"Coaches"
Our Amazing Staff
Crystalia Blake
Head Coach
Inspiring Champions, Empowering Futures
Crystalia’s passion for artistic swimming began with a few “try-it” lessons that quickly ignited her competitive spirit. She loved the blend of athletic challenge and artistic freedom—where imagination takes center stage and the heartbeat of the music is interpreted in every movement. Eager to share her newfound passion, she began coaching in 2009. After a significant injury, she turned adversity into opportunity by founding the Aqua Angels Synchro Team in 2014, with a mission to create a safe and nurturing environment for athletes. At the same time, she assisted the College of William and Mary’s Synchro Team by helping choreograph their routines and refine their figures.
Leadership & Development
After three successful years coaching her Aqua Angels and relocating to Florida in 2017, she passionately led the Gainesville Gaviatas as head coach for four years. To enhance her coaching expertise, Crystalia completed an internship with USA Artistic Swimming (USAAS), conducted by premier USA coaches Ludi Perrin-Stsepaniuk and Hiea-Yoon Kang. Upon returning to Gainesville, she re-established the Aqua Angels Artistic Swimming Team with a renewed vision: to create a safe, positive, and compassionate environment for athletes, inspiring them to maximize their potential and, through her nurturing leadership, find their “Champion Within.”
Coaching Philosophy & Team Values
A USA Artistic Swimming Certified Coach (CCP Level 3) and Level 2 judge, Crystalia has shaped her team’s core values to reflect that she is a passionate advocate for fostering an environment of positivity and harmony, which enables athletes to thrive, feel empowered, and supported.
Community Engagement
Dedicated to sharing this sport with the community, she is committed to cultivating the next generation of confident, compassionate coaches and athletes, inspiring future generations to celebrate and promote the sport within our communities.
Beyond the Pool
Coach Crystalia is pursuing her education at the University of Florida in Leadership, Sports Management, and Physical Therapy, focusing on injury prevention specific to artistic swimming. She also enjoys courses on child psychology, sports psychology and emotional intelligence. In her free time, she has fun kayaking, reading, crafting, and event planning, always bringing her vibrant energy into everything she does.
You can reach Coach Crystalia at [email protected]
Zaira Diaz Goodwin
Lead Assistant Coach
Precision & Performance in Artistic Swimming
Zaira’s love for artistic swimming began a decade ago. Under Coach Crystalia’s guidance, she improved her technique and developed a competitive edge, unlocking the hidden “champion within,” qualifying for the National Junior Olympic Championships. She later joined the University of Florida’s Synchro Team, and now competes in Masters events and performs in water shows, transforming the water into her fluid canvas as she weaves emotionally compelling stories merged with technical precision with confidence and theatrical brilliance.
Coaching with Energy & Precision
With seven years of coaching experience, Zaira brings enthusiasm and expertise as Aqua Angels’ Lead Assistant Coach. Her sharp eye for precision and muscle isolation helps swimmers refine their technique and master body awareness.
Philosophy: Passion, Fun & Commitment
Zaira’s coaching philosophy is rooted in passion, laughter, and unwavering dedication. She motivates athletes with energetic encouragement, a sense of fun, and uplifting camaraderie, cultivating a supportive yet challenging environment that pushes them to excel. Whether preparing for competitions, perfecting routines for water shows, or simply embracing artistic swimming for pure enjoyment, she encourages every swimmer to strive for their maximum potential.
Beyond the Pool
A USA Artistic Swimming Certified Coach (CCP Level 2), lifeguard, and swim instructor, Zaira is also pursuing a degree in natural resource conservation at the University of Florida. She tutors various levels of algebra, crafts jewelry, and enjoys a good book.
A Mentor & Leader in Our Community
More than a coach, Zaira is a mentor, role model, and inspiring leader. Join us again in welcoming Coach Zaira to Aqua Angels!
You can reach Coach Zaira at [email protected]
Katherine Canev
Assistant Coach
A Passion for Artistic Swimming
Kathy’s journey in artistic swimming began in fourth grade when she first dipped her toes into the synchro world by becoming a recreational swimmer. Under Coach Crystalia’s guidance, she evolved into a focused competitor, sharpening her technique and blossoming in confidence. Now, she captivates audiences with dynamic water show performances, blending elegant theatrical artistry with powerful routines.
A Mentor Who Uplifts and Supports
With six years of coaching experience, Assistant Coach Kathy guides athletes toward excellence through expert techniques and strategic training methods. She helps swimmers perfect their form, enhance their artistry, and build confidence. Her vibrant energy and uplifting motivation empowers athletes to reach their goals while elevating their endurance, showmanship, and performance skills.
Coaching Philosophy: A Balance of Compassion and Discipline
Kathy has shaped a well-rounded coaching philosophy—one that seamlessly blends compassion, discipline, and a commitment to excellence. She emphasizes a focused mindset with attention to detail, ensuring athletes grow into confident performers which enables them to confidently shine as champions both in and out of the water!
Beyond the Pool
A USA Artistic Swimming Certified Coach (CCP Level 1), Kathy is pursuing a degree in biochemistry at the University of Florida. Her diverse interests include painting, baking, and astrophysics, fueling her curiosity about the universe’s wonders.
Inspiring Confidence, Discipline, and Excellence
Whether coaching on the Aqua Angels deck or dazzling in the water, Coach Kathy inspires athletes to be confident, disciplined, and excelling in artistic excellence—one graceful performance at a time.
Coach Kathy can be reached at [email protected]
Lilikoi
Part-Time Assistant Coach
Lilikoi’s Journey in Artistic Swimming
Lilikoi has spent the past nine years training under Coach Crystalia, dedicating herself to cultivating her technique, building endurance, developing strength, and mastering complex choreography. Her commitment has shaped her into a versatile performer excelling in solo, duet, and team performances—most notably earning 13th nationally for her solo at the National Junior Olympic Championships.
Commitment to Training, Positive Energy & Creative Choreography
Lilikoi’s rigorous training has given her a deep understanding of the commitment and discipline required to excel in artistic swimming. Full of positive energy and playful humor, she ensures that every practice is both productive and enjoyable. Her choreography thrives on bringing music into a living expressive experience in a way that enchants swimmers, mesmerizes judges, and inspires audiences.
Coaching Philosophy & Approach
Now in her third year as a part-time assistant coach, Lilikoi provides personalized guidance tailored to each swimmer’s learning style and uses creative, outside-the-box methods to explain techniques—helping athletes discover what truly clicks for them as they learn and master figures. She emphasizes efficient water-grabbing techniques, assisting athletes in optimizing their form to achieve maximum height and control. With a strong belief that individualized attention makes all the difference in an athlete’s progress and confidence, Lilikoi empowers swimmers to grow as both athletes and artists.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Swimmers
Fueled by her passion for the sport and her innovative coaching style, Lilikoi inspires athletes to push their limits while nurturing confidence, creativity, and a lasting love for artistic swimming— all through training sessions that are both fun and engaging.
Cheyenne
Part-Time Assistant Coach
Cheyenne’s Journey in Artistic Swimming
Cheyenne’s passion for artistic swimming ignited nine years ago when she was instantly drawn to its positive energy of exciting and fun swim routines. From her first competition under the training of Coach Crystalia, she knew she had found something extraordinary—an outlet for her to express herself with limitless creativity. She has refined her technique, sharpened her competitive and showmanship skills, and continues to thrive artistically — always keeping the fun alive.
Expressing Emotion Through Art
Cheyenne radiates in every water show performance, blending theatrical flair with bold, expressive movement to create fun, show stopping routines that exude confidence and stage presence. For her, artistic swimming is more than a sport—it’s a powerful form of self-expression. Known for her strength in high-energy performances and commanding presence, she captivates audiences with her fearless ability to convey deep emotion through dramatic facial expressions and body language in her artistical music interpretation. Whether embodying the magic of Broadway-style routines or gliding through a graceful, fluid piece, Cheyenne brings characters to life through cinematic storytelling, synchronized precision, and a signature expressiveness that leaves a lasting impression.
Inspiring Coach: Pushing Boundaries with Confidence
Now in her third year as a part-time assistant coach, Cheyenne helps athletes embrace their uniqueness, step out of their comfort zones, overcome mental blocks—including the fear of judgment —and perform fearlessly. She builds confidence in movement and expression, reinforcing that being “a little extra” in artistic swimming is a mindset, a way to fully immerse oneself in a performance and engage the audience.
Loyalty, Teamwork, and Lifelong Bonds
Cheyenne values the spirit of loyalty and teamwork, recognizing how the Aqua Angel teammates support one another through the life’s challenges and the pressures performances can bring. Together, they strive for excellence while building friendships, transforming the team into a lifelong family.
A Vision for the Future
Cheyenne’s path with artistic swimming continues by inspiring the next generation of young swimmers to celebrate their uniqueness, embrace their creative voice, and command the pool with fearless authenticity— always remembering to have fun and swim with all their heart.
Molly
Part-Time Assistant Coach
Molly’s Journey in Artistic Swimming
With a strong foundation in dance, Molly discovered her true passion when she transitioned into artistic swimming—where movement, music, and athleticism beautifully collide. Nine years ago, she began training under the supportive guidance of Coach Crystalia —a journey that led to a proud moment on the national stage at the National Junior Olympic Championships, where she showcased both her technical precision and artistic flare.
A Dynamic Performer
When time allows, Molly steps in to coach, competes in Masters events, or may grace the stage with her presence, delivering breathtaking displays of aquatic brilliance at our water shows. Her mastery of acrobatic routines mesmerizes audiences, who are left in awe of her fluidity, strength, and grace.
Coaching & Mentorship
Passionate about mentoring young athletes, her coaching style focuses on creative, outside-the-box choreography featuring unique figures and transitions. She places a strong emphasis on flexibility, posture, maximum height—and, of course those all-important pointed toes!
Continuing to Inspire
In her third year serving as part-time assistant coach for the Aqua Angels, she encourages swimmers to push their limits, embrace imaginative acrobatic concepts that flow with the music, and fine-tune their technical excellence.
Whether competing in Masters or electrifying spectators with her acrobatic artistry, Molly keeps artistic swimming fresh, fierce, and full of energy. She’s all about sharing her passion and know-how to help the next generation level up and keep the sport evolving.
Patti Tucker
Treasurer
Patti’s Journey in Education, Fitness, and Community Engagement
After dedicating 30 years as an elementary school teacher and twice earning the title “Teacher of the Year,” Patti retired in 2012 but remained committed to personal growth and physical activity. Urged by her personal trainer, she earned certifications in Pilates Mat, Reformer, and Barre.
Discovering Artistic Swimming
In 2016, Patti was introduced to artistic swimming when the daughter of a close friend joined a local team. She quickly realized how much she missed engaging with young people and found artistic swimming to be the perfect fusion of athleticism, creativity, and community.
Volunteer Service and Engagement
Since 2017, Patti has volunteered as treasurer. With sharp organizational, financial, and administrative skills, she ensures the team remains on solid ground. She possesses a warm, approachable nature, complemented by strong communication skills that shine through in her interactions with parents, athletes, and fellow volunteers on and off the pool deck.
Building Strength, Creativity, and Community
Like synchronized movements in a beautifully choreographed routine, Patti’s dedication to education, fitness, and volunteerism flows harmoniously with the artistry of the sport, as her passion and leadership ripple throughout the community, leaving waves of impact.
You can contact Patti at [email protected]
Part-Time Coaches
Lilikoi
Jr Assistant Coach
Liliko’s Competitive Swim Journey
Liliko is a dedicated and accomplished competitive swimmer who has spent eight years refining her craft in the water. Under the expert guidance of Coach Crystalia for seven of those years, she worked tirelessly to develop her skills, earning an impressive 13th-place ranking at the Junior Olympics for her solo performance.
Commitment to Training & Coaching
Her years of rigorous training have given her a deep understanding of the commitment and discipline it takes to excel in the sport. Now stepping into a coaching role, Liliko brings a unique blend of kindness, wisdom beyond her years, and an innovative teaching approach. She thrives on finding creative ways to explain techniques outside the box, taking the time to tailor her guidance to each individual swimmer’s learning style rather than rushing through instruction. She firmly believe that personalized attention makes all the difference in an athletes progress.
Positive Energy & Creative Choreography
Full of positive energy and quick wit, Liliko ensures that every practice is both productive and enjoyable. Her creativity in choreography has flourished, thanks to Coach Crystalia’s encouragement in exploring movement, emotional expression, and hybrid techniques that enhance the artistry of a performance. She knows how to bring music to life through choreography, emphasizing the emotional peaks of each song in a way that captivates both swimmers and audiences alike.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Swimmers
With her passion for the sport and her innovative coaching style, Liliko continues to inspire swimmers to push their limits while making every training session fun and engaging.
Cheyenne
Jr Assistant Coach
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Molly
Assistant Coach
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Reviews
Our coaches fun-loving personalities
shine while sharing their values of
respect and integrity,
helping every athlete feel valued,
as evidenced in these testimonials.
Reviews
Our coaches fun-loving personalities
shine while sharing their values of
respect and integrity,
helping every athlete feel valued,
as evidenced in these testimonials.
Our Values
Enriching our community
by teaching artistic swimming in a
nurturing environment,
guiding athletes in goals
with the spirit of excellence,
encouraging loyalty to teammates
through teamwork!
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Inspiring your Inner Champion today!
