Strokes
Strokes
Para swimmers compete across freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley, in pools identical to Olympic competition.
5 stroke disciplines
Our Sports
Para Swimming
Introduction
Excellence In Every Stroke
Para swimming is one of South Africa’s proudest Paralympic codes. Led by the legendary Natalie du Toit, our swimmers have claimed medals at every level — proving that the water is where barriers disappear.
How the Sport Works
Three Pillars, One Sport
Para swimming follows Olympic pool standards and World Para Swimming regulations. Athletes compete in their classified category across multiple strokes, with the classification system ensuring fair competition for every impairment type.
Classification
Classification
Swimmers are classified S1–S10 (physical impairment), S11–S13 (visual impairment) and S14 (intellectual impairment), with lower numbers indicating greater impairment.
3 impairment groups
Records
Paralympic History
South African swimmers hold a proud record of Paralympic finals and podiums dating back to 1996.
Since 1996
Roll of Honour
Our Paralympic Medallists
Every Para Swimming athlete who has stood on a Paralympic podium for South Africa. Ranked by total medals won.
Full Roll — 13 Athletes
- 15Natalie du Toit13 Gold (2004, 2008, 2012), 2 Silver (2004, 2012)🥇 13🥈 2
- 7Scott Field5 Silver (2000, 2004), 2 Bronze (2000, 2004)🥈 5🥉 2
- 7Malcolm Pringle3 Gold (1996, 2000, 2004), 3 Silver (1996, 2004), 1 Bronze (2000)🥇 3🥈 3🥉 1
- 4Charl Bouwer2 Gold (2008, 2012), 2 Silver (2012)🥇 2🥈 2
- 4Craig Groenewald4 Bronze (1996, 2000)🥉 4
- 4Ebert Kleynhans3 Gold (1996, 2000), 1 Silver (1996)🥇 3🥈 1
- 3Kevin Paul2 Gold (2008, 2016), 1 Silver (2012)🥇 2🥈 1
- 2Shireen Sapiro1 Gold (2008), 1 Bronze (2012)🥇 1🥉 1
- 2Jean-Jacques Terblanche1 Gold (1996), 1 Bronze (1996)🥇 1🥉 1
- 2Hannes Venter1 Silver (2000), 1 Bronze (2000)🥈 1🥉 1
- 1Achmat Hassiem1 Bronze (2012)🥉 1
- 1Hendri Herbst1 Bronze (2012)🥉 1
- 1Elizabeth Prinsloo1 Bronze (1996)🥉 1
Paralympic Representation
A Legacy Written In Water
From Natalie du Toit’s fifteen medals — one of the greatest hauls in Paralympic history — to a deep roster of finalists, South African para swimming has long punched above its weight on the world stage.
15
Medals (Natalie du Toit)
14
Medal-winning swimmers
1996
First Paralympic medals
Our Sponsors
Our Proud Sponsors
Our partners power South African para swimming. From grassroots to Paralympic podiums.
