Para Swimming

Para Swimming is the sport term used for swimmers with a physical, visual or intellectual impairment.  The first step towards being a para swimmer is to join a swimming program.  Once able to swim and race the next step is for a swimmer is to be classified.

If you have questions regarding para swimming, please contact Swim Alberta  

Para Swimming Resources

To view para swimming resources such as standards, records and classification information click here

Classification Information

Classification identifies the swimmers abilities.  Swimmers must have an eligible impairment in order to be classified.  There are four classification levels; Level 1 (introductory); Level 2 (provincial), Level 3 (national) and International.

The steps to classification are different based on the swimmers impairment (physical, visual or intellectual)

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.

Level 1 Classification

Level 1 Classification is the first level of classification, it provides the swimmer with an impairment category. The impairment category provides the swimmer with rule exceptions. Any swimmer with an impairment can receive a level 1 classification, there is no minimum age or experience swimming required.
The sport tags begin with PS and are specific to the impairment category:
PSPI – Para Swimmer Physically Impaired
PSVI – Para Swimmer Visually Impaired
PSII – Para Swimmer Intellectually Impaired

Swimmers with a visual or intellectual impairment can request classification based on a submission of paperwork. Request Classification

The first step for all swimmers with a physical impairment is to complete a level one classification which identifies swimmers as a para swimmer and provides the swimmer rule exceptions when appropriate. Request Classification

Level 2 Classification 

For swimmers aged 12 and older with a physical impairment to be classified at Level 2 (provincial) they will need to attend an in person classifications which in Alberta is done every November as a part of the Para Swimming Camp.  These swimmers should be swimming competitively, meaning attending sanctioned swim meets.  Swimmers with a physical impairment should be able to swim a 200m IM in competition.  During classification they will be expected to swim at least 150m of each stroke at race pace broken into skills of kick, pull and swim.  Athletes seeking Level 2 Classification Evaluation may have their coach apply for an opportunity. The form is available to coaches who log into the Learning Management System here: edu.swimming.ca. 

Level 3 Classification 

Athletes seeking a Level 3 Classification Evaluation may have their Provincial Sport Organization apply for an opportunity. The form is available to PSOs who log in to the Learning Management System here: edu.swimming.ca/admin

About International Classification

Once a swimmer is classified they will be identified by a series of numbers and letters that relate to their abilities for each stroke.  For more information about each classification go to the Lexi.Global website.

Para Swimming History

Para swimming grew out of several different movements in the 1940’s and 1950’s. During this time, four international sports bodies, divided by means of medical disability eventually combined to form the modern-day Paralympic movement. Swimming Canada became the first integrated National Sports Organization in 1993.

Today, a “sport-first” approach is being taken and international groups have moved towards representing specific sports, with consideration of a person’s disability as a secondary factor. The world sport governing body for persons with a disability, including swimming, is World Para Swimming, under International Paralympic Committee and it operates with sport specific committees that oversee the development of sport for the disability groups. Para swimming is a discipline for peoples with disability