Our Coaches
Tarin Allegretto
My name is Coach Tarin. I am owner of Otter Swim School & Team. I have worked with children from the time I was 9 years old up to now. I started as a mother's helper and continued to babysit, work in preschool settings, studied child psychology, and was a birthing doula for 12 years. I also taught surf lessons for 25 years. After one too many surf injuries I transitioned into the swim world. I am a USA Swimming certified coach, lifeguard, lifeguard instructor, and most importly mom of my own 3 amazing swimmers/coaches. I have coached swimmers, including my youngest daughter, up to Jr Championships (formerly known as Jr Olympics) levels. I love working with babies on water safety and confidence. I enjoy seeing children progress through their swimming levels. And helping adults reach their swimming goals. A fun fact about me is that my favorite Disney movie is Avatar Way Of The Water.
*Coach Tarin serves "At Home Private" lessons in Atlantic and Cape May Counties.*
Connor Buck
Hey, I’m Coach Connor! I am very passionate about teaching swimming as a life skill, activity, and sport. I began swimming at my community pool when I was young, where I took a liking to it. So, I joined the swim team. Fast forward 20 years, and I am a Rowan University swimming alumnus, swim coach, and swim teacher. I am skilled at teaching everything from "mommy and me" lessons to adult beginner swim lessons to elite swim technique lessons. Since everyone is different, my strategy to help every student succeed is to provide a safe, unique, and fun learning experience. I am certified in lifeguarding, CPR, AED, and First Aid through the Red Cross. A fun fact about me is that during college, I was a beach lifeguard in Wildwood, NJ, where I was a junior lifeguard counselor and competition swimmer.
*Coach Connor serves "At Home Private" lessons in Camden County.*
Talya Allegretto
Hi, I'm Coach Talya! This is my fifth summer teaching lessons with OSS, building on a lifelong passion for the water. I am a student midwife and hold multiple certifications from the Red Cross, including lifeguarding, babysitting, and CPR. My extensive experience working with children began at age eight, initially as a mother's helper and then as a babysitter. Outside of swimming, I'm a fan of pandas and my favorite colors are green and pink. I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for swimming with your children.
*Coach Talya serves "At Home Private" lessons in Atlantic, Cumberland, & Cape May Counties.*
Karen Larkin
I'm Coach Karen, My passion for the water began during my childhood summers in Ocean City, NJ. I swam competitively in my youth and continued swimming at Rider University. I bring over 10 years of experience as a teacher for students with disabilities. This background, combined with my love for the water, makes teaching swim lessons the perfect fit. I enjoy water activities, from boating and paddleboarding to kayaking. I'm excited to share my respect and love for the water with your children!
*Coach Karen serves "At Home Private" lessons in Atlantic and Cape May Counties.*
Maria Windle
Hi, I'm Maria! I've been swimming since I was 5 years old and compete for both club and high school teams. My favorite event to swim is the 100 backstroke. This is my fourth summer teaching swim lessons with Otter Swim School. I love teaching kids how to swim and helping them feel happy and confident in the water. My goal is to make every lesson fun, safe, and full of encouragement so every child feels safe and proud of what they can do!
Erynn Brady
Hello Friends! My name is Coach Erin. I am happy to be apart of Otter Swim School & Team. I started my competitive swim career at a young age traveling each weekend to swim meets, then becoming a division two student athletes in college. I was a double major in Marine Bololgy and General Biology. Most of my classes were by the ocean. I currently hold my advanced open water certification for SCUBA. I have experience in teaching infants and young children how to be safe around the water and how to swim efficiently. Also, I have been a lifeguard for more than ten years now. What can I say, I love studying marine life and the water. I hope to share my knowledge of swim in a fun effectivce way that will stick in you swimmer's head forever. Hope to meet new friends soon!
*Coach Erynn serves "At Home Private" lessons in Cape May County.*
Toby-Jo Allegretto
Hi, I am Coach Toby-Jo. I am a Club Team swimmer with Otters and High School swimmer with OCHS. I have accomplishments in 200 IM, freestyle, and breast stroke. I am CPR and AED Certified. I have competed in 2 Iron Mans. I have also completed a three mile swim across Lake Winnipesaukee twice. I enjoy playing Club LaCrosse. My favorite TV show is Phineas and Ferb.
My love for working with kids and my passion for swimming is what motivates me as an instructor. Whether I'm teaching little ones to paddle their way through the water or guiding them to build confidence in the pool, my dedication shines through. My enthusiasm for both activities creates a positive and nurturing environment where children can thrive. I will continue spreading joy through my love for swimming and working with kids!
*Coach TobyJo serves "At Home Private" lessons in Atlantic and Cape May Counties.*
Shannon Risko
My name is Coach shannon! I have been an ocean and pool lifeguard since 2017. I grew up at the Jersey shore and I swam competitively for 10 years. I am also a special education teacher at Middle Township Middle School. I have such a love and joy for teaching, and I absolutely adore kids! I strive to help students grow and become comfortable in the water.
I am lifeguard, AED, and CPR certified.
*Coach Shannon serves "At Home Private" lessons in Cape May County.*
Angela
Hi! My name is Angela. I’m a competitive swimmer who grew up in South Jersey. I have over 12 years of experience and my journey started with receiving lessons myself as a kid! I’m currently a collegiate swimmer at the Division III level where I have also taught swim lessons to children as part of a team fundraiser for the past 3 years. I am excited to be teaching lessons in my community and want to bring fun, enthusiasm, and comfort to learning how to swim! My goal is to meet my students where they’re at and help them achieve all their swim goals!
Franco Leehive
I’m Franco Leehive, very excited to be a part of Otter Swim School. As a marine biology student I have always loved the water and want to show others how amazing it can be. I have taught kids how to swim for three years this summer and am very experienced with working with special needs as well as younger children. I am very excited to be teaching this summer and can’t wait to see you!
*Coach Franco serves "At Home Private" lessons in Camden County.*
J.J. Hartsock
Hi! I'm Coach JJ. I've grown up on the water, thanks to my Coast Guard family. We have a boat, and during warmer months, I spend most of my free time boating, swimming, and fishing in the back bays. Learning to swim in those currents helped me become a strong swimmer. Outside of the water, I enjoy watching and playing football and lacrosse, spending time with friends and family, and dining out! I really enjoy working with kids and finding my inner youth while doing so. I am a certified in lifeguarding, CPR, AED, and First Aid through Red Cross. My goal is to help others become confident and strong in the water so they can enjoy it as much as I do!
Bryana Burke
Hi, I'm Coach Bryana, an OSS manager! This is my second summer with OSS. I'm a NCAA D2 swimmer at Kutztown University, where I study cinema television and media production. I'm also a certified lifeguard with 12 years of swimming experience and 7 years as a swim instructor. Fun fact: my favorite animal is a shark!
I'm offering at-home private lessons, managing at host pools, and lifeguarding private parties for OSS. I can't wait to share my love of the water with your little ones!
*Coach Bryana serves "At Home Private" lessons in Atlantic & Cape May Counties.*
Gianna Gonsalves
Hi, I'm Coach Bryana, an OSS manager! This is my second summer with OSS. I'm a NCAA D2 swimmer at Kutztown University, where I study cinema television and media production. I'm also a certified lifeguard with 12 years of swimming experience and 7 years as a swim instructor. Fun fact: my favorite animal is a shark!
I'm offering at-home private lessons, managing at host pools, and lifeguarding private parties for OSS. I can't wait to share my love of the water with your little ones!
*Coach Gianna serves "At Home Private" lessons in Atlantic, Cumberland, Gloucester, & Ocean Counties.*
Jackson Riggs
Greetings! I'm Coach Jackson. This marks my third season with Otter Swim School (OSS). I'm thrilled to be offering lessons at your home in addition to host pools this year. I've been a swimmer since before I can remember, and I hold Lifeguard, CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications through Red Cross. When summer rolls around, you can find me in Somers Point, living with my Nana. A fun fact about me: my favorite movie is Surf's Up!
I'm looking forward to sharing my passion for the water with your children.
*Coach Jackson serves "At Home Private" lessons in Atlantic, Cumberland, & Cape May Counties.*
Jusuf Ayaz
Hello! My name is Coach Yusuf and this is my second summer teaching swim lessons for Otters Swim School. I am Red Cross certified for lifeguarding and CPR training and also an avid swimmer. I am currently a college student studying business and I am striving to achieve greatness in my field. My hobbies include Pickleball, Spikeball, Hanging out with friends(especially at the beach) and working out. My goals this summer are to build a bigger connection with my students and to ensure their growth as swimmers.
Josie Moser
Hi! I'm Coach Josie, and I am so excited to be working with the Otter Swim School and helping to teach new swimmers how to swim! I am currently also a certified lifeguard, and have been for several years, and I love to swim in my free time. Also in my free time, I enjoy performing with colorguard programs such as Rowan University's, where I am a student, and Light Brigade, where we competed in the World Class division! I also used to be a daycare and preschool teacher, and I love spending time with children! I'm so excited to work with so many amazing individuals and help them swim!
*Coach Josie serves "At Home Private" lessons in Camden, Gloucester & Burlington Counties.*