Little Narwhals Adaptive Swim Club

Let's talk about TRUST.

Trust is an important part of connecting with a teacher for all children, and even more so for children on the spectrum, childen who've experienced aquatic trauma or children with a disability. Adding in the element of water into this connection makes it all the more important that student and teacher are given the opportunity to build a rapport based on mutual trust and respect. Once trust has been established, we can start to work on confidence and skill building.

Question: Is it realistic to expect your child to jump straight into the water with a brand new teacher at their first adaptive swim session?

In most cases, no. And that's ok.

An adaptive swim session offers the flexibility and individual approach many children need to build trust, and avoid causing any aquatic trauma.

If you think adaptive swim could be a good fit for your child, please don't hesitate to contact [email protected] with your enquiry.

Have a wonderful Monday 🙂

Mon 🐳🦄

New Adaptive Aquatics session times available for Ipswich/Fernvale. Please contact [email protected] or 0401879345 for more info. 🌞

Did you know? The raised pavers on the paths of busy areas like Queen Street Mall are part of a braille trail, which helps people with a white cane move around the city safely and easily. 🧑‍🦯🦮 It’s important not to stand or block the trails, as you could block the path of someone who is relying on them to navigate. Help keep braille trails clear by standing away from them and not placing any items onto them or near them.

SkateAway Bundamba SKATEAWAY:QLD's No.1 Air Conditioned Family Roller Skating Centre

A huge thank you to my wonderful student who drew this amazing picture for me! So talented!! Thank you so much, I love it!
-Mon 🥰

🎉CELEBRATION🎉

THANK YOU NARWHAL COMMUNITY! (It's a big post but worth the read, I promise!)

Recently, I celebrated the 1000th Adaptive Swim session for Little Narwhals/Safe Swimmers Australia. ☺️ It feels odd to say "I" when posting on behalf of a business/organisation, but the truth is it really is just me! Every session, text reminder, admin, invoice, phone call, meeting, pool leasing, insurance, NDIS communication; all done by yours truly! So I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been encouraging, supportive and helpful since I started this Adaptive Aquatics dream, I am so grateful! An especially big thank you to the swim schools who share their pools with us every week, and my wonderful Narwhal families and clients! Running a service business as unique as this whilst also raising three kids of my own and being a FIFO spouse is no picnic, but I love what I do and I love seeing all my Little Narwhals every week!

That being said, it's time to expand! 💗Adaptive Aquatics is an in-demand service, and I have a LONG waiting list of clients waiting to access session availability. What does this mean? Please read on! ➡️

🏆SWIM TEACHERS: I need you! I am looking to hire an experienced and qualified learn-to-swim teacher (or 2!), who is disability/Autism Swim qualified (or willing to be), and lifeguard training a plus. You will ideally have a deep love of teaching swimming, great after-school/afternoon availability and understand the importance of teacher consistency and routine for Adaptive Aquatics clients. Own car is a necessity. In return I can offer a great hourly rate and a unique work opportunity, ideally matching you with a swim school lease in close travel distance to your home. All queries to [email protected]

🏊🏽‍♀️SWIM SCHOOLS: I also need you! Do you have quiet hours/ an available lane during the week, especially afternoons? If you have (heated) pool space available for hour/day lease, please reach out! We have waiting lists for: Ipswich, Toowoomba/Gatton, Centenary/Brisbane West, Browns Plains/ South Brisbane, Logan/Gold Coast and North Brisbane. [email protected]

🐠CLIENTS: Waiting lists are now OPEN again as we head towards expanding. Who is Adaptive Aquatics suitable for? Children 2-18 years who have a disability, are on the Autism spectrum, who have previous aquatic trauma/near-drowning incident or another need which excludes them from group and mainstream swimming classes. Please send your waiting list enquiries (including suburb) to [email protected]

💡COMMUNITY: Are you a stakeholder, NDIS participant or local politician interested in the future of accessible drowning prevention and disability-inclusive aquatics in your area? Please don't hesitate to reach out, I would love to include you in the upcoming Adaptive Aquatics Advocacy group, details to be released shortly.

🦄🐳🦄🐳🦄🐳🦄🐳
If you read this far, thanks so much! What Little Narwhals has created is something really special and important, so your support and encouragement means the world.

See you in the pool!
Mon 🥰

Great idea!

Girls 1+12yo! Bathroom zipper to make life easier 🥰 . . . #beach #girl #love #goldcoast #adventure #swimwearaustralia #swimming #instagood #play

Good morning Narwhal family and community,

As TC Alfred approaches, we are all doing what we can to take reasonable precautions and keep safe. This specific alert is for our sensitive ears/sensory kids. This weather event will likely be EXTREMELY loud. Think “jet engine sitting on your head” loud, for an extended period of time. If you haven’t already, please ensure you have enough ear protection for your family, and particularly our little ones.

Ear muffs/plugs or a combo of both are good options. At a pinch, blu-tac makes good ear plugs. (Please be aware of choking hazards.)

Stay safe. Sending love to everyone bunkering down. 🐳 🦄 💓