 Everybody can join! |
 It is always possible to learn something new in the water. |
The Finnish Special Swimming
In Finland knowing how to swim is regarded as a basic life skill. Every person should have the opportunity to attain, if not swimming, at least water skills. By water skills we mean the ability to be in and under the water without fear and with confidence and enjoyment.
Swimming for those with special needs (Special Swimming) has been part of FSL for 26 years. The aim of our Association is to further and to develop swimming for those with special needs in Finland. SUH Special Swimming is adapted swimming instruction; it takes into account the capabilities and strengths of the individual. Many other methods have also influenced to FSL Special Swimming.
The teaching of special swimming is based on the regular swimming instruction that every Finnish child receives at swimming school but it´s adabted to the needs of swimmers with special needs. In normal swimming schools, for instance, instructors take account of individual ways of moving and learning by reducing size of groups, using extra hands (swimming assistants) and giving further training to instructors. Also the speed and order of the swimmer´s progression are modified.
Swimmers with special needs can practise in many different ways in Finland. The most suitable for each one depend on the services and facilities offered by their place of residence. Swimming activities are organised at all levels, from baby and family swimming through to adult lessons and water gymnastics. Some swimmers may be able to use an ordinary pool, others will prefer group lessons intended for special swimmers or some can be integrated with regular groups. According to survey 23 % (Statistics Finland, 2010) of students are with special needs in primary and middle schools in Finland. Our conclusion is that almost every swim school has students with special needs. That is why swimming teacher should have special swimming skills to be able to instruct swimmers with special needs. Some swimming teachers are afraid to take these swimmers in their group because they have not knowledge or experiences to teach special swimmer. According to survey (FSL 2008) swimming teachers and other instructors have lot of prejudice and negative attitudes against swimmers with special needs. Teacher might like the idea of integration but still special swimmer in teachers own group is troublesome and burden.
In the year 2008 we did some research in Special Swimming by organising 11 At home in the water -courses. At home in the water –course gives basic information, practical advice and guidance on Special Swimming to all kind of workers in swimming hall.
We tried to find out if this At home in the water – course will be useful way to increase knowledge of Special Swimming. Will this short course increase positive attitude towards Special Swimming and will it help workers in swimming hall actually start groups for swimming for special needs or integration. Will this course decrease prejudice of Special Swimming.
In conclusion: At home in the water was really a success and these courses had a decreasing effect to prejudice. At home in the water –course was increasing knowledge and it actually helped to develop special swimming in municipal sport offices or other organisations. In conclusion you can say that it is right way to see Special Swimming teacher training course as a further and updating course for swimming teachers.
SUH offers education:
At home in the water –course gives basic information of special swimming.
Swimming Assistant –course you learn how to help swimmer in different situations.
Special Swimming Instructor –course teaches you to adapt swimming instruction and gives you a lot of practical experience. Anyone wishing to train as a special swimming instructor must first complete the basic swimming instructor´s course run by the FSL.
Special Swimming technique –course Join in this course if you want to learn more about adapted swimming techniques and modifications.
The badges awarded by FSL are eminently suitable for all swimmers. Swimming Skills Table is same for everyone and encourages the swimmer to practise thoroughly the different areas of swimming. We have also disability modifications.
Since 2008 the development of swimming for those with special needs has taken got remarkable steps forward: FSL has got its own training coordinator to develop Special swimming. Also the Finnish Swimming Association was the first sports organization in Finland, who hired Disability Swimming coordinator to develop swimming for disabled, including elite disability swimming in autumn 2008. These two coordinators co-operate with good results. The intention of this work is to present the organization of Special swimming and the results of the work that has been done to promote Special swimming in Finland.
Load The Finnish Special Swimming dias here.
