The SLAP Story & Vision
Swim Like A Pro started in 2013 with a passion for triathlon, swimming, adventure racing, swimrun, and so much more. The SLAP coaches have participated, competed, and instructed at all levels of endurance sports. With this experience, SLAP aims to provide the highest quality of professional coaching for every athlete in our program.
We have multiple coaching accreditations, certifications, and years of education and experience in triathlon, swimming, and every other multi-sport event possible! We enjoy sharing our knowledge with beginners and experienced athletes alike to help everyone reach their goals in sport.
The primary goal of SLAP is providing a path to success while ensuring that you enjoy the journey. We encourage a balance of family, work, and sport so you still have fun and enjoy competing in this sport for many years.
You can find the #SLAPPERS representing the team and accomplishing their personal goals at many events around the country. Come join the team and let’s see what we can accomplish together!
SLAP Coaching Staff
Head Coach Sara McLarty
Sara@Swim-Like-a-Pro.com
USA Triathlon Coach: Level 2 & Youth/Junior
USA Triathlon Elite Team Leader/Head Coach – Pan American Games, World Championships, World Triathlon Series, World Cups (2015-present)
US Masters Swimming: Level 2
American Red Cross: Lifeguard/First-Aid/CPR/AED
Professional Triathlete – 2005-present, 2 x Pan Am Games, multiple World Championship teams, Lifetime Fitness/Toyota Cup Champion 2010
Professional Swimmer – 2004-2007, 4th at Olympic Trials, Silver Medal at World Championships, Bronze Medal at World Championships
Competed in the Elite/Professional World Championships event in 7 sports – Pool swimming (400m freestyle), open water swimming (5k), aquathlon (World Champion), lifesaving (World Champion & World Record Holder), triathlon (6 times), adventure racing, & Otillo swimrun (highest finishing American team to date).
Creativity and fun are two words that best describe Sara’s coaching methods at group training or during private technique sessions. Her personal career spanned 25 years of training and racing while representing the USA and winning medals at multiple World Championship events. She has competed in swimming, open water swimming, triathlon, aquathon, swim/run, lifesaving and adventure racing. Sara travels as the Team Leader with the USA Triathlon Elite National team to the ITU World Triathlon Series Events. You can also find her swim technique articles and Quick Sets and more in Triathlete Magazine.
Learn more about Coach Sara McLarty here…
Assistant Coach Michelle Kneer
USA Triathlon – Youth & Junior Coach
American Red Cross: First-Aid/CPR/AED
CrossFit – Level 1 Coach
Coach Michelle is a fantastic and patient teacher with the #miniSLAPPERS. She has been a huge asset to the team since starting in 2019. Her coaching passion is the development of youth and adult athletes with the sport of triathlon and swimming.
Michelle coaches the SLAP Masters Swim group in St. Cloud and the SLAP Youth group in Melbourne/St. Cloud area. Her background in triathlon and CrossFit bring constantly changing workouts that are challenging and fun!
Fun fact: Coach Michelle has completed 3 full Ironman triathlons!
Assistant Coach Kris Koepp
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Former USA Triathlon Coach: Level 1 & Youth & Junior
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Former US Masters Swimming & USA Swimming Coach
We are excited to welcome Kris & the Koepp Family to Central Florida from the cold winter of Minnesota! Kris ran a very successful youth triathlon program in Rochester and produced National Champion athletes! All of our athletes will benefit from the knowledge and expertise that Kris brings to the team.
Assistant Coach Dave Cracknell
Coached High School swim teams and Triathlon teams in New Zealand to several National Championships
Member of multiple Canadian National Triathlon teams and competed in the Commonwealth Games in 1990 in New Zealand
Kona, Hawaii Ironman World Championship finisher
Swam for Queen’s University in Canada
Coach Dave’s 30 years of professional swim and triathlon coaching experience spans several countries (New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the USA). He has coached swimmers and triathletes of all ages and abilities from learn-to-swim/learn-to-tri to age groupers to Olympians! 2020 is Dave’s 2nd year as a SLAP Coach.
Assistant Coach Todd Shellenberger
USA Triathlon Coach: Level 1 & Youth and Junior Coach
Personal trainer certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine
Todd Shellenberger is a coach with over 10 years of coaching experience and over 30 years of racing experience. As part of keeping these coaching certifications, he is always reading and learning about what’s new in the sport and in each of the disciplines. In a former life, Todd was a Certified Public Accountant and was CFO of a not-for-profit organization.
When choosing a coach, you want someone who has been there – sweating it out and dealing with the mind games that can creep in while training and racing. Todd has been competing in Triathlon and Running Races for over 30 years and has competed in all distances of Triathlon and Running Races, from Sprint to Ironman and 5K to Marathon. Todd has qualified for the Ironman World Championships twice – finishing at Kona in 2014 and 2016. He has competed in the 70.3 World Championships in 1996 Muncie IN, 2010 Clearwater FL , 2017 Chattanooga, TN and 2019 Nice, France. He also competed in the 2019 Sprint Draft Legal World Championships and Olympic Distance World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland. Todd has qualified for the Sprint and Olympic World Championships in 2015, 2018 and 2019. In 2015, he qualified for the World Championships in the Sprint, Olympic, 70.3 and 140.6 distances. As a triathlon coach and a running coach Todd has a wide base of experience to draw from.
With over 30 years of experience and over 140 races under his belt Todd can relate to all types of athletes as well as help direct athletes to races that suit their strengths and offer the best experience possible for the racers and their families.
Assistant Coach Liesl Begnaud
USA Triathlon Coach: Level 1 & Paratriathlon
US Masters Swimming: Level 2 & Adult Learn-to-Swim
Liesl has been racing endurance sports for over 17 years which includes two Ironman finishes, numerous marathons, cycling events and multiple triathlon age group podium finishes. She has assisted with Challenged Athletes Foundation, Dare 2 Tri and Journey Paratriathlon camps.
Liesl loves to work with adults learning to swim. Recently, Liesl earned the Adaptive Recreation and Sports Specialist certification and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, (CTRS). She particularly enjoys coaching beginners triathletes of all abilities and has coached several athletes to their first Olympic, first 70.3, and first Ironman distance races.
Her coaching philosophy is based on creating a caring partnership while working together to meet the athlete’s goals. She helps her athletes to develop skills and confidence by encouraging them to train hard, play hard, have fun, and stay healthy while enjoying a balanced life. Her goal for athletes is to foster the inclusion of sport in daily life in a balanced and enriching way that provides a sense of purpose, accomplishment and joy.
Team Manager Amanda McKnatt
Former Director of a local MOPS ministry, 2008-2021
Graduate from Stetson University, Business Management 2002
As a mom of 3, Amanda has learned how important an active lifestyle is to her mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness. A true local to the Clermont/Minneola area from birth, she is so happy that she & her husband are raising their children here, ages 7, 11, and 14. She finds such joy in cheering others along as they work hard to pursue their goals!
I’m very active person.
June 7, 2021
I’m looking for someone to guide me how can I prepare myself for next year to do a triathlon.
Joining SLAP is an investment in yourself
August 27, 2020
As an age group athlete I have always just put the miles into training and finished my races satisfied with my times. I finally decided I needed to learn to swim better. I took some lessons from Coach Sara and joined the SLAP Tri Team. Not only did my swim improve but also my motivation to train. I then asked Sara to coach me for a race the following year. I now get weekly training schedules that are structured and keep me on track to have my best race possible. I can see measurable improvements in my run, bike and swim. There are no junk miles. All workouts have a purpose. Not only am I confident that I am going to have a great race but I have learned how to train my body for future races. Joining SLAP will be the best investment you make both financially and physically.
This Group will Change Your Life!!
August 21, 2020
The SLAP team and coaches are amazing and encouraging. The team workouts are always fun. As someone who did not know how to swim a year ago and was afraid of the water, thanks to SLAP I am now comfortable in the water and consider myself a decent swimmer, who still has a lot to learn 🙂
Motivating Attitude!!
August 20, 2020
I’ve been coached by Sara since 2011 and aside from her professionalism, winning track record, and skills to be the best coach possible it is without doubt the motivation and encouragement that keeps me showing up. With just a smile or a smirk you know you’re not just a number but that she’s watching and cares that you’re reaching your potential. The regulars and camaraderie is equally inspiring. Come out, have some fun… and get in shape.
Welcoming
August 20, 2020
The SLAP team and coaches make every member or participant feel like a winner. World class professional coaches create an environment that makes everyone feel motivated and supported. And as a winter Floridian, when I return to SLAP sessions I feel as though I never left and immediately included.