Para-swimming London is An Initiative Launched by Swim England and Its Partners

The new Para-swimming London project was established by Swim England in collaboration with a number of partners with the goal of encouraging more young disabled people to use the pool.

On a project to identify the para-swimmers of the future, the national governing body is collaborating with Level Water, London Swimming, Evalina Children’s Hospital, and London Sport.

The initiative is the result of research conducted by Swim England that revealed a dearth of para-swimmers in certain boroughs of the nation’s capital.

The six boroughs that the initiative will focus on in an effort to establish a Start Para Swimming program in the neighborhood are Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southark.

A crucial first step in introducing swimmers to the para-swimming pathway is the Start Para Swimming programs, which serve as an introduction to para-swimming and feature sessions led by Swim England-certified coaches and teachers.

With the help of the programs, the Swim England Para-Swimming Talent team is able to become aware of swimmers much earlier in their development, which may lead to swimmers being invited to join the talent program, which cultivates athletes for both domestic and international competition.

‘Improving Opportunities’

After successfully applying for a portion of the together me fund, which is overseen by London Sport, Swim England and Level Water teamed up to fund the project.

The funds will be used to deliver customized 1:1 swimming lessons through Level Water, free taster sessions for families with disabilities, as well as CPD opportunities for teachers and coaches, in order to establish a connection with Start Para-Swimming and to pave the way for a clear and open pathway for future generations.

The campaign is already under way, and by the end of the month, Level Water hopes to have 20 kids enrolled in 1:1 swimming lessons.

Before the start of the Start Para-Swimming program in March, anyone with a physical disability is welcome to a free swimming taster session at the Castle Centre on Friday, February 17.

The advantages that the program will bring excite Martin Lees, manager of para-swimming development for Swim England.

He said: “This is a really exciting project where partners are collaborating to enhance local opportunities for young disabled people to access and benefit from swimming.

“In particular, we are thrilled about the March launch of Start Para-Swimming, which will give participants the chance to advance their swimming abilities with the goal of eventually becoming para-swimmers and joining the swimming club.”