Swimmers – Para Swimming

Para Swimming is the term used for swimmers with a disability. Swimmers compete in categories that include physical, visual and intellectual impairment. The first step for a swimmer is to be classified.

Classification Information

Swimmers with a physical impairment need to be able to swim a 100m IM continuously, for extreme physical impairments this may mean 75m IM continuously.

Each of the swimmers’ strokes must be recognizable. Swimmers aged 10 & under must meet the above and get permission from Swimming Canada’s Head of 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.

Strokes

S = Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly
SB = Breaststroke SM = Individual Medley

Once a swimmer is classified their information will be available on Swimming Canada’s classification database so that meet managers and officials can confirm any rule exceptions for the swimmer.