A series of new adaptive swim programs for children and youth with disabilities between the ages of four months and 12 years are coming to the Trent Athletics Centre for the spring 2013 program session thanks to a new partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre.

The programs – Adaptive Parent & Tot (ages 4-48 months), Adaptive Intro to Swim (ages 4-6 years) and Adaptive Swim Skills (ages 7-12 years) – will provide participants with the opportunity to develop swim skills in a group environment with the additional instruction and attention required to meet their unique needs. All programs start Wednesday, April 10.

“Recreation environments for swimming are fun and important for children to build comfort in the water. This new program at Trent is a multi-step (based on age) program focused on developing swim skills for children with disabilities at their own pace but with the benefits of a group lesson setting,” said Colleen Ristok, Recreation Therapist Coordinator at Five Counties Children's Centre. “The benefits of aquatics are universal and apply to swimmers with disabilities as well. These programs offer children and youth in the community who have the interest but have not found the right environment in traditional lesson format a chance to learn and practice swim skills.”

In the new adaptive swim programs, participants will have the opportunity to use both the warm therapy pool and 25-m competitive pool. The Athletic Centre’s many accessibility features, including large family/accessible change room with Hoyer lift and portable pool lift, make it the ideal location for these new programs.

“We are proud to be offering these new adaptive swim programs in partnership with Five Counties,” said Trent Aquatics Supervisor Alyssa Heffernan. “The physical and social benefits for participants are numerous. These programs will help improve flexibility and cardiovascular endurance, all in a fun group environment which helps promote self-esteem and self-confidence.”

All adaptive swim programs start Wednesday, April 10, 2013 and run weekly for 10 weeks on Wednesday nights between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Programs are open to both members and non-members. Registration for adaptive programs must be completed in person or over the phone with Alyssa Heffernan, Aquatics Supervisor at the Trent Athletics Centre. Please call (705) 748-1432 or e-mail alyssaheffernan@trentu.ca for information.