Coaching Staff

Coach Tony

Coach Alex

Coach Gianna

Coach Bruna

Coach Val

Tidal Waves Coaching Staff

Coach Tony likes to say that he has a “love-love relationship” with swimming. As a youth, he competed in New England Swimming first through his USA Swimming club team, The Attleboro Bluefish, and then at Bishop Hendricken High School. He went on to compete at the University of Notre Dame, and his swimming teammates are still his best friends. He started his coaching career right after college graduation, first in Maine and then in Colorado. After a decade away from the pool, he found his way back to coaching once his kids were in the water! He is currently the Head Coach of the East Providence Boys and Girls Club Tidal Waves and coaches summers at the Seekonk Swim and Tennis Club. His two daughters are on both teams, and his wife Jeni is also involved. Tony is in the Rhode Island Swimming Hall of Fame, the Monogram Club at the University of Notre Dame, and the Bishop Hendricken Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Tony believes in holding himself and his athletes to high standards, and that hard work can and should be fun.

Coach Alex is a dedicated and experienced swim coach with a lifelong passion for the sport. A decorated age-group swimmer, she competed for Patriot Swim Club in Acton, MA, Phillips Academy Andover, and Northeastern University. After earning her degree, Alex coached at Patriot Swim Club from 2009 to 2014, guiding swimmers of all skill levels, including those at the national level. After a break to focus on her nursing career and raise her family, she returned to coaching in 2023 with the East Providence Boys and Girls Club Tidal Waves. She also coaches at Seekonk Swim and Tennis Club during the summers and works as an elementary school nurse during the school year. Alex is committed to the physical, mental, and emotional growth of her athletes, striving to shape well-rounded individuals who succeed both in the pool and in life. Coach Alex resides in East Providence with her husband and two children.

Coach Gianna participated in New England Swimming from a young age. She holds many records at Bayview Academy, where she was a captain for her high school swim team. Gianna was recruited by and swam for Tulane University, during which time she won the 400 Y IM at the American Athletic Conference Championships with a time of 4:12.98. She spent many summers lifeguarding at Narragansett Town Beach, and is passionate about water safety and making sure all kids have access to swim lessons. Gianna graduated from Tulane with a degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education, and is currently teaching in the Pre-K program at The Wheeler School. Coach Gi is well loved by all the kids at Tidal Waves!

Coach Bruna has been swimming her entire life, and considers the water "oxygen for her soul." She was born in Portugal, started swimming as a toddler, and was competing by age three. She joined the East Providence Boys and Girls Club Tidal Waves Swim Team when she came to the United States in 2000, and was honored as the EPBGC Youth of the Year in 2010. Bruna also swam for East Providence High School, where she was team captain and received the Outstanding Swimmer Award for three consecutive years. From 2015 to 2018, Bruna coached the North Providence Barracudas while she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. When she is not at the pool, you can find her at the hospital working as an anesthesia technician supervisor. Joining her former team as a coach has been an incredible gift in Bruna's life, and she aims to support all of our Tidal Waves swimmers in reaching their fullest potential. Her quote to live by: Swimming isn't just a sport, it's a way of life!

Coach Val is from Chicago and came to Rhode Island to study at Providence College. She grew up swimming and playing waterpolo for Chicago Park District. Val was a varsity captain of both her high school swimming and water polo teams. Her love for the water led her to coaching - first at Midtown Athletic Clubs in Chicago and now at the EPBGC Tidal Waves. She is happy to have coaching in her life as she completes her studies in economics and data science at Providence College. Val's favorite inspirational quote is "start strong and finish stronger." Val models hard work, kindness, and compassion for our swimmers and we are happy to have her on deck with the Tidal Waves!