Meet the Team
Aquaoaks Artistic Swimming Club is run by its coaches and committee, supported by assistant coaches, judges, team managers, poolside helpers and many other volunteers.
Beth Hook
Head Coach
Beth started swimming for the club when it was formed in 2012 and attend National competitions multiple times. Beth began coaching in 2019. In 2020, Beth began attending the University of British Columbia, Canada, where she represented her university nationally for 3 years, returning to coach at Aquaoaks every summer. After graduating in 2024, Beth moved back to the UK and became the lead coach for Aquaoaks' performance swimmers. Summer of 2025, Beth stepped into the role of Head Coach and coaches Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sundays.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Level 2 Artistic Swimming Judge
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5
- Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
Maria chandler
Head Coach Team
Maria started coaching synchro in 2023 and is now in charge of our novice and development swimmers. Maria is committed to the club, coaches 3 days a week, and is part of Aquaoaks' Masters Squad.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Judge
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
- Level 1 Team Manager
ALISON HOOK
Head Coach Team
Alison first started coaching synchronised swimming in 2012 when the club had just five members. Her commitment to synchro has seen the club grow to over sixty members in the last 11 years. Alison is also part of Aquaoaks' Masters Squad.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Level 3 Artistic Swimming Judge
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Grade 5
- Level 2 Swimming Teacher
- RLSS National Rescue Award for Teachers and Coaches
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
Claire terry
Head Coach Team
Claire started coaching synchro in 2023, having been a parent at the Aquaoaks for a few years. Claire has got stuck in, achieving her Level 2 Coach, Level 2 Judge, and Level 2 Team Manager to support the club. Claire is also part of Aquaoaks' Masters Squad.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Level 2 Artistic Swimming Judge
- Level 2 Team Manager
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
Gemma grobbelaar
Assistant Coach
Gemma started coaching artistic swimming in 2022. Gemma has been part of the club for several years, winning multiple national medals, and continues to compete as part of Aquaoaks' National Championship Squad this season. Gemma coaches figures for all abilities and leads our Masters Squad.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5 Silver
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
Stanley Stiff
Assistant Coach
Stanley is enjoying coaching our 13-18 Division 1 team this season. Stanley has been part of the club for eight years and recently transitioned from swimmer to coach. Stanley is training at Bird College, a vocational musical theatre school. He has attended two training sessions with the GB team twice, was part of the South East squad and won multiple national medals, including gold in the Mixed Duet.
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Qualifications include:
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5
- Enhanced DBS Check
Lotte Hilson
Assistant Coach
Lotte is coaching our Sunday figure training sessions this season. Lotte has been part of the club for six years and has been coaching for 2 seasons.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 2
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 3
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
Immy Brand
Assistant Coach
Immy is enjoying coaching our 12 & Under Duet Squad this season. She has been part of the club for five years and continues to compete as part of Aquaoaks' National Championship Squad.
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Qualifications include:
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
Lucy Sadler
Assistant Coach
Lucy has been part of the club for eight years and began coaching 3 years ago. Lucy has recently started university and coaches at Aquaoaks when she is home.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Caoch
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5 Silver
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
Katie Thomas
Coach
Katie has been part of the club since 2017. Katie won 1st place at London Regionals with her team in 2019 and achieved 7th place in the National Combo Cup. Katie is a Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach and is one of our wonderful cover coaches.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Judge
- Swim England Figure Grade 2
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
sarah fitz-gerald
Assistant Coach
Sarah has been part of the club for seven years and been coaching for the previous two seasons. Sarah continues to compete as part of Aquaoaks' National Championship Squad.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 1 Artsistic Swimming Coach
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5 Silver
- STA Safety Award for Teachers
- National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics
Club Captain
Ava Terry
Ava was voted Club Captain in September 2025.
A new Club Captain is selected every September by an anonymous member vote. The Club Captain is responsible for making sure everyone feels like a valued member of the team. Talking to them, trying to understand their feelings, supporting them and helping them to get back on track. Club Captains will also help to organise team dinners and other team-building activities.