Man o' War
Swim Team

Welcome to the Website for the
Man o' War Swim Team in Orlando, FL / Orange County

• The Man o' Wars (MOW) are affiliated with the Special Olympics Florida Organization, in the Area 6 - Central Region (see Florida Area map)
  
  

• Practices are held at the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center (RAFC) at 8422 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
  
  

• Practices are on Tuesday nights from 7:00 - 7:50 pm (full schedule below)

  • Parents/Guardians are requested to sit in the bleachers for the Varsity Group and in the viewing room (not on the deck) for the Junior Varsity group

  • It is important for the coaches to have the full attention of the swimmers,  so  please obey this request from coaches to stay out of site of your swimmer during practice.
    
    

• The 2026 season runs from June 2nd through ~September 30th
  
  

• Please populate and submit the following forms before attending practice:

  • Special Olympics Florida Registration Form

  • The MOW Swim Team Registration Form (print version or online version)

  • The MOW Swim Team Skill Assessment Form (print version or online version)

• For any questions, email info@mowswim.com

Practice Format

• The MOWs are a swim team, and not a learn to swim program

  • Swimmers must have a capable level of skill to join the MOWs

  • Coaches will assess swimmers skills and place them in the appropriate group

    • See official Swimmer Skill Assessment for details on the seven (7) skills the MOW coaches aim to teach (summarized below)
      
      

• Practice is split into two groups: 

  • (1) the Junior Varsity (JV) Group is  for beginner swimmers with a capable level of skill and water awareness, who practice in the teaching pool (~4 feet deep)

    • JV practices are ~500 to 1000 yards in length
      
      

    • To join the JV group, swimmers must demonstrate the following skills:

      • #1 - blowing bubbles

      • #2 - float on back for 5-seconds
        
        

    • To move from the JV Group to the Varsity group, swimmers must demonstrate the following skills:

      • #3 - side breathing

      • #4 - circle swimming

      • #5 - tread water for 30-seconds

      • #6 - kick 100-yards

      • #7 - swim 100-yards
        
        

  • (2) the Varsity Group is for advanced swimmers with the ability to train and desire to compete, who practice in the competition pool (~8 feet deep)

    • Varsity practices are ~2000+ yards in length

Equipment

• Swimmers should bring the following items to every practice:

  • for females, a one-piece swimsuit (not a bikini); for males, a jammer style swimsuit (not shorts)

  • a pair of swimming goggles (and not a facemask)

  • a swim cap (optional, but recommended for swimmers with long hair)

  • a swim shirt (optional, but recommended more tight than loose, like a rash guard)

2026 Schedule

• The 2026 season runs from June 2nd through ~September 30th

• Practices are on Tuesday nights from 7:00 - 7:50 pm (full schedule below)
  
  

• Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - Practice - Initial Skill Assessment

• Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, July 7, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, July 21, 2026 - Practice

• Saturday, July 25th, 2026 - Swimming Exhibition @ RAFC

  • Participation is required at the Swimming Exhibition in order to compete at Regionals

  • See below for details on the Swimming Exhibition

• Tuesday, July 28, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, August 4, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, August 18, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - Practice

• Saturday, August 29, 2026 - Regionals Competition @ RAFC

  • Participation is required at Regionals in order to compete at State Championships

• Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, September 22, 2026 - Practice - Final Skill Assessment

• The Weekend of Friday, Saturday, Sunday - September 25, 26, 27– 2026 State Championships Competition @ Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) facility

  • The address is 4635 SW 67th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474 (Google Maps Link)

  • You will be notified if your swimmer qualifies for the State Championships

  • www.specialolympicsflorida.org/events

What is the Swimming Exhibition?

• At the Swimming Exhibition, athletes will participate in time trials as opposed to formal competitions. The purpose of the time trials is to capture accurate times/scores for Regional Games.

• Additionally, the Swimming Exhibition provides our athletes with an atmosphere that simulates the competitive experience they will have at Regional Games.