NJ Cannons and Aqua-Adapt

NJ Cannons Swim Team

The NJ Cannons are a Special Olympics swim team made up of athletes from across northern New Jersey. JCC MetroWest has proudly served as their home since March 2023.  Founded in 2011, the team has grown steadily and welcomes all qualified athletes who wish to compete.
NJ Cannons swimmers—children, young adults, and adults—train to reach their personal bests while building confidence, independence, and a strong sense of teamwork.

Season: January 2 – May 30, 2026

Practice: Saturdays, 2:30-3:30pm

Pricing: $100 per person (member and nonmember)

Meet Our Coaches

Evelyn VanWagner
Evelyn VanWagner discovered her love for the water at a young age, spending her summers down the shore and developing into a competitive open-water distance swimmer. At just 16, she became a beach lifeguard, furthering her passion for aquatic safety and skill. In 2017, Evelyn joined the staff of the Caldwell Cannons Swim Team, where she continues to share her expertise and enthusiasm for the sport.

Her dedication to inclusive athletics began in 2014 when she started volunteering as a Special Olympics figure skating coach. By 2017, she expanded her involvement to Special Olympics swimming, combining her lifelong connection to the water with her commitment to supporting athletes of all abilities. Evelyn brings energy, experience, and encouragement to every swimmer she coaches, fostering both skill development and a love of the sport.

Kayla Ann Ortiz
Kayla Ann Ortiz, from Harrison, discovered her passion for swimming at the age of 13 when she began competing in the sport. In 2011, she became a certified lifeguard and swim instructor, dedicating herself to sharing her love of the water with others.

In 2014, Kayla’s journey expanded when she became involved with the special needs community through Camp Fatima. This experience inspired her to join the staff at the Caldwell Community Center, where she began working closely with athletes of all abilities. Her commitment to inclusion and adaptive aquatics led her to volunteer with the Caldwell Cannons—now known as the NJ Cannons—a Special Olympics swim team that currently calls JCC MetroWest its home.

With years of experience as both a coach and mentor, Kayla continues to make a lasting impact by fostering confidence, skill, and joy in every swimmer she works with.