Disability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The primary objective of Pacific's Disability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program is to increase multicultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity and to foster an inclusive environment at all levels of the sport of competitive swimming. The Disability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee develops and administers programs which are aimed at encouraging existing clubs and related organizations to expand opportunities to provide a competitive swimming experience to those individuals currently lacking such opportunities.
The DDEI Committee usually meets the last Thursday of each month via Zoom. If you are interested in participating on the committee call, or you have any questions, please email Kent Yoshiwara.
On this page:
Outreach Registration (Financial Assistance)
Pacific Swimming participates in the USA Swimming Outreach Program and offers registration at the USA Swimming rate of $5.00 with no additional fees to Pacific Swimming. Valid September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2026.
Click here to review Outreach Qualifications revised 11.13.25
If you meet the qualifications, please bring one of the qualifying documents to your team to apply for an Outreach membership. They will instruct you on the next steps.
Meet Entry Fee Assistance Program (MEFAP)
Pacific Swimming has introduced a new Meet Entry Fee Assistance Program (MEFAP) to help swimmers cover the costs of entering swim meets. The swimmer would pay for the splash fee associated with each meet and Pacific Swimming will cover the individual swims’ entry fees. To be eligible, swimmers must be an Outreach registered athlete (see above) OR have a family-proven hardship, verified by a coach. Swimmers may register for each meet through their coach or the regular meet entry process.
Click here to review Outreach Qualifications revised 11.13.25
If you have additional questions, please contact Annie Stein.
Diversity Grant Program
The purpose of the Diversity & Inclusion Grant is to increase multicultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity and to foster an inclusive environment at all levels of the sport of competitive swimming. Twice a year, Pacific Swimming clubs are encouraged to submit an application for a Pacific Swimming Diversity Grant. Available funding for each grant period is dependent on the approved annual budget. The next deadline for submission of grant applications is June 15th.
Clubs and organizations requesting support from Pacific Swimming submit a written Program Plan which includes the purpose, plan description, test metrics, schedule, budget, funding requested from Pacific Swimming, and manpower expectations. The Committee then evaluates the requests based on the following criteria:
- Fulfillment of the USA Swimming Outreach program mission, which is to provide opportunities in swimming to the underrepresented and economically disadvantaged youth in the United States)
- Fulfillment of the Pacific Swimming mission, which is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in swimming
- Benefit to the athletes
- Innovation
- Likelihood of success
- Other sources of funding
Note: Scholarships for swimmers with financial needs will not be considered this session as we are developing an Individual Scholarship program. All other grant requests will be considered.
The current Spring Grant application is now available and can be downloaded by clicking the link. The next deadline for submission of grant applications is June 15th. For more information on the entire Diversity Program, click here.
Questions? Contact Kent Yoshiwara
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Camp
The next Pacific Swimming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Camp will be held in Fall 2026. The camp will be for swimmers 11-16 years of age, and will include in-water stroke work, team building and leadership development activities, plus more.
The goal of this camp is to create a culture of inclusion and opportunity to spread the mentality that elite level swimming can happen in any pool, by anyone, from any background. This camp encourages participation by athlete from the underrepresented groups of USA Swimming, which include: African-American, Latinx, Asian, as well as socioeconomically underserved, athletes with a disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ+.
National Diversity Select Camp
USA Swimming invites up to 56 athletes from diverse populations to participate in a three-day camp program which includes pool training, motivational and education sessions and team-building activities. Selection is based on times achieved at USA Swimming sanctioned events.
Goals of the camp:
To empower athletes from diverse backgrounds and diverse populations to:
- Demonstrate the viability of multicultural success in swimming
- Achieve performance excellence at every level of the sport
- Expound the benefits and value of participating in the sport of swimming
- Be positive leaders and role models that others from multicultural backgrounds can emulate.
Location:
Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. Colorado Springs, CO
Camp Schedule:
The National Diversity Select Camp will consist of four in-water workouts and a number of classroom sessions covering various topics. The goal is to provide ignition, motivation, and information for athletes to continue to set goals, work hard, excel in swimming, and feel empowered to take ownership of their swimming careers and roles within their community.
Cost:
Each athlete selected for the camp will be provided lodging, meals, ground transportation to/from the designated airport and full airfare.
Qualification Standard
Questions?
For more information, click here or please contact Kristin Alfano
kalfano@usaswimming.org | 719-309-7198
Western Zone Diversity Select Camp
Purpose: Instill a vision of success and inspire athletes from under-represented populations to become leaders in the sport of swimming.
Goals: To empower athletes from ethnically underrepresented populations, those economically disadvantaged, and LGBTQAI2S+ and their coaches to:
- Demonstrate the viability of inclusiveness in swimming within their local LSC.
- Achieve performance excellence at every level of the sport.
- Expound the benefits and value of participating in the sport of swimming.
- Be positive leaders and role models that others from socioeconomic backgrounds can emulate.
- To connect, network, and promote the virtues of the sport of swimming through a comprehensive strategy involving the athletes, coaches, and LSC DEI Chairs in their own local LSC’s and throughout the Western Zone.
Additional Information: If an athlete has attended a previous in-person Western Zone Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Camp, USA Swimming Regional Diversity Select Camp or a USA Swimming National Diversity Select Camp, the athlete may not attend this Western Zone Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Select Camp. An athlete may attend only one in-person Western Zone Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Camp.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Verónica Hernández at vhernandez@pacswim.org.
USA Swimming Diversity and Inclusion Resources
For more information, please visit USA Swimming's Diversity and Inclusion & Disability pages. These style guides are USA Swimming resources for your clubs to recognize differences.
USA Swimming Diversity and Inclusion Resource Page
USA Swimming Athlete Competition Categories and Eligibility Policy 19.0
