Recreational swimmers have typically not met any Para standards, are new to swimming, are currently learning the basics of the sport, and/or only training and competing seasonally.
Next steps:
- Join a team!
- Learn about and consider applying for national classification.
- Progress to complete 50m swims safely and legally.
- Strive for U.S. Paralympics Swimming Motivational Time Standards
Best swim meets:
- Local club or school meets with home team.
- Recreational level Para meet or Para open event. More information on competitions may be found at on our Competition webpage.
Best camps / clinics:
- Intro to Para Swimming Clinic.
- Stroke clinic at a Para Open Series meet
- Any "able-body" swim camp or clinic.
Please contact U.S. Paralympics Swimming with any questions at USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org.
Competitive level swimmers are typically nationally classified, have met a U.S. Paralympics Swimming Motivation time standard in their assigned sport class, and are training with a competitive swim program and competing in meets.
Next steps for you:
- Consider joining a year-round program and working with a coach.
- Establish goals with coach, strive to progress through the motivational time standards and towards an emerging standard.
- Learn skills & strategies for competing.
- Identify areas for growth including "hidden training" like sleep & nutrition.
Best swim meets:
- Local club and/or school meets with home team.
- Recreational Para events, Para Open events, U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships and potentially even a Trials event.
Best camps / clinics:
- Intro to Para Swimming Clinic
- Stroke Clinic at a Para Open Series meet - Check meet packets for potential clinics
- Any "able-body" camp or clinic
Please contact U.S. Paralympics Swimming with any questions at USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org.
Emerging level athletes have met an emerging standard, are swimming year-round, and are developing advanced skills both in & out of the pool which drive performance.
Next steps for you:
- Learn about international classification.
- Communicate with U.S. Paralympics Swimming staff regarding training, support services & competitions.
- Develop travel skills, consider obtaining a passport in anticipation of international travel and classification.
- Develop training & competition plans with coach to attain national team standards.
Best swim meets:
- Higher-level Para meets like U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships, World Para Swimming World Series events, and Trials events in the United States.
- Continue competing with your school or club program and at regional Para events.
Best Camps / Clinics
- Stroke clinic at a Para Open Series meet.
- May be invited to an emerging camp.
- Any "able-body" camp or clinic.
Please contact U.S. Paralympics Swimming with any questions at USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org.
The Rising Stars Team supports developing athletes who are not yet internationally classified but have hit National A or B time standards and are working towards achieving international classification. Athletes in the Rising Stars Program receive support in terms of training, coaching, and travel until they can be internationally classified and move up to the National A or B Team. Rising Stars athletes are provided with the resources needed to bridge the gap to higher team levels.Next steps for you:
1. Promptly attend to U.S. Paralympics Swimming communications and work with U.S. Paralympics Swimming to find a classification opportunity.
2. Work closely with your primary coach to establish training plans which will help you perform your best at events like trials and major international events if you are named to a team.
Best swim meets:
- Higher-level Para meets like U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships, World Para Swimming World Series events, and Trials events in the United States.
- Continue competing with your school or club program and at regional Para events.
Best camps / clinics:
1. May be invited to a U.S. Paralympics Swimming camp.
2. Any "able-body" camp or clinic.
Please contact U.S. Paralympics Swimming with any questions at USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org.
The U23 Team is the entry level of the National Team Program and is designed to capture developing athletes on their way to attain higher levels of National Team status en route to achieving their Paralympic Games medal objectives.
Next steps for you:
1. Promptly attend to U.S. Paralympics Swimming communications.
2. Work closely with your primary coach to establish training plans which will help you perform your best at events like trials and major international events if you are named to a team.
Best swim meets:
- Higher-level Para meets like U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships, World Para Swimming World Series events, and Trials events in the United States.
- Continue competing with your school or club program and at regional Para events.
Best camps / clinics:
1. May be invited to a U.S. Paralympics Swimming camp.
2. Any "able-body" camp or clinic.
Please contact U.S. Paralympics Swimming with any questions at USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org.
National B level athletes have met a National B standard and have systems for operating independently of your coach when necessary.
Next steps:
- Learn to use services available through U.S. Paralympics Swimming like sports psych, sports medicine, nutrition, strength and conditioning, recovery, race analysis, video analysis, and test sets.
- Work closely with your primary coach to establish training plans which will help you perform your best at events like trials and major international events if you are named to a team.
Best swim meets:
- Attend higher-level Para meets like U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships, World Para Swimming World Series events, and Trials events in the United States.
2. Continue competing with your school or club program and at regional Para events.
Best camps / clinics:
- U.S. Paralympics Swimming camps - invite only.
- Any "able-body" camp or clinic.
Please contact U.S. Paralympics Swimming with any questions at USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org.
National A level athletes have met a National A standard and are taking advantage of the service providers that U.S. Paralympics Swimming offers (ex., sports nutrition, psych etc.).
Next steps:
- Work closely with your primary coach to establish training plans which will help you perform your best at events like trials and major international events if you are named to a team.
Best swim meets:
- Attend higher-level Para meets like U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships, World Para Swimming World Series events, and Trials events in the United States.
- Continue to compete at your school or club program competitions and regional Para events.
Best camps / clinics:
- U.S. Paralympics Swimming camps - invite only.
- Any "able-body" camp or clinic.
Please contact U.S. Paralympics Swimming with any questions at USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org.
This course provides an overview of Para Swimming in the United States. It's designed for swimmers with a disability, coaches, parents and anyone interested in the sport or supporting a swimmer with a disability.This course is hosted on Zoom and registration is required. To view upcoming course dates and/or register for a session, please visit the Camps and Clinics page.
If you have additional questions about how to get started in Para swimming, please reach out to us at USPara.SwimInfo@usopc.org
