ParaFed Canterbury helps boost Para-Swimming pathways

A ParaFed Canterbury initiative is providing more pathways for Para-Swimmers in the region to reach their full potential in the water.

The concept of the programme is to bring together all of the Para-Swimmers, who are training with their different swimming clubs and swim schools around Canterbury, and provide an opportunity for them to swim together as a Para-Swimming Squad on a regular basis.

The programme has opportunities at all levels, with the competitive and development squads training together once a week, and the learn to swim squad coming together on a monthly basis.

The learn to swim programme caters for swimmers with a disability who are already receiving swimming lessons or for those who would like to give swimming a go. The squad focuses on water confidence and finding adaptations for disabilities.

Those in the development squad are confident in the water and are progressing towards joining a swim club and competing. They are encouraged to compete in ‘have a go’ races at local club carnivals.

Para-Swimmers who are currently competing for a swim club in Christchurch make up the competitive squad. The sessions are focused more on technical and skill work, as the swimmers tend to do plenty of distance with their own clubs.

There is also support and information given to coaches who are part of the programme helping to develop their skills in teaching swimmers with disabilities at a number of levels. Coaches currently working in the programme are Kayne Tukapua, Brent Kemp and Charlotte O’Keefe.

ParaFed Canterbury Sports Manager and past New Zealand Para-Swimmer Hadleigh Pierson leads the programme and is proving a hit with the parents and swimmers alike for his consistent communication and progress tracking of the swimmers involved.

Hadleigh says “We have a proud tradition of Para-Swimming in the Canterbury region, and this programme will ensure we continue producing representative Para-Swimmers and coaches”.

For more information about swimming opportunities with ParaFed Canterbury visit their website.