meet the team
Powered by our people
kari
Paul
Diana
Julian
Instructor with 7+ Years of Experience
Tilda
Lenian
Kari baynes
Our Director
Our Founder and Director, Kari Baynes, brings 25 years of leadership in the media industry and a deep passion for health and well-being to Different Strokes Swimming.
In 2010, she took up swimming to reduce stress and improve her fitness, learning freestyle at 48. Recognizing a gap in adult swim programs, Kari created a supportive space where adults can learn, thrive, and build confidence in the water.
Qualifications & Accomplishments:
- AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety
- ASCTA Teacher of Competitive Strokes
- Experienced marathon swimmer, having competed in:
10km Lake Argyle Swim (quad team)
14km Thames Marathon (solo)
10km Mana Island Swim (solo)
When she’s not teaching or running the program, Kari enjoys swimming in marathon events and writing.
Throughout her 25-year career, balancing health, well-being, and fun has been key to her success.
paul myatt
Swim coach & Instructor
Paul has around 20 years of experience as a swimming instructor and teacher. With a background in education, Paul is passionate about helping swimmers build confidence and develop their skills in the ocean, surf, and pool.
Paul’s gentle and caring personality is paired with a strong commitment to pushing his athletes to excel. He has coached everyone, from beginners to world champions.
Qualifications & Accomplishments:
- AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety
- Accredited Triathlon Coach
- Team coach for the Can Too Foundation and other training groups
Paul is also a professional musician in various genres and a passionate music educator. He’s a co-founder of Forte School of Music which runs across Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
He’s currently undertaking a PHD in Music Education and is active in giving talks internationally in the field.
Diana Galosi
Swim Instructor
Diana joined Different Strokes Swimming in 2020. Hailing from Germany, her love for swimming began in local pools and grew with ocean swimming, fueled by training for an Ironman.
Passionate about fitness and mental well-being, Diana helps swimmers of all levels build confidence in both pool and ocean settings.
Qualifications & Accomplishments:
- AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety
- Teacher of Infant and Preschool Aquatics
- Teacher of Towards Competitive Strokes
- AUSTSWIM Assesor
Diana encourages those tired of “following the black line” to dive into the ocean and discover the joys of open-water swimming.
She’s also a passionate traithlete and continues to enter events in Australia.
julian kenworthy
Swim Instructor
Julian discovered his passion for swimming at Blacktown Aquatic Centre, learning to manage his asthma through the water.
Growing up in Sydney’s west, he developed a lifelong love for the sport, competing at the state level in high school. Since 2018, he’s coached swimmers of all levels at Sydney’s top pools.
Qualifications & Accomplishments:
- AUSTSWIM Teacher of Towards Competitive Strokes
- AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety
- AUSTSWIM Teacher of Adults
Julian’s approach to coaching focuses on personalized feedback, building confidence, and creating a fun and welcoming environment for swimmers of all levels. He’s particularly passionate about helping adults overcome their fear of the water and find joy in swimming.
Raised over $4000 for Laps For Life and the Starlight Super Swim
tilda meggitt
Swim Instructor
Tilda is the newest addition to the Different Strokes Swimming team and brings a fresh, vibrant perspective to teaching. With 3 years of swim teaching experience with children and adults, underpinned by a background in high school water polo, Tilda combines skill and enthusiasm.
She’s enjoying the move to focusing on teaching adults in our Learn to Swim Program.
Qualifications & Accomplishments:
- AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety
A uni student and ocean lover, Tilda enjoys swimming with friends at Camp Cove and knitting.
lenian gaspar
Operations Assistant
Got any questions or inquiries? Need any assistance in your account? Lenian’s got you covered.
She can’t swim, but will make sure you’ll glide through the water smoothly from the back end, with 10+ years of admin and operations experience.
Outside of work, she organizes music events, writes songs, and sings for a punk/emo band, Irrevocable.