Interested in learning to swim, or looking to boost your skills in the pool?
Sporting Wheelies is proud to offer a new Adaptive Aquatics program in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), at the fully accessible QUT indoor pool at the Gardens Point Campus in Brisbane.
Expressions of interest are now open for a start date in mid-October – read on to find out more!
Who is the program for?
The program is open to people with a physical and/or intellectual disability.
An experienced swimming coach will lead you through a private or group lesson, depending on your preference.
What you’ll learn
Skills: Learn to swim or further develop your technique, to work towards your own personal goals
Knowledge: Increase your confidence in the water and learn more about what works best for you
Improved Fitness: Enjoy the health and wellness benefits of exercise, with the added benefits of being in the buoyant environment
How the program works
The program will run for eight weeks of each school term, on Fridays and Saturdays.
Group lessons will be held for one hour, while private lessons will be held for 30 minutes. All lessons incorporate a warmup and mobility activities before the adaptive aquatic skills and development program. The program is individually tailored to your needs and goals, guided by your qualified swimming coach.
You can use your NDIS funding to participate in the program, or the Sporting Wheelies team can invoice you directly.
FAQs
You can read Frequently Asked Questions below, and contact 07 3253 3333 or email sport@sportingwheelies.org.au if you have any further questions.
When will the lessons take place?
The Adaptive Aquatics program will take place on Fridays and Saturdays, with both private and group lessons available. The Sporting Wheelies team confirm specific timings with you after receiving expressions of interest.
Where will the lessons take place?
The lessons will take place at the QUT Fitness and Aquatic Centre, P Block, QUT Gardens Point Campus, 2 Gardens Point Rd. See Google Maps.
Is parking available?
Accessible parking is available onsite and will be included in the program costs.
What accessible facilities are available?
The QUT Fitness and Aquatic Centre at Gardens Point has an indoor temperature-controlled pool, with an aquatics/pool wheelchair and ramp available to assist you to transfer in and out of the water.
An accessible bathroom/change room is available. Please note there are no hoist facilities at the pool.
What experience is required?
The program caters for athletes of all levels, whether you are a beginner learning to swim, or a more advanced swimmer working on your stroke technique.
What if I’ve never been swimming before?
That’s okay, the program caters for beginners! However, private lessons are recommended in this case, to give students one-on-one attention and support, which is important during the learning phase.
What do I need to bring to the lesson?
You will need to bring your clothes to change into after your lesson, plus a towel, goggles and water.
To maximise your lesson time, it’s recommended to change into your swimwear prior to arriving at the pool and arriving 10 minutes early, to ensure everything is ready to go at the commencement of the lesson time.
Do I need a support worker to assist me in the classes?
It’s recommended that you have an additional person with you, whether that be a Personal Support Worker, family member or friend, to assist you during your lesson. This is particularly important for getting changed before and after swimming and transferring in and out of the pool.
What happens if I have a pressure sore?
For health and safety reasons, clients with open wounds will not be able to enter the pool. If you have an open wound this will either need to be dressed or rescheduling may be required.
What do I do if I wear a continence aid?
Please empty your urine/stoma bag before your lesson. If you feel as though you would be more comfortable covering this, you can wear either a rashie or sun shirt. There are companies with a range of incontinence swimwear that are designed and approved to be used in all swimming and hydrotherapy pools internationally. Contact the Sporting Wheelies team for more information.
Can I use my NDIS funding?
Yes! Just let the Sporting Wheelies team know when you complete the expression of interest form, and they will invoice you at the end of the program term to claim through your NDIS funding. Read more on the form by clicking here.
For participants who do not have NDIS funding, you can pay at the time of registration. Parking fees are included.
How long does the program go for?
Each term runs for eight weeks, with program lessons running for either 30 minutes (private lessons) or one hour (group lessons).
What if I want to sign up mid-term?
You can sign up at any time during the term to give it a go. The Sporting Wheelies team will simply invoice you for any lessons remaining for the term.
How do I sign up?
You can complete an expression of interest by clicking here and the Sporting Wheelies team will be in touch with more information soon. If you have any questions, call 3253 3333 or email sport@sportingwheelies.org.au.
What other sports do you have available?
Sporting Wheelies also offers:
- Wheelchair Fundamentals – This is Sporting Wheelies’ introductory program to the world of wheelchair sports, where you’ll learn more about wheelchair sports, master manual wheelchair handling and essential ball skills, and grow your fitness.
- Wheelchair Basketball – An exciting version of basketball that was initially started for its rehabilitation benefits, with all the fun that comes with being part of a team sport.
- Boccia – Often referred to as the world’s most inclusive sport, Boccia is a bowling game that requires concentration, strategy and accuracy.
- Para Powerlifting – Including bench press, squat and dead lift for athletes with vision impairment, and bench press for athletes with other physical disabilities
If you just want to stay healthy and active, there’s also a range of group fitness classes available, led by experienced Exercise Physiologists.
Questions?
If you have any questions, call 07 3253 3333 or email sport@sportingwheelies.org.au.