Adaptive Aquatics Equipment Tips

Dive into the world of adaptive swim equipment with Swim Angelfish's FREE mini-course presented by Ailene Tisser and Cindy Freedman, the founders of Swim Angelfish.

Are you a swim instructor teaching children with special needs and disabilities how to swim? This FREE mini-course will open up your eyes to a variety of adaptive swim equipment that will help your swimmers with special needs thrive in the water.

We talk about our favorite pieces of adaptive aquatics equipment, the purpose of each piece, and how these items can be used to develop swim skills, such as rollovers, back floats, strokes, changing direction, and even how items can help to provide resistance for heavy work sessions. We also delve into how these pieces of equipment can be a game-changer for swimmers facing various sensory and physical challenges. Whether your swimmer needs help grasping items or requires extra support, we've got you covered.

In this video, we showcase some of our favorite pieces, including Big Joe Toys, SloMo Balls, Barbells, Smileys, Kick Boards, Neck Collars, Personal Flotation Devices, and so much more!

Water Safety is our top priority, so we'll remind you to always keep a close watch on your swimmers while they use any equipment, and stay within arm's reach. Remember, these tools are meant to be used purposefully for short periods to help achieve specific swim goals.


This course is closed for enrollment.

Your Instructor


Swim Angelfish
Swim Angelfish
Meet the unstoppable forces making waves in the world of adaptive aquatics, transforming abilities one stroke at a time since 2000: Cindy Freedman (MOTR), and Ailene Tisser MA, PT, Co-Founders of Swim Angelfish.
Not only is Swim Angelfish a successful swim school and aquatic therapy provider; it is also an industry-recognized training resource for aquatic professionals wanting to improve their adaptive skill set. Through the specialized Swim Whisperers Certification and Aquatic Therapy training programs, Swim Angelfish equips aquatic professionals with the transformative expertise needed to effectively engage and unlock the potential of swimmers with special needs.
Cindy’s adaptive aquatics journey blended her lifelong love for the water with over 3 decades of experience as an Occupational and Recreational Therapist. Ailene’s adaptive aquatics journey combined her love of the water with her passion for helping individuals achieve their Physical Therapy goals, making the impossible possible by utilizing her therapy skills combined with the magic of the water.
This journey culminated in the creation of Swim Angelfish, an organization dedicated to addressing the concerning statistic of drowning as the leading cause of death for children with special needs.
Get ready to be inspired and motivated by Cindy and Ailene’s love and dedication to adaptive swim, aquatic therapy, and above all, the swimmers they help. Their journey isn't just about swimming; it's about diving deep into the sea of possibilities and making a difference by changing lives.



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.

Featured Courses

Level 1: Adaptive Swim Whisperers® Certification - 14 Hours
An introduction to the 14 most common Roadblocks and 11 Areas of Focus. You will learn adaptive strategies and techniques to strengthen your adaptability and confidence when teaching swimmers with special needs.
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Level 2: Adaptive Swim Whisperers Certification® - 6 Hours
Level 2 is a deeper dive into the understanding of the formula and how you can use it for swim progressions. Gain a broader understanding of how to integrate the Swim Whisperers® methodology seamlessly during your lessons.
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Level 3: Adaptive Swim Whisperers Certification® - 6 Hours
Elevate your adaptive swim skills with Level 3! Master techniques to help students conquer multiple roadblocks & achieve swim goals confidently. Solidify skill progression & automate strategy application in your lessons.
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This course is your introduction to a wide range of adaptive swim equipment and we guarantee that you will take-away valuable insights, tips, and tricks that you can implement in your lessons immediately.