Wellesley S.T.A.R.S., Inc. offers comprehensive swim training and a competitive swim program for children and adults with special needs from Wellesley, Massachusetts and surrounding towns, from January to June each year. For over 25 years, some STARS swimmers have competed in Special Olympics regional, state wide, national and international meets while others attend for exercise and social purposes.
Swim practice is held weekly on Sunday afternoons from January to June. The team is led by Head Coach, Karen Bernardo, a teacher and experienced Special Olympics swim coach with more than 25 years of experience, and several assistant coaches, many with 15-25 years of experience in coaching individuals with special needs and trained high school volunteers from the Wellesley area.
Our athletes develop confidence as a result of building new swim skills. Their enhanced self esteem often benefits their family, school or work experiences. Informal networking by the parents helps families to maintain up to date knowledge of other recreational and educational opportunities for their athletes with special needs.
While children need to be eight years old prior to competing in Special Olympics meets, they can begin swim training at early as age 6.
Contact Karen Bernardo, Head Coach at wellesleystars@gmail.com for further information or to arrange for a visit to a Wellesley S.T.A.R.S. swim practice.