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 proudly relaunched our Adapted/Mixed Abilities program.
Our Adapted program is where athletes with unique abilities 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 opportunity for bonding, greater understanding and competitive opportunities.
For 2025-2026, we hope to expand both adapted and mixed programs to have a wider age range. Contact the club for more information on how we might support your swimmer!
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.
Age
- All are welcome
Times/Locations
- once per week
Events/Meets
- Optional
- Watershows: December 2020 and May 2023
Team Fees
- Based on the amount of desired time and on type of instruction during the once per week sessions
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.
Age
- All are welcome
Times/Locations
- 2-3 times per week
Events/Meets
- Watershows: December 2020 and May 2023
- Meets: as many as 5 per season
Team Fees
- Based on the amount time and on type of instruction