The Special Olympics Swimming program
is designed for athletes ages 8 and up who are
mentally disabled and able to independently swim
at least 25 meters without interruption.
The Special Olympics swim team is a competitive
program and not designed to teach swim lessons
to non-swimmers. Swim lessons are available through
the Mesa Parks and Recreation Department for individuals
interested in learning to swim.
Athletes in the Special Olympics program train
to improve the quality of their strokes and increase
their endurance. Depending on their skill levels,
athletes may also learn new competitive strokes,
such as the breaststroke and butterfly.
Special Olympics swimming usually begins in July
and continues through October. Competitions include
the East Valley Area Swim Meet usually held in
September and the Arizona Special Olympics State
Swim Meet held in October. There is no cost associated
with this program.
