Chris Vlaj
HEAD COACH
A student of the game, Victoria Golden Tide (CCBC) Head Coach Chris Vlaj (pronounced V-lye) has been a baseball lifer working behind the dish as a catcher his whole life, giving him a great perspective on how the game is played. Entering the season as a fourth-year coach, Vlaj is poised to take this program to the next level with exceptional leadership and a contagious love of the game.
Chris is committed to athlete development on the field and character development off, with an emphasis on the importance of building confident young men as well as confident baseball players. It is important to Chris that when Tide players leave the program they are well equipped adults ready to take on life after school.
Coach Vlaj’s coaching career began in 2022 during the second year of the Golden Tide existence, where he was tasked with leading the catchers and assisting with infield defence. Since then his hard work and dedication to the program has vaulted him into bigger roles year after year until now where is poised to take of the reigns as Head Coach.
As a player, Chris split his highschool playing time between the Parksville Royals and the Nanaimo (now Mid-Island) Pirates of the PBL. Playing for multiple programs has given him a unique perspective on different approaches to player development and building a winning culture. After high school Coach Vlaj went to Okanagan College for two years where a second major back injury forced him to retire from playing the game he loves at the collegiate level.
Today Chris works closely with catchers and infielders to develop a strong base of defence. It is our organizational belief that the key to winning baseball is playing solid and consistent defence behind strike throwers on the mound.
Colton O’Brien
HITTING / OUTFIELD COACH
Colton is entering his 4th season with the Tide organization and his 3rd as a member of the coaching staff. Born and raised in Victoria, he has been a part of Victoria Baseball for many years. He was a graduate of the Victoria Eagles PBL program in 2017 with included a Team BC selection in 2015.
After graduation, Colton spent time as a coach within the Eagles organization in 2017/2018. This included a role as an assistant coach within the 2018 Bantam AAA Eagles. At the announcement of the Golden Tide program Colton was currently enrolled at Camosun College and joined the inaugural Tide team as an Outfielder. After that season he transitioned into the role of Hitting/Outfield Coach which he still holds today.
Colton has also spent time in the organization as a youth training coach with the Victoria Harbourcats Youth Development Program (2022-2024), and had a small stint as an assistant coach with the Victoria Harbourcats of the WCL in the summer of 2024. He also holds a seat on the Board of Directors for the Victoria Mavericks Baseball Club, one of the oldest Sr. Men’s baseball programs in North America.
Colton brings a wealth of knowledge to the Tide and is constantly looking for ways to continue to develop his understanding of the game. His attention to detail and baseball IQ look to help the Tide build a successful program for years to come.
Darius Opdam Bak
PITCHING COACH
Known for his technical insight and player-first approach, Victoria Golden Tide (CCBC) Pitching Coach Darius Opdam Bak blends experience as both a high-level player and a dedicated coach. He is driven by a commitment to athlete development, emphasizing biomechanics, arm care, and mental preparation for the demands of collegiate pitching.
Darius began his coaching career with the White Rock Tritons, where he spent two years working with some of British Columbia’s top high school athletes. During his time there, he focused on mechanical efficiency, individualized throwing programs, and helping pitchers transition to the next level of competition. His coaching is grounded in a kinesiology background, which informs his analytical approach to workload management, movement quality, and injury prevention.
As a player, Darius developed through the Tritons program and competed at the collegiate level with Douglas College. He later transferred to the University of Victoria, where he played for both the Golden Tide (CCBC) and the Victoria HarbourCats (West Coast League). His experience as a pitcher in both academic and summer league settings gives him a valuable perspective on the player journey and the challenges of balancing academics, training, and performance.
In 2015, Darius represented Canada at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, a formative experience that shaped his competitive mindset and appreciation for the team environment.
Today, Darius works closely with Golden Tide pitchers to develop individualized plans focused on long-term growth. His coaching combines biomechanics, modern pitch design principles, mental performance strategies, and a strong understanding of athletic development. He values building strong coach-athlete relationships and aims to help players grow not only as athletes but as teammates and leaders.