“I have just been on a Halliwick AST Foundation Course. It was outstanding and I loved every minute. As a swimming teacher of 30 years, I have been on many courses but this is the best one I have ever been on.”

Vicki, Swimming Teacher

“I have already put into practice a couple of the techniques shown last weekend with positive results.”

Anon., After the first 2 days of a Halliwick Foundation Course

“As a physiotherapist, I have realised how important it is to work on and improve skills rather than focus on just the problems in the body. Halliwick is a great way to further develop skills and independence of clients. I had some nice “Aha!” moments during the course and experienced how much people can adapt. Thank you.”

Katalin, Physiotherapist on completing Foundation Course

“After just the first weekend on the course, learning Halliwick technique enabled me to transform my swimming session and one of my parents noted that it had an instant positive effect on her child.”

Sally, Teacher at school for special needs children

“Thank you for such an informative, jam-packed week of swimming, theory and pure enjoyment.  The lecturer was on point with her theory delivery and hands-on skills tought in the pool …  The overall facility and course delivery were second to none and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Meeting like-minded people, sharing skills across the table is a rare opportunity and I cannot wait to put all theses proccesses tought into practice at my club.”

Phillip, Halliwick Swimming Club

Halliwick AST offers a number of courses for those interested in either learning about the Halliwick Concept or qualifying as an instructor or lecturer.

Halliwick AST courses are approved by the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP).  You can visit the ATACP website here.

You can find courses currently available here:

What do the courses involve? …

The Halliwick AST Foundation Course is the basic course in the Halliwick Concept, consisting of 4 days’ training (or its equivalent in hours), and includes both theory and pool work. Most courses are held over 2 weekends, but it is possible to run courses over a block of 4-day or over a series of evenings, if lecturers are available.

The aim of days 1 & 2 of training is to enable instructors to have a knowledge of and practice a concept of teaching people of all ages with special needs to be as competent and independent as possible in the water.

The aim of days 3 & 4 of training is to consolidate knowledge and practice gained over the first 2-days and to devise, plan and record groups and games to promote swimmer’s progress.

On completion of the Halliwick AST Foundation Course, a Certificate of Attendance is awarded.

To gain a Certificate of Competence (the Halliwick Instructor’s Certificate – HIC) the candidate must complete (after the Course) a minimum of 35 hours experience working with disabled swimmers and successfully complete an assessment.  Further information about this will be given on the Foundation Course you attend. (There may be expenses/a fee involved.)

There are 2 Halliwick AST Advanced Courses available (follow link for more information).

A pre-requisite for attending any of the Advanced Courses is that you have attended and completed a Halliwick Foundation Course.

 Course 1 – Halliwick AST Advanced Course Teaching and Applying Halliwick Skills (formerly the ‘Advanced Teaching Course’):

The general objectives of the Advanced Teaching Course are to prepare instructors to teach the pool work of the Halliwick Concept to potential helpers and instructors, and to lead group sessions competently at club sessions or on a course working with an IHA Recognised Lecturer. It will build on the skills and knowledge gained on the Foundation Course.

Course 2 – Halliwick AST Advanced Course for Therapists in paediatric neurological rehabilitation:

The aim of this course is to enable therapists to use the Halliwick Concept specifically in the context of therapy for children with neuro-developmental difficulties.

If you are interested in the Halliwick Instructor’s Certificate and want to apply, take a look here.

There are a number of other  courses that are being developed to support those working with different client groups.  Keep looking at this website for details of these or email us here.

These are intended to give a flavour of Halliwick.  There is more information here.

In addition to the training courses outlined above, we can offer speakers to give introductory talks and pool demonstrations, or to show a video, as a taster for a full course. Expenses of the speaker must be covered and there may be a fee required by the lecturer.  If you are interested in more information, then please email us here.

Please take a look here.