Aquatics

Special Olympics aquatics and swimming is popular world wide. The first-ever Special Olympics World Aquatics Invitational was held in 2012, and athletes with intellectual disabilities world wide are looking forward to their next regional games in 2013. Stay up to date with aquatics news, events and competition results on this page. You'll find links to coaching resources, too. It's all here.


00x200 Unified Sports Aquatics

Aquatics image caption

Swimming is one of the most popular sports in world. Unlike other sports, swimming is a life skill that is taught, first, to ensure safety and, secondly, for sports and competition purposes. Aquatics covers a great variety of swimming skills, from short sprints to longer events and relays. And the Aquatics coaching guide, see below, gives coaches advice and approaches to successfully coach swimmers of all abilities, from strong, fast competitors to swimmers who find it hard to swim at all.


News and Stories


octubre 23, 2012 | Latin America: Peru

La hazaña de Naty

By Nora Rueda

Nataly

Es el reportaje de mi hija Nataly Rodriguez Rueda, que se gano su medalla de plata representando a PeruView Story Es el reportaje de mi hija Nataly Rodriguez Rueda, que se gano su medalla de plata representando a Peru

About Nora Rueda :Quiero compartir un video de mi hija Nataly Rodriguez, que gano sumedala de plata apesar que tuvo un problema de su pie, y estuvo en sillas de ruedas
Share
View less ▲

septiembre 21, 2012 | Latin America: Puerto Rico

Healthy Athletes - FUNFitness Event during the World Aquatics at San Juan, Puerto Rico

By Neysha Miranda

FUNFitness volunteers

The last Saturday, September 15, 2012 during the World Aquatics at San Juan Puerto Rico, the ClinicaView Story Last Saturday, September 15, 2012 during the World Aquatics at San Juan Puerto Rico, the Clinical Director, Dr. Neysha Miranda with a team of 107 professionals (physiotherapists, assistant of physiotherapists, and students of physical therapy) screened more than 2oo athletes in the FUNfitness clinic at the 1rst World Aquatics in San Juan Puerto Rico. FUNfitness is part of Healthy Athletes, and it aims to screen flexibility, functional strength, balance and aerobic condition;educate athletes, families and coaches about how to improve function and performance, and provide a hands-on opportunity for athletes to learn about physical therapy and its role in fitness. All athletes receive educational resources at each screening, including an “Athlete Scorecard” tailored to improve flexibility, strength, balance and aerobic fitness for each individual screened.

About Neysha Miranda:I'm the Clinical Director of FUNfitness SO Puerto Rico, and Latin America Regional Clinical Advisor.
Share
View less ▲

septiembre 20, 2012 | North America: Virginia

Menudo momento

By Will Schermerhorn

Rose espera a que su compañera de relevos toque la pared.

I was poolside in Puerto Rico, taking photos while watching swimmers striving, racing, succeeding, getting excited and showing disappointment. It was a mix of emotions for the swimmers, but no so muchView Story Estaba en una piscina en Puerto Rico, echando fotos mientras veía a nadadores luchando, compitiendo, triunfando, emocionándose y mostrando decepción. Era una mezcla de emociones para los nadadores, pero no para mí—todo eso era el resultado del momento, ángulo y contexto. Pero cuando vi a la atleta de las Olimpiadas Especiales de Virginia, Rose Pleskow, de pie en el taco de salida, esperando a que su compañera de relevos tocara la pared, me empezaron a escocer los ojos y sentí que el corazón me daba un vuelco. Su compañera de relevos era su madre, Susan. Solo en las Olimpiadas Especiales pueden competir madre e hija en el mismo equipo en un evento deportivo acuático internacional, pensé. Y allí estaban, nadando con determinación y agallas, sacando fuerzas de sus brazos, piernas y pulmones, y lo estaban haciendo como compañeras de equipo. Hay algo fundamentalmente impresionante en todo esto. Y es Deportes Unificados, una iniciativa de las Olimpiadas Especiales que junta a personas con y sin ninguna discapacidad intelectual. Poca gente tiene la empatía que una madre tiene por su hijo, así que supongo que Rose y Susan eran un equipo natural. Aún así, ¡menudo momento!

About Will Schermerhorn:Soy fotógrafo y director creativo en las Olimpiadas Especiales. Mi hijo, Mason, es atleta en las Olimpiadas Especiales.
Share
View less ▲

Share Your Story

Do you have a story or news to share? Use the easy online form to write it up and send it to us.


Upcoming Aquatics Events


Date

Event

Location

may 23 - 25 2013

Arkansas Summer Games

Join us May 23-25 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2000 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, bocce, golf, powerlifting, flag football and softball.
For more information
More Details
View More

Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas
UNITED STATES

may 23 - 26 2013

Texas Summer Games

Join us May 23 - 26 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3400 athletes will compete in athletics, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, tennis and equestrian.
For more information
More Details
View More

University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas
UNITED STATES

may 24 - 26 2013

Iowa Summer Games

Join us MAY 24-26 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3000 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, bocce, cycling, roller skating, soccer and tennis.
For more information
More Details
View More

Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
UNITED STATES

may 30 - feb 6 2013

Missouri Summer Games

Join us May 30 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2000 athletes will compete in athletics (Track & Field), aquatics, basketball, bowling, powerlifting and volleyball.
For more information
More Details
View More


Columbia, Missouri
UNITED STATES

may 30 - ene 6 2013

Michigan Summer Games

Join us May 30 - June 1 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3500 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, bowling, gymnastics, horseshoes, powerlifting, volleyball and motor activities training program.
For more information
More Details
View More

Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
UNITED STATES

may 30 - ene 6 2013

New Hampshire Summer Games

Join us May 30 - June 1 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 900 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, equestrian, powerlifting and tennis.
For more information
More Details
View More

University of New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire
UNITED STATES

may 31 - feb 6 2013

New Mexico Summer Games

Join us May 31 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1200 athletes will compete in athletics, bocce, soccer and unified volleyball.
For more information
More Details
View More

University of New Mexico Track & Field Stadium
Albuquerque, New Mexico
UNITED STATES

may 31 - abr 6 2013

8th Special Olympics Singapore National Games

Special Olympics Singapore is hosting 640 athletes from Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines at the 8th Special Olympics Singapore National Games. Athletes will compete in six sports; athletics, badminton, bocce, bowling, football, swimming. Held once every four years,the Games is a competitive multi-sports event for individuals for intellectual disabilities. The Games are open to athletes 8 years and above, competing in divisions according to their abilities. The Games aims to unite the local community through the transformative power of sports and invites everyone to come celebrate the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
For more information
View More

Multi venuesSingapore
SINGAPORE

may 31 - feb 6 2013

North Carolina Summer Games

Join us May 31 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1200 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, gymnastics, powerlifting, softball and volleyball.
For more information
More Details
View More


Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina
UNITED STATES

may 31 - feb 6 2013

Kentucky Summer Games

Join us May 31-June 2 during our Summer Games event. Over 1000 athletes will compete in track and field, swimming, bocce, flag football and rhythmic gymnastics.
For more information
More Details
View More

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
UNITED STATES

may 31 - feb 6 2013

Washington Summer Games

Join us May 31-June 2 at Joint Base Lewis during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2500 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, basketball, tennis and powerlifting.
For more information
More Details
View More

Joint Base Lewis
McChord, Washington
UNITED STATES

may 31 - ene 6 2013

North Dakota Summer Games

Join us May 31 - June 1 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 650 athletes will compete in Unified volleyball, aquatics, gymnastics, powerlifting, bocce, and track & field.
For more information
More Details
View More

Davies High School
Fargo, North Dakota
UNITED STATES

may 31 - feb 6 2013

Kansas Summer Games

Join us May 31 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2000 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, tennis and powerlifting.
For more information
More Details
View More

Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas
UNITED STATES

feb 6 - mar 6 2013

Colorado Summer Games

Join us June 2-3 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1100 athletes will compete in track and field, soccer, swimming, gymnastics and powerlifting.
For more information
More Details
View More


Grand Junction, Colorado
UNITED STATES

jun 6 - ago 6 2013

Wisconsin Summer Games

Join us June 6-8 at University of Wisconsin during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1800 athletes will compete in aquatics (swimming), athletics (track & field), soccer and powerlifting.
For more information
More Details
View More

University of Wisconsin
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
UNITED STATES

jul 6 - sep 6 2013

Indiana Summer Games

Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2600 athletes will compete in aquatics, bocce, bowling, cycling, horseshoes, powerlifting, track & field and volleyball.
For more information
More Details
View More

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana
UNITED STATES

jul 6 - sep 6 2013

Alaska Summer Games

Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 300 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, basketball, gymnastics, and powerlifting.
For more information
More Details
View More


Anchorage, Alaska
UNITED STATES

jul 6 - ago 6 2013

Delaware Summer Games

Join us June 7-8 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 800 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, bocce, powerlifting, softball, tennis, MATP and Young Athletes.
For more information
More Details
View More


Newark, Delaware
UNITED STATES

jul 6 - sep 6 2013

Maryland Summer Games

Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1500 athletes will compete in cheerleading, aquatics, softball, bocce, and athletics.
For more information
More Details
View More


Towson, Maryland
UNITED STATES

jul 6 - ago 6 2013

Virginia Summer Games

Summer Games, our largest competition, is nothing short of legendary thanks to overwhelming support from thousands of local volunteers who brave the summer heat to assist Special Olympics Virginia athletes each June. Athletes come from all corners of the state to compete in swimming, powerlifting, softball, track & field, bowling and tennis. This event also features our annual Healthy Athletes expo, as well as fan filled stands, thanks to our Volunteer to Cheer program! Summer Games, one of Special Olympic Virginia’s seven state-level competitions, has been at UR since 1983; prior to that, the event was held in Lynchburg.
For more information
More Details
View More

University of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
UNITED STATES

jul 6 - sep 6 2013

Massachusetts Summer Games

Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1300 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, powerlifting, roller skating, tennis and volleyball.
For more information
More Details
View More

Harvard Athletic Complex
Boston, Massachusetts
UNITED STATES

jul 6 - sep 6 2013

Vermont Summer Games

Join us June 7-9 at University of Vermont during our Summer Games event. Approximately 600 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics (track and field), bocce and softball.
For more information
More Details
View More

University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
UNITED STATES

jul 6 - sep 6 2013

Connecticut Summer Games

Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2400 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, cycling and gymnastics.
For more information
More Details
View More

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, Connecticut
UNITED STATES

ago 6 - sep 6 2013

Southern California Summer Games

More than 1,100 Special Olympics Southern California athletes will show their courage and determination during Summer Games on June 8-9 at Cal State Long Beach. Become a volunteer, or come cheer these superstars on as they hit game-winning baskets, make birdie putts, and swim for the gold. This event is free, and it is open to the general public. The Games will feature our six spring/summer sports (aquatics, basketball, bocce, golf, gymnastics, and track and field). Along with the competitions, you will have fun playing games, listening to live music, and participating in many activities.
For more information
More Details
Kelly Kloepping
Email:kkloepping@sosc.org
Phone:(562) 522-8554
View More

California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.

Long Beach, California
UNITED STATES

jun 14 - 16 2013

Illinois Summer Games

Join us June 14-16 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3800 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting and soccer.
For more information
More Details
View More

Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
UNITED STATES

jun 14 - 16 2013

New York Summer Games

Join us June June 14-16 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1000 athletes will compete in athletics (track & field), aquatics, basketball, bowling, powerlifting, gymnastics, tennis and volleyball.
For more information
More Details
View More

University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
UNITED STATES

junio 16, 2013

Swiming Competition

Join us at Ex Polvorin in San Salvador, El Salvador on 16 June from 8am-1pm for an exciting day of aquatics competition. Special Olympics athletes will show their skill while competing in various swimming events.
For more information
Olimpiadas Especiales El Salvador
View More

Ex PolvorinSan Salvador
EL SALVADOR

jun 28 - ene 30 2013

Ohio Summer Games

Join us June June 28 - 30 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2600 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics (track and field), bocce, bowling, cycling, gymnastics, power lifting, roller skating, soccer, tennis, and volleyball.
For more information
More Details
View More

The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
UNITED STATES

jun 28 - 30 2013

Swimming & Open Water Coaches Seminar

Join us and support our Special Olympics Program 28-30 June for the Swimming & Open Water Coaches Seminar in Utrecht, Netherlands. Please contact Kester Edwards (contact info below) for event details.
For more information
Kester Edwards
Email:kedwards@specialolympics.org
Phone:(202) 824-0366
View More

ZeistUtrecht
NETHERLANDS

jun 28 - 30 2013

Northern California Summer Games

Join us June 28-30 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 900 athletes will compete in aquatics, bocce, tennis and track & field.
For more information
More Details
View More


Davis, California
UNITED STATES

jun 28 - 29 2013

Idaho Summer Games

Join us June 28-29 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 900 athletes will compete in aquatics, basketball, cycling, powerlifting and track & field.
For more information
More Details
View More

Boise
Boise, Idaho
UNITED STATES

ago 28 - ene 9 2013

Great Britain Summer Games

The 9th National Summer Games will be held in the city of Bath from 28 August to 01 September. Over 1,700 athletes will be competing in athletics, badminton, bocce, bowls (short mat carpet bowls), football, golf, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis, ten pin bowling, tennis and swimming.
For more information
More Details
View More

University of Bath
Bath, Claverton Down
UNITED KINGDOM

octubre 25, 2013

Swimming Championship

Join us at Serge Alfred Swimming Pool in Beau Basin, Mauritius on 25 October for a day of exciting swimming competition. Special Olympics athletes will show their skill and courage while competing in various swimming events. Please contact Mr. Satya Chytun (contact info below) for event details.
For more information
Mr. Satya Chytun
Email:somaurituisdirector1@gmail.com
View More

Serge Alfred Swimming PoolBeau Basin
MAURITIUS

noviembre 27, 2013

Swimming Competition

Join us in Witbank, South Africa on 27 November for a day of exciting swimming competition. Special Olympics athletes will show their skill and courage while competing in various swimming events. Please contact Mr. Wanga Manyala (contact info below) for event details.
For more information
Mr. Wanga Manyala
Email:wanga@specialolympics.org.za
View More


Witbank, Mpumalanga
SOUTH AFRICA

nov 30 - jul 12 2013

Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games

The inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games will take place in Newcastle, New South Wales in 2013. The event will see Australia welcome more than 1,700 Special Olympics athletes, 600 coaches, 4,000 volunteers, and approximately 200,000 spectators from 25 nations across the Asia Pacific region. Newcastle will offer world class facilities and venues across the range of nine sports to be conducted during the Games – Athletics, Bocce, Bowling, Basketball, Football, Badminton, Table Tennis, Cricket and Aquatics as well as venues for the Opening Ceremony and Games social hub.
For more information
More Details
Alex McNeilly
Email:alexm@specialolympics.com.au
View More

Hunter Stadium
294 Turton Rd, New Lambton NSW 2305

Newcastle, New South Wales
AUSTRALIA

jun 13 - 21 2014

2014 USA National Games

The USA National Games be centered in and around Princeton and the Greater Mercer County area. Venues will include Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, and Mercer County Park. The New Jersey Devils have offered The Prudential Center as the venue for the Opening Ceremonies. The National Games will feature nearly 3,500 athletes competing in 14 Olympic-style sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and an estimated 50,000 family, friends and spectators. Non-competitive special events will include the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run™ that will symbolize the start of the competition and Healthy Athletes, a place where the athletes can get vital health screenings. Youth and education events will also be held in conjunction with the Games as young leaders rally around making change for the better of the Special Olympics movement and promoting acceptance of those with intellectual disabilities.
For more information
More Details
Greg Epperson
Email:gepperson@specialolympics.org
Phone:919-785-0700
View More

Several Locations - New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
UNITED STATES

Do you have an event to add?

Tell us about it so we can publish the details to our sport calendar.

Register Your Event

Aquatics/Swimming Competitions

World Aquatics Invitational 2012

The first Special Olympics World Aquatics Invitational took place in September in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This was the most important sports event in the Special Olympics competition calendar during the second half of 2012.


2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games

Athens, Greece, was the home of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. That year, it was the world’s largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities. See results by athlete, delegation and bib number.


How to Get Involved in Special Olympics

Special Olympics sports training, coaching and competitions go on in more than 170 countries around the world. You can get involved by getting in touch with the closest Special Olympics office.

Special Olympics near you»

Made Possible by The Annenberg Foundation

The Special Olympics movement is profoundly grateful for the support of the Annenberg Foundation which has underwritten the production of the coaches’ guides and resources, supporting our global goals for coaches’ excellence.

LEARN MORE»

Follow us

Ayúdenos a encontrar un atleta más

Donar »

Buscar eventos locales y obtener información sobre oportunidades para voluntarios en una de nuestras 220 oficinas en todo el mundo.

BUSCAR UNA LOCALIDAD PRÓXIMA »

*

Special Olympics - Become a Fan