Para Swimming

Para Swimming

Our Para Swim Program is designed to provide swimmers with physical, developmental, or sensory disabilities the opportunity to develop their swimming skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The program focuses on building confidence, improving technique, and fostering a lifelong enjoyment of swimming. Coaches tailor instruction and set goals to match the individual needs and abilities of each swimmer, ensuring an accessible and rewarding experience for all participants.

The program also serves as a pathway for those interested in progressing toward Para sport or competitive Para swimming opportunities within local clubs or provincial programs.

To join the program, swimmers should

• Feel comfortable in the water.
• Be able to float on their front or back and move around independently in the water.
• Have an interest in improving their swimming stroke skills.

In-water support is available to help participants gain comfort and confidence in the water.

The program is divided into two age-based groups to better serve individual needs:

The age overlap allows flexibility based on comfort and skill level. Coaches may move participants between groups after consulting with parents or guardians.

Dates & Times

Winter Term

• Each session is 45 mins – 8 sessions total

Spring Term

• Each session is 45 mins – 7 sessions total

Cost

• CU Students: Free
• Community Members: $87.50

Summer Term

Fall Term

Location

• Carleton Pool – Alumni Hall

Important Notes

• Refunds or credits for missed sessions will not be provided.
• Make-up sessions can not be arranged, and substitute (non-registered) swimmers are not permitted.
• Please arrive (5-10) minutes before the start of the class and proceed to the Welcome Centre Desk to check-in before going to the pool-deck. Showers and day-use lockers are available — we recommend bringing valuables to the pool deck in a gym bag.
• Includes Lot 5 Parking. Parking codes will be included in your registration confirmation and welcome email.
• Registration is required in advance and space is limited.
• The Pool Gallery (accessible on the 3rd floor) is available for parent/guardians

Program Support

This program was developed with the support of Swim Ontario’s Darda Sales, a three-time Paralympic swimmer, wheelchair basketball player, and dual sport World Champion. Darda is the co-founder of the Intro to Para Swimming program with the London Aquatic Club and currently serves as Ontario’s Provincial Para Swimming Development Consultant.

The Para Swimming program is run in partnership with Swim Ontario and with ParaSport® Ontario supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

We are thankful to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for selecting Carleton University to receive a grant from their Sport Relief Fund. With Jumpstart’s support, we are able to provide equipment, quality coaching and subsidized registration fees for all participants who attend our Adaptive Sport programs.