Trina Dykstra-MacPherson

Program Director, Provincial Coach & Choreographer

Trina Dykstra-MacPherson is the Program Director at the Gananoque Skating Club. She has been coaching with the club since 2022 and has been a figure skating coach since 2017. Trina is a Provincial Coach and Choreographer in both Singles and Ice Dance, as well as a qualified STAR 6-Gold Skills & Artistic Coach Assessor. Her diverse skating background includes competitive skating up to the Novice Women level, varsity skating from 2019-2023, and adult skating. In addition to coaching, Trina volunteers as a Section-Level Technical Specialist in Singles and a STAR 1-4 Event Assessor. Outside of figure skating, Trina has a strong academic background. She completed both her BScH and MSc in Biochemistry (2024 & 2026, respectively) at Queen’s University, along with a Business Certificate from the Smith School of Business and a Disability and Physical Activity Certificate from the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies. Trina is excited to continue sharing her passion for skating and supporting the growth and development of skaters at the Gananoque Skating Club!

Alex Wright

Provincial Coach & Choreographer

Alex Wright is an NCCP Provincial Coach & Choreographer in the Singles and Pairs disciplines. Having been a former Novice competitive skater, Alex has a wealth of knowledge in the competitive skating world, and is also a Senior Sectional Technical Specialist in Singles. Alex is also the Head Coach of the Queen's Varsity Figure Skating Team. Alex completed her BScH in Kinesiology at Queen's University in 2024. Outside of the rink, Alex is a Paediatric Registered Kinesiologist with K-TOWN Kids Physiotherapy, working with youth and young athletes maintaining healthy and active lifestyles. 

Lisa Janssen

Provincial Coach

Lisa is an NCCP Provincial level coach with 32 years of experience.  For the past 26 years she has been the Head Coach for the Kingston Silver Blades, Special Olympics Figure Skating program.  She has coached Special Olympics skaters who compete at the Provincial, National, and International levels.  Lisa works full time as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist for KidsInclusive and has recently added a small private OT practice with K-TOWN Kids Physiotherapy.  She is a mom to a competitive figure skater and a competitive swimmer.  Lisa began her coaching journey with the Gananoque Skating Club last season as a substitute coach and is looking forward to joining the coaching team on the Tuesday STARSkate sessions during the 2026-2027 season!

Christian Nainer

Regional Coach & Dance Partner

Christian is a Regional Coach who brings both international and domestic competitive experience to the Gananoque Skating Club. He competed internationally in Junior Singles and at the Pre-Novice level in Ice Dance before transitioning into coaching. Christian has been coaching with Gananoque Skating Club since 2024, working with skaters from CanSkate through STARSkate, with a focus on Singles and Ice Dance. He also partners skaters for Ice Dance assessments and enjoys helping skaters grow both technically and artistically. Christian looks forward to sharing his passion and experience with the club’s skaters!

Zach Freedman

Regional Coach & Harness Specialist

Zach has been coaching since 2019, with a primary focus on jumps and harness work both on and off the ice. Drawing on his experience competing internationally in the Pairs Discipline, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge with the next generation of skaters!

Amanda Mathieu

Regional Coach

Amanda is a trained regional coach and is currently working towards her certification. Amanda loves to work with skaters of all ages and levels. Currently Amanda works with skaters in the Gananoque and Kingston area. Amanda continues to skate herself working towards her STARSkate level assessments. Amanda has recently achieved her STAR 1-4 Event Assessor certification. During the day Amanda works as a Registered Practical Nurse at a long term care home in Kingston specializing in wound care and continence.

Carrie McNeeley

Regional Coach

Carrie started skating with the Gananoque Skating Club in 1979 and coached here from 1997 to 2004. After two decades away she returned in 2024 first as an adult skater and now coach.  She is an NCCP Certified Regional Coach and teaches CanSkate, CanSkate Fast Track, and STARSkate. She has completed her STAR 1-5 Coach Assessor Training. Carrie also serves as Club Treasurer. When she isn’t on the ice she owns and runs an accounting office. She is excited to be back for another season with the club she grew up in.

Quinn Hook

CanSkate Coach

Quinn is a trained CanSkate coach and is currently working towards his certification. Currently Quinn works with skaters in the Gananoque and Kingston area. Quinn continues to skate himself, and is working towards his STARSkate level assessments. He has competed in pairs and synchronized skating and is still competing in singles. Outside the rink Quinn is a math and science enthusiast, Class of '28.

Ava Deryaw

CanSkate Coach

Ava is excited to be joining the coaching team at the Gananoque Skating Club this year! She has been skating since she was 3½ and has been a Program Assistant with the club for several years. Ava recently passed her Gold Skills and is currently working toward her Gold Artistic and Gold Dances. She loves the friendships she has made through skating and the excitement of achieving new skills. Ava especially enjoys watching the younger skaters progress throughout the season and helping them feel comfortable and confident as they learn. Outside of skating, Ava plays volleyball and track and field at school, works part-time, and loves spending time with her friends. She is caring, funny and hardworking, and is looking forward to sharing her love of skating with her CanSkate skaters this season!

Mia Janssen

CanSkate Coach

Mia is a CanSkate coach currently in Grade 11. She has been figure skating for 13 years, and skating has always been a huge part of her life. She loves sharing her passion for skating with younger skaters and helping them build their skills, confidence, and love for the sport. She is excited to help make skating fun, encouraging, and rewarding for every skater!

George Waddell

Dance Partner

Although George is not a coach, he is the dance partner for all of our Gananoque Skaters, and for that we are extremely grateful to him for helping our skaters progress in assessing ice dance. George does partnering at other local clubs, and when he isn’t in the rink, he is studying as a BCom/JD student at Queen’s University. George also helps the Queen’s Varsity Figure Skating Team.

Emily Clark

Substitute Coach

Emily Clark began coaching in 2022. She is currently working on attaining her provincial training. She competed in singles and synchronized skating and she loves to share her passion for all things skating. In addition, she is a STAR 6 to Gold Skill Assessor. She loves coaching all levels of skating and enjoys helping skaters reach their goals. Emily also coaches at Fort Henry Heights Skating Club, Kingston Skating Academy, Kingston Synchronized Skating Club, and she is member of the Queen's Varsity Figure Skating Club’s coaching staff. Outside the rink, Emily studies History and Drama at Queen’s University as she pursues a MA. She also works at Fort Henry as a military interpreter in the offseason. She is looking forward to another year in Gananoque as a substitute coach!