Start Para-Swimming Hub

Swim England is working with Level Water, London Swimming, Evalina London Children’s Hospital and London Sport to get more disabled youngsters in the pool to learn to swim and, hopefully, become para-swimmers of the future.

Swim England has identified there are a low number of para-swimmers in particular boroughs of London. The six boroughs are Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southark. Evalina London Children’s Hospital, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, provides specialist services to children from south London, including the six boroughs identified.

This funding will deliver specific one-to-one swimming lessons through Level Water, free family disability swimming taster sessions, CPDs for teachers and coaches and to establish Start Para-swimming with clubs so that the pathway is open and accessible for future generations across the six boroughs.

How to get involved

A free taster session will be held at the Castle Centre on Friday 17 February between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. It is open to anyone with a physical disability (including cerebral palsy, amputees, spinal injuries, dwarfism, polio, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, or arthrogryposis) or visual impairment.

All participants should be confident in deep water. However, if one-to-one support is required then this must be provided by the participant with someone they are comfortable being in the water with.

Please note that places on this taster session are limited and by applying for the session, you are only registering your expression of interest – it does not guarantee your place in the session.

Clubs supporting Start Para-Swimming

Swim England has helped more than 30 existing para-swimming clubs to join the Start Para-swimming initiative throughout England. More clubs are looking to join the initiative throughout the year so be sure to check using the below map.