How do para events work at SSA galas, and how do I qualify for SA Nationals?

Q: How do para events work at SSA galas, and how do I qualify for SA Nationals?

Under the SSA 2025-2026 competition rules, World Para Swimming rules apply whenever para events are held at national competitions. Competition How para events run Level 3 Regional Age group based: any para swimmer may enter. Multi-class events in two age groups, 14&U and 15 and over. No qualifying times, but you need times on the SSA database SA National Aquatic Championships Enter events where you have an SA Nationals qualifying time, plus other events with database times. Classes 1-15 swim together (multi-class) and results are calculated against the world record for each class (points system) SA Short Course Championships Heats and finals in S1-S15 multi-class events for men and women. Open to swimmers with at least one short or long course qualifying time; Elite Para and Senior Para squad members may enter SA Nationals qualifying times are published by event and class. In the 2026 table, each qualifying time is 1.35 times the class world record listed beside it (for example women's 50 m freestyle S10: world record 27.37, QT 36.95). Para swimmers may take part at Level 3 or SA Nationals, depending on which they qualify for.

Question

Accepted Answer

Under the SSA 2025-2026 competition rules, World Para Swimming rules apply whenever para events are held at national competitions.

Competition	How para events run
Level 3 Regional	Age group based: any para swimmer may enter. Multi-class events in two age groups, 14&U and 15 and over. No qualifying times, but you need times on the SSA database
SA National Aquatic Championships	Enter events where you have an SA Nationals qualifying time, plus other events with database times. Classes 1-15 swim together (multi-class) and results are calculated against the world record for each class (points system)
SA Short Course Championships	Heats and finals in S1-S15 multi-class events for men and women. Open to swimmers with at least one short or long course qualifying time; Elite Para and Senior Para squad members may enter

SA Nationals qualifying times are published by event and class. In the 2026 table, each qualifying time is 1.35 times the class world record listed beside it (for example women's 50 m freestyle S10: world record 27.37, QT 36.95).

Para swimmers may take part at Level 3 or SA Nationals, depending on which they qualify for.