Swimming

How to Swim

Para-swimmers follow slightly modified rules of mainstream swimming. Athletes perform the standard stroke/s of their disciplines (Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, Breastroke and Medley events, to the best of their ability. In able-bodied swimming, the race starts by competitors diving into the pool at the sound of a gun. If possible para-swimmers dive from the standing position. However, concessions are made and they can dive from a seated platform or start in the water.

The regulation attire is a bathing suit. Like able-bodied swimming, athletes are forbidden to use any equipment that may enhance speed, buoyancy and endurance.

International Rulebook

Who can Swim

Impairment Type

To be eligible for swimming athletes must have a physical disability, vision impairment or intellectual disability. Athletes with a physical disability have one or more of the following: single or multiple limb loss (through birth defects and/or amputation), cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries (leading to paralysis or disability in limb coordination), dwarfism, or disabilities which impair the use of joints.

Classification

Learn more about para classification

Swimmers are separated into three disability classes: physical disability, vision impairment and intellectual disability. They are then classified according to the severity of their impairment.

Swimmers with physical disabilities are ranked from 1 and 10, with 1 being the most impaired and 10 the least.

Visually impaired swimmers are allocated to categories 11, 12 or 13. Category 11 swimmers are totally blind, while competitors in category 13 have severe but not total visual impairment.

Swimmers with Intellectual disabilities compete in category 14.

Swimmers receive a class for each stroke discipline, and a prefix indicates which stroke the class applies to;
•   The prefix S to the class denotes the class for Freestyle, Backstroke & Butterfly
•   The prefix SB to the class denotes the class for Breaststroke
•   The prefix SM to the class denotes the class for Individual Medley

For example, a Freestyle swimmer with a severe physical impairment may compete in S2, whilst a totally blind Breastroke swimmer would compete in SB11.

How Do I Get Classified?

Please contact your State Swimming Association listed in “Who Runs The Sport” to get classified and compete against other athletes with a similar disability. They will be able to provide details of opportunities to get classified.

If your State Association is unable to provide you with the information you require to get classified, please register with the PA by emailing classification@paralympic.org.au.