The Halliwick Concept in Aquanat’s Swim Philosophy

At Aquanat, we believe in more than just swimming strokes and lap times. Our approach incorporates elements of the Halliwick Concept—an aquatic methodology that helps learners of all abilities build confidence, balance, and independence in the water.

In our swimming lessons and classes we combine aquatic education, therapeutic insights, child development principles, and the Halliwick Concept. By weaving these together, our lessons nurture balance, coordination, confidence, and independence in the water.

What Is the Halliwick Concept?

The International Halliwick Association describes the method as an approach focused especially on people with physical or learning challenges, enabling them to engage in water activity, move independently in water, and learn to swim.

Unlike lessons that rely heavily on flotation aids, the Halliwick approach encourages learners to develop their own balance and control by working with buoyancy, resistance, water rotations, and breath control.

The Ten-Point Structure & How We Apply It at Aquanat

The Halliwick Concept utilises a Ten-Point Programme—a structured progression of skills that build over time. Some of the key stages include:

• Mental Adjustment – feeling safe and relaxed in water, learning breath control

• Disengagement – gradually reducing support and developing independence

• Rotation Control – mastering body control through rolling, turning, floating

• Upthrust & Balance – using buoyancy to find static stability

• Turbulent Gliding & Basic Swimming – moving through water, managing turbulence, progressing toward swimming movements

At Aquanat, we incorporate relevant Halliwick principles into our swim lessons—especially in early stages—so the transitions from support to independent movement are gentle, adaptive, and fun.

Benefits for Our Swimmers

Integrating Halliwick elements into swim teaching helps us deliver richer outcomes. Some of the benefits we see include:

• Enhanced balance and core stability

• Better motor control and coordination

• Reduced fear or anxiety about water, building confidence

• More inclusion and participation for swimmers of diverse abilities

• Therapeutic gains: improved posture, mobility, and confidence in daily movement

These benefits make our lessons more inclusive and supportive, especially for beginners, people with movement challenges, or anyone building confidence in water.

Who Benefits Most from This Approach?

Our hybrid Aquanat + Halliwick approach is beneficial for:

• Anyone! From infant to older adults.

• Children and adults with physical or learning differences

• Beginners who need gradual, confidence-building methods

• Those with fear of water or low aquatic confidence

• Older adults who wish to improve balance and safety in water

• Therapists, carers, or families who want a better understanding of aquatic empowerment

Going Deeper into Halliwick: Training with our training organisation - The Australian Institute of Aquatic Bodywork

While Aquanat uses Halliwick-based ideas in our lessons, for professionals or those wanting to teach or deliver therapy under the full Halliwick framework, AIAB (Australian Institute of Aquatic Bodywork) offers certified Halliwick Foundation Courses.

These courses combine theory and pool practice. Participants learn the Ten-Point Programme, mental adjustment techniques, and how to adapt Halliwick principles in both educational and therapeutic settings.

By training with AIAB, swim instructors, therapists, carers, and aquatic professionals gain the depth and confidence to apply Halliwick in full—with safety, adaptability, and genuine empowerment.

Bringing It Together

At Aquanat, our philosophy is grounded in inclusion, confidence, and movement. By weaving in the Halliwick Concept, we create swim programs that do more than teach strokes: they build water confidence, support freedom of movement, and invite anyone—regardless of ability—to feel at ease in the pool.