2020 State Swim Meets

This event has been cancelled for precautionary measures due to COVID-19.  For more information click here

Bates College, Lewiston
Tuesday, April 28th (21 & Under)
Wednesday, April 29th (22 & Over)

*NEW THIS YEAR!*

It is with great excitement that Special Olympics Maine will be offering the states first ever 4x25m Unified Relay event!  This relay will give athletes the opportunity to compete on a 4 person team alongside their Unified Partners. Teams will consist of 2 Athletes and 2 Unified Partners. Below you will find information regarding this new Unified event along with all other events offered at the State Swim Meet.
We are very excited to bring our athletes this opportunity to compete in a Unified Swim Relay! Please see a complete list of State Swim Events offered below:

Athletes may enter in 2 events in ONE Ability
and
4×25 Traditional Relay OR the 4×25 Unified Relay
(if registered in Events in Ability Level 4)

Ability Levels & Event Options:

The events in Levels #1-#3 are intended to provide meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels.  As stated on the entry form, there will be no “cross-over” within the entry options, as there is a natural progression in the ability to compete in these events, starting with Level #1 through to Level #4.  We hope you will train and challenge your athletes to the best of their ability.

Ability Level 1

  • 15m + 25m Assisted
    • Athletes entered in this in this event may not enter any other eventC
    • Assistant (coach) may touch, guide, or direct athlete but may not assist forward movement (can used flotation device)

Ability Level 2

  • 15m + 25m flotation
    • Athletes may enter one or both of these events*
    • Athletes entered in this in this event may not enter any other event*
    • Does not allow physical assistance by others once race has begun, athlete is responsible for own flotation)

ABILITY LEVEL 2 RULES CLARIFICATION:

EQUIPMENT RULE:
For flotation events, each athlete is responsible for his/her own flotation device. The device must be of the body wraparound type such that if the athlete were to not be able to hold onto the device, the device would still support the athlete with his/her face out of the water. (Flotation devices such as inner tubes or floats that wrap around the arms are not acceptable for use at any time).

Ability Level 3

  • 15m unassisted Swim
    • Athletes entered in this in this event may not enter any other event*
    • Athlete must swim entire distance with no assistance and without flotation device

Ability Level 4

  • 25m, 50m & 100m Freestyle
  • 25m, 50m & 100m Backstroke
  • 25m, 50m & 100m Breaststroke
  • 25m, 50m & 100m Butterfly
    • There will be limitations for diving starts and use of starting blocks, dependent upon the depth of the pool at the start line.
    • Standing on the bottom during freestyle events WILL NOT disqualify an athlete, but he/she may not walk or jump.  Standing on the bottom of the racing course is allowed only for the purpose of resting.  Walking and/or jumping will result in disqualification.
    • A coach may guide by voice only.  A coach may not touch the athlete from the time the race starts until the athlete has completed the race.
    • A coach may help an athlete maintain their position at the starting line.
    • No competitor will be permitted to use or wear any device that will aid in speed (webbed gloves, fins, flippers, etc).  Goggles may be worn.

Athletes may enter a maximum of 2 Level 4 individual events listed above, in addition to the 4x25m TRADITIONAL Relay OR the 4x25m UNIFIED Relay

 *Please note: Athletes CANNOT enter into both relays – they must pick one when registering*

Again This Year

To help with the growth of the sport of aquatics, Special Olympics will be adding a second day to the State Aquatics Meet! The first day will consist of athletes of the age of 21 years old and under. The following day will consist of athletes of the age of 22 and older. We are hoping to have the event flow smoother with two days rather than packing everyone in to one day of competitions. Below is the information for both days.

21 and Under State Aquatics Competition – Tuesday, April 28th 

22 and Over State Aquatics Competition – Wednesday, April 29th

Deadline for BOTH Competitions is Friday, April 3rd!

BOTH Competitions will be held at Bates College in Lewiston

All entries must be submitted with Entry Qualifying Times! To get Entry Qualifying Scores athletes must attend a Regional Swim meet. Click here for a listing of regional swim meets is enclosed.

Rules and Events – The SOMaine Swim Rules & Regulations have recently been updated. Please review and share.  Click here to review the SOMaine Swim Rules & Regulations.

Schedule of the day’s events will be as follows; SAME FOR BOTH SESSIONS:

  • 8:30am – Team Registration/Drops – Merrill Indoor Gymnasium (Field House)
  • 9:15am   Opening Ceremonies – Merrill Indoor Gymnasium (Field House)
  • 9:30am   Competitions Begin
  • 11:30am  Fundamental Events (event Levels 1-3)

Coach Education Policy: ALL registered coaches (Head of Delegation, Head Coaches & Assistant Coaches) must have a current certification for the following; Class A Volunteer Screening, Protective Behaviors Course and Concussion Awareness and Safety Recognition Course. You can find these documents/links on our website Click Here to get SO Volunteer Coach Information. If not already completed, they MUST be completed by April 6th!

Head of Delegation: This person is responsible for the entire delegation including; athletes, head coaches and assistant coaches. This person will send and receive pertinent information to and from Special Olympics Maine regarding; registration forms, athlete unified partner and coach requirements.

Head Coach Requirements: Every delegation must assign one certified head coach for every sport that they have athletes competing in. This person is responsible for the entire sports team including; athletes, unified partners and assistant coaches. Head coaches will be the liaison between their sports team and SOME.

Swim Coach’s Training School Opportunities: SOMaine will offer Level 1 Swim Coach’s Training Schools on March 21 at the Bangor YMCA from 9am-2:30pm.  To register click here.  Special Olympics Maine is also offering a Michael Phelps IM program (Special Olympics, Inc’s official Swim program) coach certification course at our upcoming Summer Coach’s College (July 31-August 1). Level 1 Swim Coach Certification is a prerequisite to attend the Michael Phelps IM program.

Medicals & Consent Forms: ALL Athletes must have current medical & consent forms on file at Special Olympics Maine’s State Office.  It is your responsibility to insure that these (2) (current/completed) forms are on file here at our office, for every athlete you plan to bring to the games.  If we already have a medical on file for an athlete and it is less than three years old, you don’t need a new one, unless there has been a significant physical/medical change in one of your athletes.  You may email Mike at MikeL@somaine.org to check on medicals in your file.  We recommend that you make two copies of each medical/release form – keep one file of all medicals in a safe place and have a file with all your athletes’ medicals that travels with you to events.  Blank Medical and Consent Forms can be downloaded by going to our website: www.somaine.org/sports/athlete-resources/.

Directions for Completing the
2020 Swim Registration Forms
(Deadline for ALL forms is April 6th, 2020)

Registration:  All State Swim Registration forms are Google Forms (much like the Winter Games).  This will allow you to complete each registration form electronically with just a click of a button!  Once you have submitted a registration form you will receive an email confirmation.  We understand that this is a new process and at any time if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact our office.  Each Delegation must submit a Swim HOD

General Notes:

  • Don’t miss the deadline (April 6th, 2020).

If you have questions about Special Olympics Swim and/or the enclosed information please don’t hesitate to call us at 879-0489.

Hope to see you there!