Briefly, the IHA was set up as an international association to promote and develop happiness in water, water independence and swimming through the use of the Halliwick Concept. 

The IHA has members across the world. The objects of the association are to:

• maintain the ideology of the Halliwick Concept as created by James McMillan and to develop the Halliwick Concept in accordance (where appropriate) with scientific advances;
• promote the availability and accessibility of the Association for each member worldwide;
• provide training and instruction and to maintain quality standards in such training and instruction in order to raise professional levels of same;
• promote the continuance and improvement of Halliwick courses;
• organise meetings and educational programmes which advance the objects of the Association on a regular basis;
• facilitate the co-operation of members internationally and the co-operation of members with other national or international organisations to further and improve the exchange of ideas concerning the Halliwick Concept;
• stimulate research into the theoretical background and therapeutic and functional effects of the Halliwick Concept.

The IHA is governed by its constitution, which you can download by clicking on the button below.