Disability swimming classification
Classification is the grouping of athletes in swimming to ensure that there is a fair playing field. There are two types of classification: the functional classification system and the disability specific classification system.
For information on which disabilities are eligible to follow the disability swimming pathway please download the classification eligibility guidelines for disability swimming S1-S15.
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Co-ordinated by British Swimming, this system is for swimmers with a physical impairment and entails the assessment of a swimmer's functional mobility by IPC Swimming trained classifiers. The process involves a medical test, technical test and observation in competition. This type of classification also enables the identification of stroke exceptions applicable to an individual swimmer.
A minimum of two classifiers form a classification team consisting of a medical classifier, such as a doctor or physiotherapist, and a technical classifier, such as a swimming coach.
In the first instance swimmers will need to obtain a British Swimming classification and then as they progress along the elite pathway will be put forward for an international classification.
| Click here to download the Functional Classification Application Form |
| Click here to download the Functional Classification Application Form in a LARGER FONT |
The Functional Classification process is co-ordinated by British Swimming, and is the assessment of a swimmer’s functional ability and graded on a scale from S1-S15. For full details and eligibility guidelines for disability swimming please click on the link below.
| Click here to download Classification Eligibility Guidelines for Disability Swimming (S1-S15) |
For further information on any of these processes or systems please email classification@swimming.org
DISABILITY SPECIFIC CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
This system is co-ordinated by the relevant Disability Sports Organisations and allows swimmers of a similar and specific disability to compete against one another. There are individual classification systems for visually impaired, hearing impaired and learning impaired swimmers. For further information on any of these please follow the links below.
| Visually Impaired British Blind Sports www.britishblindsport.org.uk |
| Hearing Impaired British Deaf Swimming www.ukdeafsport.org.uk |
| Learning Disability UK Sports Association for People with a Learning Disability www.uksportassociation.org.uk |
| Intellectual Disability Mencap www.mencap.org.uk |
CLASSIFIERS
There are two types of classifier needed. These are a medical and a technical classifier, which make up a working pair. A medical classifier will either be a doctor or physiotherapist, and a technical classifier will be an ASA club coach.
| Click here to read both British Swimming and international disability swimmer classification statuses |
BECOMING A CLASSIFIER
Are you a doctor or physiotherapist with an interest in swimming, or know of anyone who fits this description? Alternatively are you an ASA qualified Club Coach with sound up to date technical knowledge and with an interest in or experience of working with disabled swimmers? If so please contact your ASA Regional Director for further information on how to become a classifier, or email the disability swimming team by clicking here.
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