Adapted/Mixed Abilities

Adapted/Mixed Abilities Programs for Athletes with Unique Abilities

Artistic Swimming is a great sport to develop and encourage athletes with unique abilities, whether they be cognitive or physical.

Toronto Artistic Swimming Club has a long history of supporting these endeavours.  Over a decade ago, and in consultation with renowned disability in sport expert, Vicki Keith, through a Quest for Gold Experts Express grant, we developed an innovative and comprehensive coach training program to ensure that our competitive athletes with unique abilities had the best possible support.

For 2024-2025, we are proudly relaunching our Adapted/Mixed Abilities program.

Our Adapted program is where athletes with unique abilities aged 13+ train and compete at the Competitive level in an adapted format catered to their needs. 

Our Mixed Abilities program pairs Adapted athletes similarly aged non-disabled Competitive athletes to create teams and extra routines.  This creates a wonderful opportunitiy for bonding, greater understanding and competitive opportunities.   

Current opportunities have limited space and are contingent on coaching and pool availability.  Contact the club for more information on how we might support your swimmer! 

Artistic Swimming Skills

Learn advanced synchro skills and improve synchro technique through figures and routine development.

Swim and Dive Training

Learn proper swimming stroke and dive technique.

Athletic Foundation

Improve strength, endurance and flexibility. Build an athletic foundation that is transferable to any activity and sport.

Team Bonding

Bond with teammates and make lifelong friendships.

Recreational AWD Program

Athletes with different abilities of all ages can train once a week developing basic swimming and artistic swimming skills. Swimmers can choose to participate in a watershows and other club events. 

As our programs cater to each individual swimmer’s needs and abilities, cost is not a set amount, but is based on the amount of desired time and on type of instruction during the once per week sessions.  This can be specialized one-on-one attention or integration into a group setting.  

Coaches will make an assessment of the swimmer’s needs, particularly in relation to their specific cognitive or physical disability, which will determine the fee structure.

Competitive AWD Program

Competitive swimmers train for the full season and work on developing more advanced skills and a choreographed routine.  Training is typically one-on-one with a specially-trained competitive coach and usually takes place approx 2-3 times or 4-6 hours per week.  If desired, swimmers will participate in as many as 5 meets and perform at up to 2 watershows.  

Coaches will make an assessment of the swimmer’s needs, particularly in relation to their specific cognitive or physical disability, which will determine the ideal training schedule to maximize their development.  Like other competitive athletes in the club, AWD Competitive swimmers will pay an initial deposit when they register, then follow the prescribed fee schedule determined by their training hours and coaching requirements.