Jason Hunter - Head Coach 

Jason Hunter’s background in swimming was first established in Oak Harbor, Washington. He attended Whitworth University and earned an undergraduate degree in Biology and History in 2008. He also earned a masters in Teaching in 2009. While at Whitworth he was on the university swim team from 2005 to 2008. After graduation Jason worked with the university team and developed a weight program there.  Before joining the Thunderbirds he was an assistant coach with the large North Whidbey Aquatic Club and prior to that he was an assistant coach for the Spokane Waves team. He is a certified in Coaches Safety, Lifeguard, CPR/First Aid and is a Level One certified swim coach working towards Level Two.

Steve Olsen - Silver Coach 

Steve Olsen is the TAC assistant coach of the silver group and part of the week for the gold group, and has been coaching with Jason since September 2010. He has been involved with TAC off and on since 1980 when he assisted coaching the younger swimmers with head coach Dan Meyer, and also helped start the masters swim program then as well. Steve is an active swimmer year round and competed in high school, college and masters levels. His primary goal for the silver and gold swimmers is to help them develop their stroke technique, gain efficiency and strength in the water, so they can become successful junior and senior swimmers.

Steve lives in Anacortes with his wife Leigh, and son Eric. Since Eric is a swimmer he also serves as parent representative on the TAC board. When he’s not at the pool coaching or helping with a swim meet, the family enjoys hiking, surfing, sea kayaking, cross country and downhill skiing. Steve is a retired registered nurse and lastly worked for the Skagit County Public Health Department as an environmental health specialist. He currently is the program director of the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance and plans to retire from the position at the end of 2010 in order to devote more time to develop his coaching skills and Steve has been a parent representative for the Thunderbird Aquatic Club. He is also our newest member to the coaching staff.

Annie Conto - Bronze Coach 

"I have been a Competitive racer since 1988. My first swim coach went to the Olympics at the age of 28 for 200 Butterfly and needless to say I was inspired. In the early 90’s, I had the privilege to swim for a Japanese team. I learn to be punctual, race harder and set goals. If late, we sat the entire practice on our knees Japanese style.  It taught me discipline and respect for my coach and water. When I came to Whidbey in the late 90’s, I lost interest because my coach was not motivating. I still swam but it was not fun anymore. That changed when at 12, Sally asked us to start teaching swimming lessons. I discovered that I enjoyed watching a child learn to blow bubbles or get over the fear of jumping in. Swimming and the pool became enjoyable again. In 2000 and 2001, I first started coaching before going away to college.   In 2005, I was hired to coach the Bronze group in Oak Harbor.  2011, I had the privilege of joining the TAC crew as a coach. Coaching Bronze allows me to be creative in practices, and challenges me as a coach.   Some things it has taught me: leadership, children learn at different paces and in different ways, different things motivate different children, not everyone enjoys racing, team mates need to be encouraging, and “It is suppose to be fun”."

Jeff W Morrison - Masters Coach