Swimming

Competitive Swimming

For those who opt to compete, they may choose to participate in open and/or disability restricted events, governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) which incorporates the rules of FINA (international swimming federation).Depending on competition category swimmers may wear darkened blackout goggles. Blind/vision impaired swimmers may use a tactile ‘tap’ warning to the head or upper body to help indicate approach at end of each lap of the pool. Allowances may be made in the rules for blind/vision impaired swimmers who may swim too close to a lane line to execute technically correct arm strokes or touches in butterfly or breaststroke.

Photo of vision impaired participants in outdoor swimming pool.

Recreational Swimming

Vision Sports Ireland currently has two swimming hubs where lessons are held specifically for blind/vision impaired swimmers. Our junior lessons take place at Markievicz Pool in Dublin while we have another junior hub at Laois Leisure in Portlaoise.

We run adult lessons at Belvedere College on Tuesday evenings. Lessons are run alongside mainstream classes so this isn’t a specific vision impaired class rather an integrated session where the coach will make adaptions specific to your needs.

We are hoping to add more hubs in the future however in the meantime we can assist you to get in touch with your local pool and can advise on training and techniques to help you start or get back into swimming.

For more information please contact Rosie Keogh at rosie@visionsports.ie

Training and Education Opportunity

Vision Impaired Swimming CPD Course

This course will assist anyone who delivers swimming activities with support, ideas and guidance on how to include people with a visual impairment.
CPD

Paralympic Swimming

Para swimming is an exciting and inclusive sport for people with vision impairments. Races are adapted with techniques such as tapping, where a coach signals the swimmer using a pole, and lane ropes to help guide direction. Events are classified by level of vision to ensure fair competition.

Classification Categories for Vision Impaired Swimmers

S11 – Swimmers with very low or no sight. They wear blackened goggles and use a tapper for turns and finishes.
S12 – Swimmers with a higher level of vision than S11, but a visual field of less than 10 degrees. Some may use a tapper.
S13 – Swimmers with the least severe vision impairment, with a visual field of less than 40 degrees.