This will be a weekend of celebration of Swim P.E.I.'s accomplishments, both in and out of the pool.
First up will be Canada Games trials and provincial championships at the CARI complex, home of the Charlottetown Bluephins.
The competition will start this evening and run until Sunday afternoon.
Swimmers will race in preliminaries heats with the hope to move onto top-eight finals, which mirror the competition format for the Canada Summer Games on P.E.I. in August.
Swimmers from the Summerside Dolphins and Montague Seahawks will also be competing.
Swimmers attempting to qualify for the Games will swim in a separate category so they can swim in head-to-head competition to take their place on the team.
The Games trials will take place in the finals sessions throughout Saturday and Sunday morning.
Swimming is one of the few sports at the Games where there is a full integration of swimmers who are able-bodied, physically challenged or Special Olympic athletes.
Two Special Olympic swimmers will named to the Games team based on their performances this weekend.
"We are very excited about our partnership with Swim P.E.I. and Team P.E.I. 2009 (Canada Games)," said Special Olympics P.E.I. executive-director Charity Sheehan. "Canada Games swimming gives our athletes an opportunity to showcase their abilities. That is what sport is about."
After the competition, Swim P.E.I. will host its year-end banquet Sunday at MacMillan Hall on the UPEI campus, beginning at 3 p.m.
"The provincial awards ceremony is our favourite Swim P.E.I. day, as we have the opportunity to celebrate our membership's accomplishments in athleticism, coaching, officiating, administrating, volunteerism and media support," said Swim P.E.I. president Sandi Lowther.
A large number of awards will be given out, including the Alex B. Campbell award for high performance and the Barney Bree award for overall development and leadership.
Other awards will be presented for performances in each age category.
