Getting started
Swimming is an inclusive sport that aims to provide competition and development opportunities for those swimmers with disabilities.
Disability/Para swimming encompasses physical disabilities and learning difficulties.
Deaf swimmers are included in disability swimming but also have the opportunity to compete in able-bodied events. Deaf swimmers are also supported by the GB Deaf Swimming Club.
Swimmers with Downs Syndrome can get support from Downs Syndrome Swimming GB.
Para-Swimming features in the Paralympic Games every four years and there are Para-Swimming World and European Championships, as well as a Para-Swimming World Series.
More details can be found on the Swim England East Region website by clicking here.
Training
Bedfordshire disability/para swimmers, as well as training with their home clubs, attend development training sessions across the Swim England East Region throughout the year.
Swim England East Region hosts training and development camps for disability /para swimmers from across the region which is attended by Bedfordshire swimmers as well as many swimmers from other counties within the Region.
The development of Para-Swimmers is also picked up by the Para-Swimming Talent Pathway run by Swim England.
Classification
As disability competitors progress through their careers they can become classified if they meet the criteria for classification.
Classification involves swimmers being assessed to determine to what degree their disability impairs their swimming. They are then placed in the corresponding category from S1 to S14 and issued with a certificate of disability.
Certification of Exception
Swim England is launching updates to two resources which will help to further improve inclusion within swimming.
The national governing body’s ‘Certificate of Exception’ is an update of the previously named ‘Certificate of Swimming Disability’.
The certificate was initially created to enable disabled swimmers to participate in competition without being penalised for rule infractions beyond their control.
This was particularly relevant to swimmers who could not, or did not, want to have a para-swimming classification.
Whilst uptake was positive, it was recognised that the application process may be a barrier for some and there may be potential to expand its use.
Therefore, the following changes were proposed and subsequently agreed:
- The removal of the need for medical evidence when submitting the application form for the certificate. This has been replaced with a simple co-signatory process. The form can be countersigned by a fellow club member such as a coach.
- The extension of the certificate to include a ‘swimwear exception’. This will enable competitors to wear swimwear outside of the standard regulations whilst also ensuring compliance with FINA regulations in relation to swimwear.
Mike Hawkes, Swim England’s inclusion partner, said: “We know the certificate is a great way to enable disabled swimmers to access our swimming competitions and wanted to ensure this was available to as many people as possible.
“The introduction of a swimwear exception is an exciting development. We’ve listened to feedback about swimming costumes being a barrier to competition and believe that this update will remove those barriers for many competitors and participants.”
Although the certificate update has now been officially launched, current holders will be able to use their existing certificate until the expiry date, at which point a renewal application will need to be made via the updated process.
A range of guidance has also been produced to help members, clubs and officials to further understand the new certificate. To view and download the relevant guidance, please click here.