spare time, Sean also coaches the Scarborough High School Swim Team. Sean is well on his way to making a strong impact team-wide with his enthusiasm, excitement, energy, and serious commitment.

Eric French

Eric French, Assistant Coach, started swimming for the Bulls Eye Swim Club in 1988 before it merged with the Nautilus Swim Club to form CMA. Eric also swam all four years for South Portland High School where he was a team captain. Eric coaches the Bronze and Silver Groups and assists on a daily basis wherever he is needed. Chosen as an Assistant Coach for the 2008 & 2009 Winter Zone Teams, Eric has proven himself an invaluable support to all coaches and athletes he comes in contact with. An SMSOA high school swim official for several years, Eric also coaches football in the Cape Elizabeth school system. Eric is a graduate of Southern Maine Community College where he double-majored in Business Administration and Hotel Management. Eric's enthusiasm and dedication is contagious, and we are fortunate to have him part of CMA's family for many years to come.

Patrick McArdle

Patrick McArdle, Assistant Coach, works primarily with our Silver, Bronze, and Pre-Competitive Groups and assists with the Senior and Gold Groups. Patrick comes to CMA with an extensive Aquatics background. Recently joining the South Portland Recreation Department as an Assistant Supervisor of Aquatics, Patrick has also held the positions of Assistant Aquatics Director of the Portland Country Club and the YWCA of Portland. Having served as an age group coach at the Portland Porpoise Swim Club, Patrick also coached the boys swim team at Cheverus High School. Graduating from the Southern Maine Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice, Patrick also attended Springfield College.

 

Danielle Gravel

Danielle Gravel, Assistant Coach, works with virtually all levels on our club. Extremely intelligent and versatile, Danielle understands how to motivate all ages of athletes. A competitive swimmer for 12 years and former CMA Captain and Jamie Higgins Scholarship recipient, Danielle knows what it takes to be successful from a very early age. A recent transfer to the University of Southern Maine, Danielle received a swimming scholarship and competed at Division I University of Maine at Orono. As a math and education major at the University of Southern Maine, Danielle manages her time wisely and finds a way to give back to all the athletes at CMA. We look forward to many years of Danielle's leadership.

 

Brian Smith

Brian Smith, Assistant Coach, is welcomed back to CMA after graduating from the University of Maine with a major in Mechanical Engineering. Having competed on the UMO team for 4 years and numerous years with CMA and receiving the prestigious Jamie Higgins Award, Brian understands what it takes to be a successful Division I athlete while balancing the demands of his academics. Working with our National, Pre-National, Senior, and Gold athletes, Brian is not an advocate of mediocrity. Brian believes that consistent hard work and perseverance will lead you to success.