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THE HALLIWICK CONCEPT:
TEACHING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO SWIM
FOR OVER 50 YEARS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE BENEFITED FROM WATER ACTIVITIES USING THE HALLIWICK CONCEPT
Halliwick was developed by James McMillan, known as Mac, with his wife Phyl. Their aim was teaching swimming to children with disabilities, who attended the Halliwick School in London. From simple beginnings the Halliwick method has become a worldwide phenomenon.
Mac and the instructors in the first Halliwick club, ‘Halliwick Penguins’, in North London were swimming teachers. Halliwick was developed by, and for, nonmedical people. The Halliwick concept has developed and progressed over the years but continues to be based on Mac and Phyl’s original ideas described here.
Mainstream swimming teaching has developed in the wake of the Halliwick concept so that Halliwick sessions may not seem dissimilar from mainstream swimming lessons. However, the following outline of both the philosophy of the Halliwick concept and the Ten Point Programme give a flavour of what the Halliwick concept is about. Water Happiness The emphasis is on water happiness and enjoyable pool sessions with an aim towards maximum benefit for participants. Instructors are in the water, with a one to one relationship with swimmers, supporting swimmers according to need and encouraging confidence and independence.
Enjoyment is enhanced through games, for both younger and older swimmers alike. It has been said, ‘we don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing’. New skills learned are incorporated into games and often the most reluctant swimmers enjoy the games the most.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HALLIWICK CONCEPT
Positive thinking Participants in Halliwick sessions are called ‘swimmers’, the focus is on their ability in the water and their disabilities are often considered inconsequential.
Games are not always structured; simple game-like activities serve as a good introduction, particularly adult swimmers. Sometimes playfulness has to be learned. As swimmers progress, the games may offer a greater challenge thus increasing motivation. Enjoyment tends to be greater where there are others to share with, thus a group of five or six swimmers is ideal.
Teach in a Logical Order Each activity in the Ten-Point Programme is carefully considered and introduced only when the previous skills are mastered. ‘Make haste slowly’ is the maxim. Each stage in learning a skill is the platform to the next stage. If any stage is not thoroughly learned and assimilated, swimmers’ subsequent learning may be compromised.
No Floatation Aids Halliwick teaches that floatation aids inhibit learning of vital water safety skills such as breathing control and submerging activities. They lead to poor body positions, a false sense of security and reliance on the aid. On the other hand, without floatation aids swimmers can learn to control unwanted rotation and can potentially experience independent and free movement in the water.
THE TEN POINT PROGRAMME
Point 1 Mental Adjustment Point 2 Disengagement Point 3 Transversal Rotational control (forwards / backwards) Point 4 Sagittal Rotational control (side to side) Point 5 Longitudinal Rotational control (axis from head to foot) Point 6 Combined Rotational control Point 7 Upthrust Point 8 Balance in Stillness Point 9 Turbulent Gliding Point 10 Simple progression and a basic swimming movement
For more information about The Ten Point Programme visit the website at the end of this article.
Mental adjustment and disengagement are thus crucial to the following eight points in the programme. Swimmers are introduced to a new point and make a little progress before the next point is introduced. Further progress is made, and the next point is introduced. The end result is ‘water free’ swimmers ready to create their own propulsive movements.
For further information about the Halliwick concept visit www.halliwick.org.uk
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Beryl Kelsey qualified as a nurse in both psychiatry and learning disability. As a nurse she became interested in teaching swimming to people with disabilities and developed a swimming programme for the residents of three hospitals. She qualified as an ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) teacher and later as a Halliwick Instructor and Lecturer. She has run a Halliwick club for twenty years and lectures on Halliwick courses in the UK and abroad. She is active in The Halliwick Association of Swimming Therapy and has served on the Executive Committee of the International Halliwick Association.
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HALLIWICK FOUNDATION COURSE Tuesday 18th – Friday 21st August 2020 Hymers College, Hymers Avenue, Hull Cost £450 For further details contact the organiser catherinerobinson1@hotmail.co.uk
