SO Swim Team Registration

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SWIMMING

Athletes, ages 8 and up to compete in swimming may sign up for our Special Olympics Swim Team. *This is a competitive team, and not just swim lessons. Athletes should be able to swim the length of the pool, 25 meters.

Zoom meeting: Thursday, October 5th at 7:00PM. The link for the meeting is in the email that was sent. Even if you are only interested in more information, I encourage you to attend.

The roster will be limited to 16 athletes on a first come, first served basis. Swimming athletes returning from the 2022-23 season will be guaranteed their spot for the new season. If we reach 16 athletes, a waiting list will be created also on a first come, first served basis.

Practice: generally twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, based on venue availability, 6:15-8:15 (the first and last 15 minutes are locker room times) at Dist 101 Morris High School. At the coaches' discretion, they may end practice before 8:00. The first practice is November 2nd. All athletes will need to either purchase or borrow from Special Connections a kick board and swim fins if they don't already have them. The cost depends on the size of swim fins, but should not exceed $50. Borrowing from SC for the season is free as long as the equipment is returned in good condition.

Competitions: Regional is March 23rd in Palos Hills; State competition for those who qualify will be at Summer Games on June 7th-9th, 2024 at ISU. Athletes must commit to the entire season, especially if entered into a relay. Athletes who advance in doubles or team for Bocce are not eligible to join a swimming relay, but can still enter singles events. TRANSPORTATION TO PRACTICES IS THE ATHLETE'S RESPONSIBILITY. The SC buses will be utilized for competitions.

**The Swim season is long, 7 months, and overlaps other sport seasons. If you are participating in or will participate in other sports/activities during the swim season, then you must have a conversation before the first practice with Tina, Program Coordinator and Lynda, Swimming Head Coach to come up with a practice-time compromise that is fair to all sports/teammates involved.

Registration will close on October 13th, and paperwork/fees are due by October 23rd. The cost for the entire season is $125.00. Most of the fee goes to Morris HS for the use of their facility. The rest is to help offset the cost of paying a lifeguard. Please contact me if you need to apply for a payment plan or scholarship.

Medicals: must be valid through June 9th, 2024. If you are not sure when your Medical expires, I can check that for you. If you need a new Medical, it must be turned in to me by February 6th or by the date your current Medical expires (whichever comes first), or you will not be able to compete. New athletes who have never had a Medical done must get it completed ASAP.

Volunteer Assistant Coaches are needed at practices and competitions. Knowledge of swimming is not required. Even another set of eyes is helpful to keep our 4:1 athlete to coach ratio.

Register by responding to the e-mail, calling Tina at 815-230-1877, or signing up at specialconnections.org. If you register on the website, then you will be prompted to pay the entire fee at that time. Otherwise, contact me to get your name on the list and we'll set up a form of payment.