Which impairments do the class numbers cover?
Rule- South Africa
- Swimming South Africa
- Para swimming
- World Para Swimming rules
- Classification
- All ages
- 2025/26
- Swimmers
World Para Swimming (IPC) sport classes:
| Classes | Impairment |
|---|---|
| S1-S10, SB1-SB9, SM1-SM10 | Physical impairment (ten sport classes) |
| S/SB11 | Vision: very low visual acuity and/or no light perception |
| S/SB12 | Vision: higher acuity than S/SB11 and/or a visual field of less than 5 degrees radius |
| S/SB13 | Vision: the least severe vision impairment eligible for Paralympic sport |
| S/SB14 | Intellectual impairment, such as difficulties with pattern recognition, sequencing and memory, or slower reaction time |
For vision classes, 11 is the most severe and 13 the least. S/SB11 swimmers must wear blackened goggles and use a tapper; S/SB12 and 13 swimmers may choose whether to use a tapper.
SSA programmes and qualifying times also include a class 15 (events run S1-S15); class 15 is not one of the World Para Swimming sport classes above.
Updated 22 Oct 2026