The time has come and gone for SwimWay’s annual Summer Staff Party 2026, and what an afternoon and evening it was.
A much-anticipated event in the SwimWay calendar, the annual staff party is a wonderful opportunity for our team to step away from the pools, lessons and day-to-day routines, and come together to celebrate the incredible people who make SwimWay what it is.
From friendly competition and plenty of laughter to heartfelt conversations and memorable moments, the day was filled with everything that makes our SwimWay community so special. It was a chance to welcome new faces, reconnect with familiar colleagues, and celebrate another successful year of hard work, dedication and teamwork.
Before diving into the highlights, a special thank you goes to SwimWay founder, Dan Pastor, for helping to organise another fantastic staff celebration and ensuring that everyone had a brilliant time. Events like these are a wonderful reminder of the community that exists within SwimWay, and they would not happen without the time and effort that goes on behind the scenes to bring everyone together.
A special mention also goes to Ana Veronica Pastor, SwimWay’s Facilities Manager & swimming instructor, who organised both our go-karting experience at Gravity and our dining arrangements at The Queen Adelaide, helping to make the entire day run seamlessly from start to finish!
As we arrived, the pub was buzzing with both English and South African rugby supporters as the 2026 Nations Championship was underway. While catching up with colleagues old and new, we enjoyed the atmosphere alongside a generous supply of drinks, olives, nuts and fries before moving outside to our tables.
One of the highlights of the evening was having the opportunity to spend time together away from the pools and the office. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to welcome newer members of the SwimWay team into the celebrations. Experienced swimming instructor and exceptionally talented photographer, Jordana Barale, captured every smile, laugh, and unforgettable moment from the SwimWay staff party. Her incredible eye for detail and ability to preserve genuine moments perfectly reflects the fun and camaraderie that made the evening so special.
Ana Veronica Pastor ensured we had the best seats in the house and kept our food orders running smoothly throughout the evening!
Before long, the food began arriving and certainly did not disappoint. The team at The Queen Adelaide catered brilliantly for everyone’s individual dietary requirements and served us with smiles throughout the evening. Thank you to all of the staff for looking after us so well.
With everyone well fed and refreshed, it was time for one of the most anticipated parts of the evening: the annual SwimWay awards ceremony.
The Swimming Instructor of the Year Award was presented to Chiara Padelli, a thoroughly deserved recognition for someone who has become such an important part of the SwimWay family since joining in March 2021.
Chiara is known by both colleagues and families for her patience, enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge in the water for all ages and abilities. Over the past year, she identified an opportunity to better support children transitioning from our Parent & Baby programme, which caters for children aged 3 to 36 months, into our 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4 lessons.
Taking the initiative herself, Chiara proposed and developed 1:3 group lessons for children aged 3 to 4 years old, helping to bridge the gap between these classes and creating a smoother transition for young swimmers. The programme has proven to be incredibly successful and stands as a testament to Chiara’s dedication and innovation. Dan gave a wonderful speech highlighting not only this achievement, but also the wider contribution she continues to make across SwimWay.
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The Staff Member of the Year Award was also presented during the evening, recognising contributions made beyond day-to-day responsibilities and the impact individuals have had across the business over the past year. This year, the award was presented to Kirsty McLauchlan, in recognition of her hard work supporting the office team as a Booking Coordinator.
As the evening drew on and the summer air began to cool, everyone settled in to enjoy dessert and make the most of the final moments together, sharing stories and catching up with colleagues from across the business.
It was a fantastic afternoon and evening spent celebrating the people who make SwimWay what it is. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the event so memorable!
Here’s to another successful year and to the Summer Staff Party 2027 to come!
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