Janelle Pallister (Head Coach)

A former Olympian and Commonwealth Games representative, Janelle is one of Australia’s most respected swimming coaches, with over 20 years’ experience guiding athletes from learn-to-swim through to the Olympic and World Championship level. She has coached multiple Australian Dolphins team members and was awarded the Don Talbot Award as Australia’s highest-performing coach at the 2024 World Short Course Championships.

Janelle began her coaching career at Kawana Waters before running her own swim school and then leading successful squad programs at Cotton Tree on the Sunshine Coast and, most recently, at the Griffith University High Performance Hub on the Gold Coast.

In Janelle’s words:

“It’s great to be coming back to the Sunshine Coast to Kawana Waters, where my coaching journey first started. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with the community and meeting all the families.”

Known for her athlete-centred approach, Janelle creates disciplined, supportive environments that focus on long-term development, strong fundamentals, and performance excellence. She is a Platinum-Level Swimming Coach, a qualified Strength & Conditioning Coach, and an experienced presenter at national and international coaching conferences.

Kevin Calmettes (Silver Squad Coach)

Kevin is a highly experienced performance swimming coach with over 15 years in the sport, dedicated to developing swimmers from early squad levels through to national and international competition. Known for building strong connections with athletes and inspiring them to achieve their best, he fosters a results-driven yet supportive environment. Outside the pool, Kevin enjoys an active lifestyle with his family. We’re thrilled to have him as part of our coaching team.

Michelle Downing (Bronze Squad Coach)

Michelle has over 10 years’ coaching experience and is passionate about helping swimmers improve their technique and confidence. She’s worked with both juniors and seniors across all levels, and is known for her approachable nature and attention to detail. Michelle loves seeing swimmers reach their goals and be their best, both in and out of the water.