About
Adaptive Sports Northwest Youth Adaptive Swimming (Portland Piranhas) focuses on adaptive swimming for athletes who are capable of independently completing the length of the pool (25 yards). The team offers training so athletes can compete at adaptive swim meets and school or club meets with peers. Individual swim lessons are not available through Adaptive Sports Northwest at this time, but are offered through most local Parks & Recreation programs as an Adaptive & Inclusive service.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Monday evenings from 6:00–8:00 pm in summer (June 29 through September 28)
ASNW’s Piranhas swim team is for athletes who can follow sequential commands and who are members of Adaptive Sports Northwest to participate in sports programming. The Portland Piranhas serves as a transition from basic swimming lessons to a competitive or recreational team environment, and the goal for athletes is to be able to compete on a school or club team. Adaptive Sports Northwest welcomes swimming athletes of all Paralympic classifications, teaching those just learning to train for competitive swimming alongside future Paralympians. Both swimming and track and field athletes enrolled in high school may join their school’s team and qualify for Oregon state meets.
Adaptive Sports Northwest has provided life-changing opportunities to children and adults with physical disabilities since 1982. The coaching staff for this program includes Emma Hopson. The organization’s leadership team includes Executive Director Jen Armbruster, Operations & Development Manager Tracy Meyer, Programs Coordinator Mat Weber, Communications Coordinator JD Duran, Program Specialist Bruce Cheatham, and a board with officers and members including Kalin Boodman, Bulbul Khera, Shannon Parker, Judi Hall, Carly Schmidt, Diane Penny, Emily Quinn, Dave Godwin, Courtney Knapp, Jennifer Pidkowicz, Pat Latham, and Jessie Lorenz. The mission of Adaptive Sports Northwest is to provide fitness, recreation, and competitive sport to anyone with physical and visual disabilities, and it welcomes swimming athletes of all Paralympic classifications.
Adaptive Sports Northwest provides access and support to anyone with physical and visual disabilities so that they may nurture the mind, body, and spirit through sports and recreation. It offers a wide range of programs and events that educate, connect, and inspire children and adults to activate and realize their own personal possibilities and improve their lives, including clinics and practices for recreational participants, tournament play for more competitive players, and support of world-class Paralympians. Donations made through the Adaptive Swimming donation form go directly to supporting adaptive swimming activities and athletes. The season has concluded and there are currently no upcoming scheduled events for swimming.
One parent shared that their son has enjoyed growing as an athlete in swimming and track and field with Adaptive Sports Northwest. A Portland Piranhas swimmer reported that time on the paraswim team allowed improvement in strokes, times, and turns, and increased confidence in joining a high school girls’ swim team and competing at district and state levels. Another participant described Adaptive Sports Northwest as creating a fun, engaging family to compete with among others with various disabilities.
Last updated June 28, 2026.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Monday evenings from 6:00–8:00 pm in summer (June 29 through September 28)
ASNW’s Piranhas swim team is for athletes who can follow sequential commands and who are members of Adaptive Sports Northwest to participate in sports programming. The Portland Piranhas serves as a transition from basic swimming lessons to a competitive or recreational team environment, and the goal for athletes is to be able to compete on a school or club team. Adaptive Sports Northwest welcomes swimming athletes of all Paralympic classifications, teaching those just learning to train for competitive swimming alongside future Paralympians. Both swimming and track and field athletes enrolled in high school may join their school’s team and qualify for Oregon state meets.
Adaptive Sports Northwest has provided life-changing opportunities to children and adults with physical disabilities since 1982. The coaching staff for this program includes Emma Hopson. The organization’s leadership team includes Executive Director Jen Armbruster, Operations & Development Manager Tracy Meyer, Programs Coordinator Mat Weber, Communications Coordinator JD Duran, Program Specialist Bruce Cheatham, and a board with officers and members including Kalin Boodman, Bulbul Khera, Shannon Parker, Judi Hall, Carly Schmidt, Diane Penny, Emily Quinn, Dave Godwin, Courtney Knapp, Jennifer Pidkowicz, Pat Latham, and Jessie Lorenz. The mission of Adaptive Sports Northwest is to provide fitness, recreation, and competitive sport to anyone with physical and visual disabilities, and it welcomes swimming athletes of all Paralympic classifications.
Adaptive Sports Northwest provides access and support to anyone with physical and visual disabilities so that they may nurture the mind, body, and spirit through sports and recreation. It offers a wide range of programs and events that educate, connect, and inspire children and adults to activate and realize their own personal possibilities and improve their lives, including clinics and practices for recreational participants, tournament play for more competitive players, and support of world-class Paralympians. Donations made through the Adaptive Swimming donation form go directly to supporting adaptive swimming activities and athletes. The season has concluded and there are currently no upcoming scheduled events for swimming.
One parent shared that their son has enjoyed growing as an athlete in swimming and track and field with Adaptive Sports Northwest. A Portland Piranhas swimmer reported that time on the paraswim team allowed improvement in strokes, times, and turns, and increased confidence in joining a high school girls’ swim team and competing at district and state levels. Another participant described Adaptive Sports Northwest as creating a fun, engaging family to compete with among others with various disabilities.
Last updated June 28, 2026.
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