The Halliwick Concept (Foundation Level Course)
Venue: Brothers of Charity Pool, Kilcornan, Clarenbridge, Co. Galway.
Dates: Saturday 26th to Tuesday 29th July 2008.
Times: 9a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Cost: €250
Course Organisers: Aoife Ní Mhuirí, Lecturer in Health and Leisure
Studies, Institute of Technology, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
aoife.nimhuiri@staff.ittralee.ie
Niamh Daffy, Cara Adapted Physical Activity Centre, Institute of Technology,
Tralee, Co. Kerry.
niamh.daffy@staff.ittralee.ie
Tel: 066 71 45 64 6
Senior Lecturer: Mary Arrigan-Langan
Assistant Lecturer: Aoife Ni Mhuiri
Pool Demonstrator: Niamh Daffy
Download application form (869 kb word doc)...
Important Please Note:
The course takes place during Galway Race Week, which is the busiest week of the
year in the Galway tourist calendar. For people from outside of Galway wishing
to attend this course, it would be important to book accommodation as soon as
possible to ensure availability. Clarenbridge is approx. 10 miles south of
Galway City on the main Limerick road. Lists of available accommodation in
Clarenbridge and nearby towns/villages can be got from Galway Tourist Board on
www.galway-ireland.ie or tel: 091 53 77 00.
The Halliwick Concept.
The Halliwick Concept of teaching swimming or independent movement in water
to people with special needs is based on known scientific principles of
hydrostatics, hydrodynamics and body mechanics. It is applicable to people of
all ages, both those with disabilities and those without.
Swimmers are taught on a one-to-one ratio of instructor to swimmer, until the
time when complete independence is achieved. The swimmer / instructor pair
become a unit within a group activity, so that the swimmer gains the advantages
of social interaction with his/her peers, whilst at the same time enjoying the
unobtrusive but constant attention of an individual instructor. Through the
medium of games / activities appropriate to age and ability, groups are made
aware of the properties and behaviour of water and of how to control their own
balance. Swimmers reach a stage where they experience complete independence of
movement in water.
The Halliwick Concept - Foundation course.
On this course, participants gain an insight into a method of teaching people
with special needs to be as competent and independent as possible in the water.
Halliwick is the ideal Concept of teaching “water happiness”. The course covers
mental and physical adjustment to the water, relaxation, breathing control,
balance in the vertical and floating and basic movement skills. These are taught
in a relaxed and enjoyable way, using simple activities, games and music.
Some of the other topics covered are how to get people with a disability in and
out of the water, assisting and moving on land, understanding the effects of
water, the use of groups, badge work, competition and teaching techniques. There
are no pre-requisites and participants need not be strong swimmers. Anyone
interested in helping people with a disability in the water may attend. A
certificate of attendance is awarded. Information about further training and
qualifications will be given on the course. This course is recognised by the
International Halliwick Association (IHA).