Group Descriptions - Para Program

Para Rising (4 - 17 years old)

Our Para Rising Program is designed to provide a supportive, inclusive, and fun environment for swimmers of all abilities to develop confidence and skills in the water.

Program Overview

Our Para Rising Program is an 8 week, volunteer coach led program where each athlete is paired 1:1 with a coach, allowing for individualized instruction and a personalized learning experience.

By the end of the program, swimmers will have successfully built foundational aquatic skills alongside their peers.

What Swimmers Will Learn

Participants will work on a variety of fundamental swimming and water safety skills, including:

• Water comfort and safety (submerging, breath control)
   
• Floating on front and back
   
• Rolling and body control in the water
   
• Basic propulsion and movement
   
• Introduction to coordinated swimming skills (kicking, arm movements, and balance)

Each session is adapted to meet the swimmer’s unique needs and ability level.

Who the Program Is For

This program is open to children 4-10 years of age with a physical, visual, or intellectual impairment who are looking to build swimming skills in a supportive setting.

Whether kids are new to the water or looking to further develop their abilities, the program is structured to meet swimmers where they are.

 

Program Details

Dates: April 26-June 14

Day: Sundays

Time: 1:00-1:45pm

Location: Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser Street, Esquimalt, BC V9A 6H6

Cost: $10 per lesson + registration fee

Format: 1:1 swimmer-to-coach ratio

Ages: 4-10 years old

Availability: 11 swimmers

 

Program Director: Alexx Greenfield | Senior & Para Coach at Pacific Coast Swimming

alexxgreenfield@gmail.com | (250) 415-0935

 

 

Para Competitive

Pacific Coast Swimming (PCS) is an athlete-focused, professionally-led, and parent-supported swim club committed to having swimmers at all levels achieve their full athletic potential. The same is true for those of our members who fall under the para swimming demographic.

The Para is for Parallel, it is not for paralyzed, nor is it short for Paralympic. We provide programs and opportunities that parallel our Olympic programs.

Para Swimming is the sport term used for swimmers with an eligible physical, visual, or intellectual impairment. 

PCS follows the rules and guidelines for eligibility, as laid out by Swimming Canada, under the criteria provided by World Para Swimming. Some examples of eligible underlying health conditions:

Physical Impairments

• Amputees/Dysmelia;
• Cerebral palsy/acquired brain injury;
• Spinal cord injury/polio;
• dwarfism;
• Others (Major joint restrictions, coordination restriction, limb paralysis/weakness)

Visual Impairments

• Blind; visually impaired

Intellectual Impairments

• Typically leads to the athletes having difficulties with regards to pattern recognition, sequencing, and memory, or having a slower reaction time, which impact on sport performance in general.

A more extensive list of eligible and ineligible can be found on the Swimming Canada Classification page:

https://www.swimming.ca/en/resources/para-swimming/para-swimming-classification/

What PCS offers:

1. Para swimming programming for swimmers: one-on-one sessions, learn to swim programs, pre-competitive and competitive programs and programs that provide sport for life.
2. All coaches who work with para swimmers whether in a one on one or an integrated group setting are provided para specific educational and support to ensure the best outcome for all.

Steps to get started:

1. All intake starts with an assessment. 
2. Following an assessment PCS will work with swimmer/family to find the best program within the wide range of groups within our club.
3. Proceed to registration.

First steps:

• Arrange an evaluation assessment for possible intake
• Contact Janet Dunn email: para@pacificcoastswimming.com, phone: 250-532-3434