Our Coaches
Tarin Allegretto
My name is Coach Tarin. I am owner of Otter Swim School & Team. I have worked with children from the time I was 9 years old up to now. I started as a mother's helper and continued to babysit, work in preschool settings, studied child psychology, and was a birthing doula for 12 years. I also taught surf lessons for 25 years. After one too many surf injuries I transitioned into the swim world. I am a USA Swimming certified coach, lifeguard, lifeguard instructor, and most importly mom of my own 3 amazing swimmers/coaches. I have coached swimmers, including my youngest daughter, up to Jr Championships (formerly known as Jr Olympics) levels. I love working with babies on water safety and confidence. I enjoy seeing children progress through their swimming levels. And helping adults reach their swimming goals. A fun fact about me is that my favorite Disney movie is Avatar Way Of The Water.
Karen Larkin
Hello! My name is Coach Karen. I am the mom of Tim, a former ice hockey player and now a high school social studies teacher and hockey coach for Snider Hockey. My daughter Kristen, a former volleyball player, now works in the sports betting industry for Bet 365. I recently passed the Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course. I am also a Job Coach for the Black Horse Pike Regional School District. I have over 10 years experience working with students with disabilities teaching them how to navigate the working world. My love and respect for the water started when I was very young and vacationing in Ocean City NJ where I am now a year round resident. I swam competitively in my youth until basketball took over (I was better at it). I attended Rider University on a basketball scholarship but continued to swim for fun and fitness. My early working years were spent in the brokerage industry but after my kids were born, I left to be a full time mom. When I returned to work, it was education that caught my interest and I always say it's the best job I ever had until now. Teaching swimming takes into account my love of teaching and of being in the water. In my spare time, I will do anything in, around or on the water. I especially love going to the beach and spending time on our boat. I also enjoy paddle boarding and kayaking. I am also an avid Philly sports fan and a parrot head!What most people will say about me now, is that I’m a devoted grandma to Sutton. She is my miracle born at a mere 2 lbs 2 oz. She is now 2 years old and an active toddler. I look forward to working with your children and teaching them my love and respect for the water.
Morgan McFee
Hello all! My name is Coach Morgan. I have been a swim instructor and swim team for over 3 years. I have five younger siblings and one older. Growing up around a pool with my younger siblings it was ver obvious how important water safety is. I've the last two years my love for water safety and helping those who are not confident in the water has really moved me to work with the fantastic OSS team. Some family members of mine live at the shore year round therefore, I spend a lot of time at the beach with my chocolate lab enjoying the sun! I'm so excited to see how this summer goes and to meet you!
Erynn Brady
Hello Friends! My name is Coach Erin. I am happy to be apart of Otter Swim School & Team. I started my competitive swim career at a young age traveling each weekend to swim meets, then becoming a division two student athletes in college. I was a double major in Marine Bololgy and General Biology. Most of my classes were by the ocean. I currently hold my advanced open water certification for SCUBA. I have experience in teaching infants and young children how to be safe around the water and how to swim efficiently. Also, I have been a lifeguard for more than ten years now. What can I say, I love studying marine life and the water. I hope to share my knowledge of swim in a fun effectivce way that will stick in you swimmer's head forever. Hope to meet new friends soon!
Toby-Jo Allegretto
Hi, I am Coach Toby-Jo. I am a Club Team swimmer with Otters and High School swimmer with OCHS. I have accomplishments in 200 IM, freestyle, and breast stroke. I am CPR and AED Certified. I have competed in 2 Iron Mans. I have also completed a three mile swim across Lake Winnipesaukee twice. I enjoy playing Club LaCrosse. My favorite TV show is Phineas and Ferb.
My love for working with kids and my passion for swimming is what motivates me as an instructor. Whether I'm teaching little ones to paddle their way through the water or guiding them to build confidence in the pool, my dedication shines through. My enthusiasm for both activities creates a positive and nurturing environment where children can thrive. I will continue spreading joy through my love for swimming and working with kids!
Kevin Lyons
Hello! My name is Coach Kevin. I grew up in Washington Township and began swimming for club and summer teams when I was 10, and I would go on to swim into high-school and college. Through my years swimming I gained a lot of comfort and understanding of how to move in water and how water itself moves, along with other things that team sports provide such as competitive edge and a desire to succeed. I hope that through the Otter Swim School I would be able to instill these same fundamentals into our students, as some lessons go beyond the pool deck. I have been residing outside of Ocean City for the last 5 years, and have been working for the OC Beach Patrol since as well. I had a proficiency in all the strokes when I was swimming, but my specialty was freestyle sprinting and mid-distance.