Swimming: master the butterfly stroke or a stroke you find challenging.

Swimming is not just a sport, it’s a recreational pursuit and an important life skill. Australia has produced some of the world’s best swimmers like Ian Thorpe, Kieren Perkins, Ariarne Titmus, William Martin (Paralympic champion), Lakeisha Patterson (Paralympic champion), Emma McKeon and Kyle Chalmers.

Swimming is the most popular Paralympic sport in Australia. Swimming has many health benefits from improvements in posture, core strength, lung capacity, stress, and confidence through to better brain function and sleep.

Swimming SA

Swimming SA is the peak body for competitive swimming in SA that offers a membership to access all facets of club swimming from squad training, club meets, social events and competition (if you’re not sure, you can start with a Free 30 day trial membership).  

If you’re ready to join a Club, Swimming SA can help you find the club for you. 

State Swimming Schools SA

State Swim has been providing aquatic education in SA for 50 years, promoting water safety and technical skills as an achievable learning outcome for everybody.  They are one of the largest indoor swimming school organisations in Australia. 

Some of the programs they offer include:  

• Swim & Play for 6 months to 4 years.
• 400 Gold for 4 years + (8 stage program. Skill based and incentivised with Certificates and Awards with the ultimate goal being to swim 400 metres non-stop).
• Health & Sport Swimming Programs (progression from 400 + can join Squads/Teams that move three progressive levels, Team Bronze, Team Silver and Team Gold). 
• Super Swims (swimmers in 400 Gold or Team programs can participate in Super Swim time trials – a great way to test out competitive swimming pathways. 
• Interschool Carnivals are held twice per year where swimmers compete against other State Swim Schools – just like a Mini Olympics! 
• SwimVac: School Holiday Swimming An intensive school holiday program designed to help swimmers advance quickly with skill development and confidence.
  

Multiclass (MC) Swimming for people with a disability

Swimmers with a disability can compete at an elite level too.  Multiclass (MC) swimming provides meaningful competition which is supported by Swimming Australia.  

Rapidswim Aquatic Therapy

Rapidswim Aquatic Therapy offers water-based therapy to improve areas that impact the everyday functioning for people with disabilities.  1:1 Aquatic therapy sessions are provided with a qualified therapist utilising best practice techniques to assist children with special needs such as the use of visual communication systems, support at times of transition and recognition and support to assist with sensory and motor dysfunction.

Para-swimming

Para-swimming is practised internationally by athletes in nearly 100 countries and has featured in every Paralympic Games. For a better understanding of Para-swimming info sheet check out the Para-swimming information sheet and this short video.  

Inclusive Swimming

One Culture provides a disability Swimming Program open to all ages and abilities in Adelaide.  The program has a strong focus on water safety and enjoyment, but will also help with self-confidence, gross motor skills, health and wellbeing. 30 or 60 mins sessions are offered with experienced AUSTSWIM instructors with NDIS worker training.  Currently, this program is not suitable for vision-impaired or wheelchair participants. 

Other Resources

• AUSTSWIM (Australia’s national organisation for the teaching of Swimming and Water Safety).
• VacSwim South Australia’s ICONIC government-funded and endorsed holiday swimming initiative.