The Western Wings Team has a large swim team and we are nicely supported by many volunteers.  Swimming is now scheduled in the springtime.  Practice runs from March to June with practices held at the Eden Prairie Community Center. We schedule 2 group practices on Saturday afternoons and athletes are grouped by ability.  Unless already a member of the Wings Swim Team, swimmers must be able to swim one length of the pool independently.  We have a waiting list of swimmers and current Wings athletes will be given preference over anyone new or outside of the Wings team.  Registration for swimming does not guarantee placement on the team as we must have an open spot to add new swimmers.

Our swimmers are guided by a large group of volunteers, including a number of high school students, who provide direction from the deck and in the pool.   These volunteers give many hours of their time to assist our swimmers and we appreciate them greatly!

SOMN offers competition in free style or the crawl which has no particular requirements of form for arms or legs.  Swimmers only have to propel themselves through the water without using the bottom of the pool or the lane lines/ropes.  Strokes that do require specific and accurate form include the breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly at varying distances.

A fun opportunity is available for swimmers committed to a team of 4.  Swimmers may be interested in freestyle relay races but this requires a solid interest in being part of a 4-person team, as dropping out means that we must find a replacement or the group or they all have to drop out.

Swimmers will compete in the Area 11 Meet in Edina and can select up to 3 events plus a relay race for competition.  The State Spring Games are held in June, usually at the University of St. Thomas.

Athletes provide their own bathing suit, goggles and towel.   We provide Wings swim caps and encourage their use as they help keep swimmers warm and keep hair out of the eyes and the pool.

Please see SOMN  http://specialolympicsminnesota.org/sports/aquatics/ for additional information.