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 (MOWs) 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 (full schedule below, weather permitting):

  • The Varsity group practices from 6:45 PM – 7:55 PM in the main Competition Pool

  • The Junior Varsity group practices from 7:00 PM – 7:50 PM in the Teaching Pool (located behind the Competition Pool)
    
    

  • 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
    
    

  • Regarding weather, the RAFC (not the Special Olympic coaches) decides when to close and open the pool due to weather and lighting concerns

  • Please call the RAFC office at (407) 996-3444 to learn if the pool is open or closed
    
    

• The 2026 season runs from June 2nd through September 27th

  • This file is a Special Olympics Florida 2026 Swimming Overview
    
    

• Swimmers must register with the Florida Special Olympics office in order to swim for the MOWs

• In order to register with the Special Olympics Florida Office, swimmers must complete two steps:

  • (1) Complete this Special Olympics Florida Web Registration Form

  • (2) Complete this Special Olympics Florida PDF Registration Form and either (a) attach it to the Web form from step 1 or (b) email it to Lou Seaman at the Special Olympics Florida office (louisseaman@sofl.org)

• Information on other Central Florida Special Olympic Swim Teams (not affiliated with the Man o' Wars) is located on this webpage
  
  

• For donations to Special Olympics Florida, please navigate to https://support.specialolympics.org
  
  

• 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 (skill assessment described below in more detail)

  • Swimmers must be willing to be coached with hands-on instructions

  • Swimmers must understand English

• • 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)

    • If swimmers do not have a capable level of skill, they will not be allowed to join the MOWs

    • If swimmers mis-behave or break the coaches rules, they will be placed in time out

    • Private lessons are available for swimmers who do you qualify for the MOWs or who need extra practice 

      • Please email info@mowswim.com for questions about private lessons
        
        

• 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 with their entire head submerged under water

      • #2 - float on their back for five (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
*Subject to change, weather permitting

• The 2026 season runs from June 2nd through September 27th

• Practices are on Tuesday nights (full schedule below):

  • The Varsity group practices from 6:45 PM – 7:55 PM in the main Competition Pool

  • The Junior Varsity group practices from 7:00 PM – 7:50 PM in the Teaching Pool (located behind the Competition Pool)

  • Bold dates are swimming meet competitions

• 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 - Skill Assessment Checkpoint

• Saturday, July 18, 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 21, 2026 PRACTICE IS CANCELLED THIS TUESDAY - 7/21 - DUE TO A SWIM MEET AT THE RAFC

• Tuesday, July 28, 2026 PRACTICE IS CANCELLED THIS TUESDAY - 7/28 - DUE TO A SWIM MEET AT THE RAFC

• Tuesday, August 4, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, August 18, 2026 - Practice

• Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - Practice - Skill Assessment Checkpoint

• 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

• Friday & Saturday, September 25 & 26– 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.