Leadership Team

It takes a lot of people working behind the scenes to ensure we provide the best possible training environment for all swimmers.

All members of this team are volunteers. From time to time we have vacancies for further volunteers to support the team. If that’s what you’re interested in, please keep an eye on this page.

 
 

Emma France: Company Director, Head Coach

Emma is the company director for Paddlefish Panda Ltd. Dover Channel Training operates as a brand within the company.

Emma first experience in the English Channel was a relay in 2005. Since that time Emma has completed:

  • 3 x English Channel Solos

  • 20 x English Channel Relays with both the CSA and CS&PF

  • Round Jersey Solo

  • Jersey to France Solo

  • SCAR

  • Windermere

  • Lake Zurich

  • And several other adventures

Emma has known both success and failure, so is likely to be able to understand where you are.

Emma’s diverse experience and qualifications enable her to support you in multiple different ways.

Emma is a Chartered Management Accountant; holds an MBA; is a Master Hypnotist; Master Practitioner of NLP; Practitioner of Time Line Therapy (™); Motivational Maps practitioner; Level 2 Open Water Coach; Level 2 Swimming Coach; Level 2 Swimming Teacher.

When away from the beach, Emma holds down a full time corporate role focusing on finance transformation. She also provides 1:1 coaching and swimming teaching sessions.

Emma is Head Coach and a Level 2 volunteer.

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Mandi Bodemeaid: Safeguarding Lead

Mandi is a senior manager in a charity (Kent Association for the Blind). Anyone who works in the charity sector is used to going the extra mile, to making what you have go a long way and doing the very best for those you are there to help. Mandi also has a shared background with Emma in that they were both trampolining coaches (though she was far better than I could ever aspire to).

Mandi has completed several channel relays with both the CS&PF and CSA including a 3 person relay with 1 hour rotations.

Mandi’s coaching experience is evident in the way that she teases the best performances out of people.

After her 3 person relay in 2016, Mandi gave back and volunteered on the beach from 2017.

Watch out for Mandi minutes though!!

Mandi is a Level 2 Coach and a Level 2 volunteer.