Amanda joined the Tide Swimming staff as Swim School Director in October 2021. After completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Missouri in 2007, Amanda moved to the Virginia Beach area to join the YMCA of South Hampton Roads where she served in a variety of roles and positions for 13 years, most recently the Executive Director of the YMCA JT's Camp Grom.

Experience in marketing, program development, aquatic knowledge and a love of working with people are all skills she has brought to the TIDE organization. Amanda's love of the water started in her early years when she joined the Liberty Hills Gators swim team at the age of six, accepting her first coaching position at the age of sixteen. From teaching swim lessons, working swim meets, to providing safety around water or leading a team, Amanda is grateful her skills have allowed her to share this passion with others throughout her life.

Amanda enjoys working for an organization that practices achievement through hard work, consistency and diligence, as well as shows a strong commitment to its athletes, their families, and their staff team.

Coach Emily joined TIDE in August 2018 as an assistant coach at the Taylor Bend YMCA. Emily has been involved with swimming her entire life. She grew up in Portsmouth and swam for a local club team and her high school team. Emily went on to attend Mary Washington University and swam all four years, from 1999-2003. Emily graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and continued her education into graduate school, earning a Master's in Education, specializing in Instructional Technology, in 2004. Emily teaches fifth grade for Chesapeake Public Schools at Chittum Elementary. She has coached swimmers from beginners to state qualifiers. She has coached Prenovice, Novice, Developmental Silver, Developmental Gold, Age Group Bronze, and Age Group Silver. During the summers, Emily uses her experience in swim instruction by directing operations and instruction for Tide Swim School at Great Bridge Swim & Racquet Club.

"Hi, my name is Ella Arbuckle, and I have been swimming since I was six years old. This is my second year on Tide, at the Princess Anne YMCA. My favorite events are the 500 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. I am currently a sophomore at Granby High School in the International Baccalaureate Program.

Some of my favorite things to do include spending time with my friends, baking, and reading. Tide has been an amazing experience for me and I am super excited so share my love of swimming!”

"I am a very passionate swimmer who loves working with kids. I am very excited to be a part of this program!"

Coach Brody is a swimmer on our team who loves swimming and surfing! When he isn't by or in the water, he is probably asleep or eating. He is a second-year coach for Tide Swim School, and the photo shows him competing for us in the annual Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service's Open Water 1-mile swim at the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

"I have been swimming competitively for eight years now and on TIDE for almost two years in Senior Gold at Great Bridge. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family, reading, and spending time outside. I have loved the water all my life, and I am so excited to share that love with kids!"

"I joined Tide in 2014 and I currently train in the Senior Gold group at the Princess Anne YMCA. When I was six, I started swimming in the summer for the Alanton Bolts and I still enjoy doing that! This is my first year being a part of the Tide Swim School program.

I attend Norfolk Academy and am a rising junior. I am also a member of the varsity swim team at NA. My favorite strokes are freestyle and backstroke. Some of my favorite hobbies are going to the beach, hanging out with friends, painting, and playing with my dog - a golden retriever named Kit.

I am so excited to coach Swim School this summer because swimming has provided me with so many fun and memorable experiences, so I hope that everyone will be able to have those, too."

Coach Anna joined TIDE as a swimmer in 2016 and began coaching in 2022. She currently trains in the Senior Gold group at the Princess Anne YMCA with Coach Scott. She specializes in long-distance freestyle events and events over 200 meters/yards. Anna is a student at First Colonial High School in the Legal Studies Academy and is always challenging herself academically. She is in multiple AP classes and her hobbies include reading, being a part of SCA, and many different clubs at First Colonial High School! Anna's favorite food is anything from Trader Joe's (specifically avocados and peanut butter) and her favorite games are anagrams. Anna enjoys being a TIDE swimmer because it gives her a chance to interact with so many different people every day and learn how to be a good teammate and leader. She loves swimming competitively and is excited to share her passion with younger swimmers.