The first question that many people ask is what is the difference between disability swimming and para swimming. In short there is no difference, its just a different term that is used internationally for the competitive element of the sport – its short for parallel, meaning that disabled competitions run alongside and are of equal importance to able bodied competition.
For further information on the steps for getting started in para swimming, please visit https://www.swimming.org/sport/becoming-a-para-swimmer/. Here you will find details of how to get in touch, find a club and Start Para Swimming.
Ensure your child doesn’t miss out on the benefits of swimming. Track down swimming lessons today. Depending on disability, your child could learn to swim with non-disabled children and progress using the same Swim England Learn to Swim Pathway.
Start Para Swimming
The programme is aimed towards swimmers with disabilities that;
- are aged approximately between 6 years to early teens
- are at Swim England National Plan for Teaching Swimming Stage 3 or above (swimming in shallow learner pool to having recently moved to 25m length swimming)
- Would eventually want to enter a mainstream swimming club to further their swimming once they have pass through the Start Para Swimming Programme
- Want to develop their swimming to a higher level and eventually perhaps become classified to allow them to compete at Para Events.
Hub Clubs
Hub Clubs are situated at local swimming clubs to provide an assessment opportunity for any swimmer with a disability.
During the session, swimmers will be asked to complete basic swim skills and assessment tasks to determine their ability level. After the initial assessment swimmers will be directed to appropriate swimming provision best suited to the individual swimmer.
Please click here to see the Hub Clubs in the South East.
