Holly Hjartarson
HEAD COACH
Holly Hjartarson has been coaching with Aquatica Synchro since the club formed in 2009. Before transitioning to the head coach role, she was a senior coach within the club, coaching Aquatica’s competitive athletes and assisting with recreational programs.
Holly also coached the 2015 Manitoba Provincial team and has worked as Programs Development Coordinator for Synchro Swim Manitoba for 5 years. She was also selected as an apprentice coach for Synchro Canada’s 13-15 National team in 2016.
Holly has been involved in synchronized swimming since she started swimming when she was 9 in 2000. She competed at her first Canadian Nationals soon after in 2004 and competed in national events all over Canada until 2013. She has also competed at US Junior Nationals as well as the France Open. She now swims as a Competitive Masters athlete and swam at the 2014 World FINA Masters in Montreal.
Holly has won many provincial events over the years including the Team, Duet, Solo and Combination event and made it to the podium nationally for Senior Duet and Team. She has had the honor of representing her fellow athletes throughout her athletic career as both Athlete Representative for Synchro Swim Manitoba and Western Athlete Representative for Western Canada on Synchro Canada’s Athlete Council. In 2009 she was awarded an Athlete award from Synchro Canada for community service.
Holly started her coaching career when she was 15 in 2006. She has coached at many levels and ages since then in both recreational and competitive streams. She is a Competition Development NCCP Certified and is a Learning Facilitator for synchro coaching courses. She is currently working on her Advance Coaching Diploma and will be the first synchronized swimming coach in Manitoba to have completed this training.
Holly holds a Physical Education degree, and Education Degree from the University of Manitoba and taught Grades 1 & 2 at an inner city school before shifting her full career focus to coaching.