The WaveOne Team

Denis Crean - Founder and head coach

In 2009, Denis created WaveOne Open Water (Swimming) – Specializing in coaching, developing and organizing programs and events for open water swimmers and triathletes. He creates a transformational open water experience to bring swimmers "aha" moments that forever change their relationship with the water and potentially, their lives. In 1998, he coined the term "feel the water" based on his belief that through a more connected feel of the water, you increase an efficient transfer of your energy to the water to propel you forward.

His pool and open water training cover a broad range of topics, including the fundamentals of swimming; advanced pace/interval/distance work for open water swims/races ranging from a mile to cross channel swims of 20+ miles.

Open water ultra marathon achievements and certifications include:

One of the few Triple Crown Open Water and Ice Mile Swimmers in the world.

English Channel 12:19 2023 (1)

Catalina Channel 16:18 2016 (2)

Manhattan Island Marathon Swim 28.5 mi, 7:51 2006 (3)

Ice Mile - Water: 3.39C/38F, Wind Chill -8.9C/16F, 30:28

1st swimmer to complete Washington DC Marathon Swim, Potomac River, Chain Bridge to Mt Vernon: 22 miles, 9:42 2019

24 mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim 9:21 2004 1st place

Mainland, Ca to Anacapa Island: 12.2 miles, 6:20 2019

41k Lake George Marathon Swim 12:30 2007 2nd place (male)

Certifications:

Wim Hof Method Level 1 Certified Instructor

Red Cross Certified Life Guard

USA Swimming Certified Coach

XPT Certified Coach

USMS Certified Coach

Special Olympics Instructor, US Dept. of State Sports United Program in Cairo, Egypt (2013)

Chief Safety Officer for Open Water Swimming at Special Olympics World Games (2015)

Swim Director for various triathlons

Terry Mitchell - Swim Coordinator

Terry oversees the pier operations during swims that ensure we have full accountability of the swimmers, often endearing anxious swimmers with his brand of disarming humor. He is a retired U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Combat Camera veteran and recently retired as the civilian manager of the Pentagon Press Briefing Room. Terry enjoys coaching his daughter Jenny in swimming for our Potomac River Dolphins Special Olympics swim team, photography, cycling, and sailing.

Taylor Gunther - Chief Safety Officer

Taylor is a Red Cross Life Guard and Water Safety instructor for the past 10 years. She brings a dynamic energy and can-do attitude to our swims. Her patient and thorough abilities provide calm for the swimmers and structure to the on water support team. She conducts training and maintains our emergency action plan.

Our Elite Support Team also supports the critical course points of the Nation's Triathlon, High Cloud PeasantMan Triathlon and others.

Nora escorting Jenny during the 2023 DC Marathon Swim

Nora Jodrey

Nora Joined WaveOne five years ago to support swimmers on the water. She has been a friendly face escorting them to finish line in hundreds of swims. When she isn’t paddling for us, she is running ultra trail races and caring for show horses.

Trent Hayden - Triathlon, Mobility & Swim Coach for WaveOne Swim Camps

Trent is the Head coach of the UNCW Triathlon Team and the Founder and Head Coach of Trident Coaching. He trains, coaches and conducts local open water swims and triathlons in the Wilmington area. Trent is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Personal Trainer, USA Triathlon Certified Level 1 Coach, IRONMAN Certified Coach, USA Triathlon Youth & Junior Certified Coach, American Fitness Professionals and Associates Certified Sports, Nutrition, and Wellness Nutritionist.

Edward Moser

Ed Moser, our Director of "Propaganda" and Outreach, has been swimming with WaveOne from the start. A long-time member of the DC Triathlon Club, he enjoys "bricks" to our swims by biking from his home in Alexandria, where he runs the historical, hysterical Lafayette Square Tours of Scandal, Murder, & Spies. Ed is also a best selling author with his latest work, The Two Term Jinx, an account the unlucky details of America's two term presidents.