Meet OUR Coaching Team
Our squad of swim coaches is as diverse as the kids in the X Lab community – representing a rainbow of ethnicities, personalities, genders, and a wide range of backgrounds – and we’re a better squad for it.
As national athletes, parents, sports scientists, and more, we’re united as educators at heart who believe that every child has so much to benefit from an active childhood – whether that looks like competitive swim training or learning to overcome a fear of the water.
Led by head coaches Jared Butler and Jade Ariadne, our coaches work together to ensure every child is engaged and inspired in the pool, develops technically sound swim technique, and is geared towards achieving their goals.
All coaches are trained-in-house and certified with the ISA-Sports Schooling Certificate of Swim Instruction which requires 80 hours of theory, practical, assisting, and mentorship. In addition to being first-aid trained and certified, coaches are also trained in child safety and safeguarding, as well as child-centered learning experiences.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Grounded in Technique
At X Lab, we believe kids should learn to swim the right way from the start - no shortcuts. Our programmes teach strong and sound swim fundamentals grounded in sports science, building the physical rigour and discipline key for progress and growth across swim and other sports.
Child-Centric & Athlete-Focused
Every child comes to X Lab with unique goals and strengths, and that’s a great thing! Seeking to meet each child where they are, coaches work collaboratively with every swimmer to make meaningful progress, adopting an approach anchored around each child’s aspirations and developmental needs.
Collaboration > Competition
A squad in itself, our coaches work together to bring out the best in each child - and each other. Head Coaches Jared and Jade are intentional in creating a culture of growth, openness and encouragement in their coaching teams through weekly trainings, regular debriefs, and structured mentorship.
Who We Are
Joseph Schooling
DIRECTOR
Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist
“X Lab is all about encouraging kids to get moving in the water and go as far as they can – and have fun while they’re at it!”
Jared Butler
HEAD COACH, COMPETITIVE
4x Big 12 and NCAA Swimmer (USA)
“Young swimmers are the future of the sport – it’s up to us to make sure they get to be the best they can be – in and out of the water.”
Jade Ariadne
HEAD COACH, LEARN TO SWIM
National Athlete (Philippines)
“To me, coaching is really about building a kid up from zero to hero! To see a jump in a kid’s swimming abilities is incredible.”
Come for a Swim
If you’re passionate about inspiring kids through sport and excited to grow as a sports educator and mentor – we’d love to meet you! Learn more about our coaching programme and reach out to explore potential opportunities at X Lab.