Chip off the old block: Swim teacher shows little Jagger that Down syndrome is no barrier

Little Jagger Lemmon is loving the water thanks to his new buddy and swimming coach Chip Hanson. The pair, who both have Down syndrome, have an incredible bond.

Camden mum Ashleigh Lemmon says Monday afternoons are her favourite time of the week.

She gets to watch her three-year-old boy, who has Down syndrome, learn to swim with his idol Taylor “Chip” Hanson.

“The way Jagger looks at Chip and the way Chip looks at Jagger is just so special, it’s a knowing, they are just drawn to each other.”

Ashleigh reached out to Wollondilly Leisure Centre after seeing Chip in The Sunday Telegraph, raising awareness about the exclusion of athletes with Down syndrome in the Paralympics.

“My next goal is to make the Olympics one day,” he told his mum Tracey after completing his swimming instructor qualification.

For Hanson — affectionately known by his students and his swim coach at Wollondilly Leisure Centre as Chip — exclusion of athletes with Down syndrome just doesn’t make sense.

Chip Hanson showing three-year-old Jagger how to conquer the water during a swimming lesson at Wollondilly Leisure Centre. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Currently, athletes with Down syndrome can technically qualify under intellectual disability categories, but that doesn’t account for the unique physical, functional and neurological biomarkers of the condition.

“I saw that article and I thought ‘wow I hope one day someone gives that opportunity to Jagger’,” Ms Lemmon said.

“So I reached out and asked if Chip would be interested in teaching him to swim. Obviously what drew me in was Chip has Down syndrome as well.”

Chip jumped at the chance — and it’s sometimes hard to tell who is having more fun.

“Honestly, I cannot believe how comfortable Jagger is,” Ms Lemmon said.

“Three o’clock Mondays are just my favourite time of the week. I can’t stop smiling and sometimes I’m crying.

“They just look into each other’s eyes. The bond is just incredible.”

Chip and Jagger bonding over splashes at Wollondilly Leisure Centre. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Ms Lemmon found out her baby had Down syndrome ten weeks into her pregnancy and said she had “plenty of time to prepare”.

“I was on my own but I knew I could do it and having Jagger was the best thing that happened to me in my life,” she said.

“Watching him thrive like this is just so wonderful and the inclusion we feel at the swimming centre it’s so heartwarming.

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