Living in the Sea to Sky means being surrounded by water, from lakes and rivers to coastal environments that shape how we play, explore, and connect outdoors. Learning to swim is more than recreation, it is a vital life-saving skill that supports safety and confidence in and around water.
For individuals with disabilities and neurodiversity, access to inclusive swim instruction and water safety education is especially important. People may experience aquatic environments in very different ways, including how they process sensory input, communicate needs, interpret safety cues, or coordinate movement. When swimming ability is still developing, or when water safety routines are not yet familiar, these differences can make it harder to recognise or respond to risk in and around water.
Building comfort and confidence in aquatic environments takes time. Adaptive, supportive instruction plays a key role in developing both skills and independence.
This summer, Whistler Adaptive Sports Program is offering a progressive swim pathway designed to support participants at every stage of their aquatic journey.
Start with Our Free Open Water Safety “Try It Day”
Friday, July 3 | Alice Lake Provincial Park
A free 60-minute introductory session to teach participants, parents and caregivers key open water safety skills including:
- Staying calm and confident in natural water environments
- Understanding changing conditions such as temperature, depth, and visibility
- Foundational self-rescue skills
- Safe water entry and exit techniques
- Basic movement and comfort in open water
- Essential safety equipment including tow floats
The session focuses on building awareness, confidence, and practical safety skills while helping participants become familiar with the supports and safety systems used throughout our summer programming.
Whether your goal is increased water confidence, improved safety skills, or simply trying something new, this is the perfect introduction to open water swimming.
Continue with the 4-Week Swim Program
Participants who are ready can continue into our 4-Week Open Water Swim Program, designed to build on foundational skills and support progression over time. The program focuses on confidence, independence, and developing the ability to safely enjoy lakes, rivers, and other aquatic environments.
Our goal is simple: to support more people to feel safe, capable, and confident in and around water, for life.
Learn more
Our approach to adaptive water safety is informed by leading resources in the field of inclusive aquatics and drowning prevention.To learn more about risk factors, prevention strategies, and adaptive approaches for individuals with disabilities and neurodiversity, visit Swim Angelfish’s guide on adaptive water safety:
https://swimangelfish.com/water-safety-for-children-with-disabilities-adaptive-strategies-risks-prevention-guide/