GRACE LONG - FLORIDA

BIO

Grace Long is a native Floridian.  She was introduced to swimming at about 10 months of age out of necessity for her safety.  Luckily she was a natural swimmer and with many lessons over the years and hanging out at the beach and pool with her sister and brother, she was confidently swimming on her own by the time she was 5 years old. She participated in a swim club for a few years and then started swimming with Special Olympics in 9th grade. 

Through the Down Syndrome Organization of Miami, Grace joined the synchronized swimming team of Coach Jorge Van Balen working with Coach Isis Sanchez.  They started with just a handful of girls and then moved the team to Miramar as part of the Miramar Mermaids Athletes with Disabilities (AWD) team.

The AWD Mermaid team grew to include over 10 athletes.  They were very active in competitions across the state of Florida and even were able to compete in the Junior Olympics in Colorado and represent the United States as part of the USA Down Syndrome Swimming Organization (USADSS) at the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization (DSISO) in Portugal in 2022. 

In addition to the athletic conditioning and fitness offered by regular swimming, Grace formed close friendships with her teammates that she treasures.  In 2022 her family moved to Jupiter, Florida and she was fortunate to find a new AWD team offered by the Stuart, Florida based Gardens Synchro team and lead by Coach Dana Bradley. 

Grace has competed in competitions in Clearwater and Miramar as part of her new team, which has grown to four athletes. This year they are planning on meets in Ocala, Clearwater and Houston.  Grace is thankful for her many friends and coaches that have made swimming such an important part of her life.