Hello

My name is Chelsea Marchetti

I am a registered physiotherapist with experience supporting children in public and private healthcare settings across South Australia. Through my work in paediatric physiotherapy and one-to-one aquatic therapy, I recognised a need for aquatic programs that consider both a child’s individual therapeutic goals and the way they learn and participate in the water.

I founded Flipper Academy to provide an inclusive environment where children with disability and additional needs can participate in physiotherapy-led aquatic programs or tailored learn-to-swim instruction, depending on their individual needs. Each program is developed around the child’s abilities, goals and required level of support, with sessions progressing at a pace appropriate for them.

I believe every child should have the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence in the water in an environment that recognises their individual needs. My approach is family-centred and focused on helping children work towards meaningful movement, participation, swimming and water-safety goals. Recommendations are based on individual assessment and ongoing review, recognising that every child’s experience and progress will be different.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) University of South Australia
Autism swim accredited aquatics instructor
Level 1 Strength and Conditioning coach

Why Flipper Academy?

Flipper Academy provides physiotherapy-led aquatic programs and inclusive swimming instruction for children with varied physical, developmental and learning needs. Programs are tailored following consideration of the child’s abilities, goals, support requirements and suitability for the aquatic environment.

Skills Developed

Water safety and drowning prevention – how to safely enter and exit bodies of water, floating and breathing control

Swimming strokes - to help participate in school events such as swimming carnival

Gross motor skills – endurance, strength, balance and coordination

Fine motor skills – grip, hand and finger strength

Our group-based approach also helps children in our program, achieve other goals such as social skills and communication.

The Flipper Academy Difference

Physiotherapy-led aquatic program at Flipper Academy

Uses the aquatic environment to work towards individual therapeutic and functional goals. Swimming and water-safety skills may be incorporated when relevant to the child’s goals.

General
learn-to-swim program

Primarily focuses on water familiarisation, swimming technique, stroke development and water-safety education.

A registered physiotherapist assesses the child’s needs and develops an individual program based on their abilities, presentation and goals.

A qualified swimming instructor generally follows a structured learn-to-swim program based on the participant’s age, swimming ability and program level.

Water-based activities may be used to support goals involving movement, mobility, strength, balance, coordination or physical capacity. Activities are selected according to the child’s assessed needs.

Activities generally focus on swimming-related movements such as kicking, propulsion, floating, body position and stroke development.

Activities, instructions, equipment and the level of assistance can be adapted to the child’s physical, developmental, sensory, behavioural or communication needs.

Instructors may adapt activities within the scope and structure of their learn-to-swim program. The level of individual adaptation available will vary between providers and class formats.

Breathing and water-familiarisation activities may be incorporated where appropriate and adapted to the child’s abilities and goals. Medical or respiratory concerns may require input from the child’s broader healthcare team.

Participants may learn introductory water-familiarisation and breath-control skills, such as blowing bubbles, submerging and developing comfort in the water.

Buoyancy, water resistance and flotation equipment may be used where clinically appropriate to support movement practice and participation.

Flotation equipment may be used to teach floating, body position, confidence and foundational swimming skills.

Sessions are delivered by a registered physiotherapist or, where appropriate, an allied health assistant working from a program developed and supervised by a physiotherapist.

Sessions are generally delivered by a qualified learn-to-swim instructor.

The child’s goals and response to the program are reviewed, with activities adjusted where clinically appropriate. Progress and outcomes will vary between children.

Progress is generally reviewed against the skills and levels within the provider’s learn-to-swim curriculum. Progress will vary between participants.

May be appropriate for children with therapeutic or functional goals who would benefit from assessment, clinical oversight or additional individual support in the water.

May be appropriate for children whose primary goals relate to learning swimming techniques, water familiarisation and participating in a structured swimming program.

AHPRA Registered

Physiotherapy services at Flipper Academy are provided or supervised by physiotherapists holding current registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Practitioner registration can be checked through Ahpra’s Register of Practitioners.

For more information visit www.ahpra.gov.au

Autism Swim Accredited

Autism Swim are international wandering and drowning prevention specialists, who understand the complexities of different learning styles, goals and approaches, and the support mechanisms necessary to educate all swimmers on water safety, water therapy and learn-to-swim.

For more information visit www.autismswim.com.au

Autism SA Friendly

According to the 2018 Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, only around 4% of the more than 200,000 people in Australia on the spectrum believe that businesses, organisations and venues across the country understand autism, or know how to support individuals on the autism spectrum through the provision of autism-friendly places and services.

By signing up to the Autism Friendly Charter, businesses can play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive community for all, ensuring that people on the autism spectrum are able to enjoy services and participate in activities without the experience negatively impacting on wellbeing

For more information visit www.autismswim.com.au

Hello

Why Flipper Academy?

Skills Developed

Water safety and drowning prevention – how to safely enter and exit bodies of water, floating and breathing control

Swimming strokes - to help participate in school events such as swimming carnival

Gross motor skills – endurance, strength, balance and coordination

Fine motor skills – grip, hand and finger strength

Our group-based approach also helps children in our program, achieve other goals such as social skills and communication.

The Flipper Academy Difference

Physiotherapy-led aquatic program at Flipper Academy

Uses the aquatic environment to work towards individual therapeutic and functional goals. Swimming and water-safety skills may be incorporated when relevant to the child’s goals.

General
learn-to-swim program

Primarily focuses on water familiarisation, swimming technique, stroke development and water-safety education.

A registered physiotherapist assesses the child’s needs and develops an individual program based on their abilities, presentation and goals.

A qualified swimming instructor generally follows a structured learn-to-swim program based on the participant’s age, swimming ability and program level.

Water-based activities may be used to support goals involving movement, mobility, strength, balance, coordination or physical capacity. Activities are selected according to the child’s assessed needs.

Activities generally focus on swimming-related movements such as kicking, propulsion, floating, body position and stroke development.

Activities, instructions, equipment and the level of assistance can be adapted to the child’s physical, developmental, sensory, behavioural or communication needs.

Instructors may adapt activities within the scope and structure of their learn-to-swim program. The level of individual adaptation available will vary between providers and class formats.

Breathing and water-familiarisation activities may be incorporated where appropriate and adapted to the child’s abilities and goals. Medical or respiratory concerns may require input from the child’s broader healthcare team.

Participants may learn introductory water-familiarisation and breath-control skills, such as blowing bubbles, submerging and developing comfort in the water.

Buoyancy, water resistance and flotation equipment may be used where clinically appropriate to support movement practice and participation.

Flotation equipment may be used to teach floating, body position, confidence and foundational swimming skills.

Sessions are delivered by a registered physiotherapist or, where appropriate, an allied health assistant working from a program developed and supervised by a physiotherapist.

Sessions are generally delivered by a qualified learn-to-swim instructor.

The child’s goals and response to the program are reviewed, with activities adjusted where clinically appropriate. Progress and outcomes will vary between children.

Progress is generally reviewed against the skills and levels within the provider’s learn-to-swim curriculum. Progress will vary between participants.

May be appropriate for children with therapeutic or functional goals who would benefit from assessment, clinical oversight or additional individual support in the water.

May be appropriate for children whose primary goals relate to learning swimming techniques, water familiarisation and participating in a structured swimming program.

AHPRA Registered

Physiotherapy services at Flipper Academy are provided or supervised by physiotherapists holding current registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Practitioner registration can be checked through Ahpra’s Register of Practitioners.

For more information visit www.ahpra.gov.au

Autism Swim Accredited

Autism SA Friendly

Contact Us

Find Us

Follow us

Hello

Why Flipper Academy?

Skills Developed

Water safety and drowning prevention – how to safely enter and exit bodies of water, floating and breathing control​​

​Swimming strokes - to help participate in school events such as swimming carnival​

Gross motor skills – endurance, strength, balance and coordination

Fine motor skills – grip, hand and finger strength

Our group-based approach also helps children in our program, achieve other goals such as social skills and communication.

The Flipper Academy Difference

Physiotherapy-led aquatic program at Flipper Academy

Uses the aquatic environment to work towards individual therapeutic and functional goals. Swimming and water-safety skills may be incorporated when relevant to the child’s goals.

General learn-to-swim program

Primarily focuses on water familiarisation, swimming technique, stroke development and water-safety education.

A registered physiotherapist assesses the child’s needs and develops an individual program based on their abilities, presentation and goals.

A qualified swimming instructor generally follows a structured learn-to-swim program based on the participant’s age, swimming ability and program level.

Water-based activities may be used to support goals involving movement, mobility, strength, balance, coordination or physical capacity. Activities are selected according to the child’s assessed needs.

Activities generally focus on swimming-related movements such as kicking, propulsion, floating, body position and stroke development.

Activities, instructions, equipment and the level of assistance can be adapted to the child’s physical, developmental, sensory, behavioural or communication needs.

Instructors may adapt activities within the scope and structure of their learn-to-swim program. The level of individual adaptation available will vary between providers and class formats.

Breathing and water-familiarisation activities may be incorporated where appropriate and adapted to the child’s abilities and goals. Medical or respiratory concerns may require input from the child’s broader healthcare team.

Participants may learn introductory water-familiarisation and breath-control skills, such as blowing bubbles, submerging and developing comfort in the water.

Buoyancy, water resistance and flotation equipment may be used where clinically appropriate to support movement practice and participation.

Flotation equipment may be used to teach floating, body position, confidence and foundational swimming skills.

Sessions are delivered by a registered physiotherapist or, where appropriate, an allied health assistant working from a program developed and supervised by a physiotherapist.

Sessions are generally delivered by a qualified learn-to-swim instructor.

The child’s goals and response to the program are reviewed, with activities adjusted where clinically appropriate. Progress and outcomes will vary between children.

Progress is generally reviewed against the skills and levels within the provider’s learn-to-swim curriculum. Progress will vary between participants.

May be appropriate for children with therapeutic or functional goals who would benefit from assessment, clinical oversight or additional individual support in the water.

May be appropriate for children whose primary goals relate to learning swimming techniques, water familiarisation and participating in a structured swimming program.

AHPRA Registered

Physiotherapy services at Flipper Academy are provided or supervised by physiotherapists holding current registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Practitioner registration can be checked through Ahpra’s Register of Practitioners. For more information visit www.ahpra.gov.au

Autism Swim Accredited

Autism SA Friendly

Contact Us

Find Us

Follow us

Water safety and drowning prevention – how to safely enter and exit bodies of water, floating and breathing control

Swimming strokes - to help participate in school events such as swimming carnival

General
learn-to-swim program

Physiotherapy services at Flipper Academy are provided or supervised by physiotherapists holding current registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Practitioner registration can be checked through Ahpra’s Register of Practitioners.

For more information visit www.ahpra.gov.au