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.
Resources
Use this link to discover a list curated to help you use inclusive language. These style guides are resources for ensuring the written word of your clubs reflects language that is welcoming and inclusive and that recognizes and embraces differences.
DDEI Style Guide Information & List
USA Swimming Athlete Inclusion, Competitive Equity, and Eligibility Policy 19.0
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Camp
The 2023 Pacific Swimming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Camp will be held on October 21, 2023. The camp works with swimmers 11-16 years of age, and includes 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+.
This camp will include:
- Guest Speakers
- 2 Swim Sessions
- Team Building Activities
- Leadership Development
- Dryland Exercises
Athlete Qualifications: All athletes must be between the ages of 11 and 16 years old on the day of the camp, and a member of Pacific Swimming in good standing. There are no time standard qualifications for this camp. All athletes are expected to come prepared to fully participate in both swim and dryland activities. If there is an injury that will prevent your full participation in the event, we ask that you inform us of the injury in advance of the camp.
Please send any questions to Verónica Hernández, vhernandez@pacswim.org
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 Fall Grant application period has just opened. Deadline to apply is October 15, 2023.
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 Fall 2023 Grant application is now posted. Deadline to apply is October 15, 2023.
Questions? Contact Kent Yoshiwara
Western Zone Diversity Select Camp
Regional Diversity Select Camp
The Goal: The goal of these camps is to empower athletes to continue to set goals, work hard, excel in swimming, and feel inspired to take ownership of their swimming careers and roles within their community.
Who: Athletes who represent an underrepresented community and/or ethnically underrepresented population that is less than 10% of the current USA Swimming member base. These populations can include African American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American, and others.
When: June 1-4, 2023
Congratulations to the 21 Pacific Swimming athletes chosen for this camp!
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 OR have a family-proven hardship, verified by a coach. Swimmers may register for each meet through their coach/club.
For more information and the form, please click below:
If you have additional questions, please contact Annie Stein
Outreach Registration
Pacific Swimming participates in the USA Swimming Outreach Program and offers registration at the USA Swimming registration fee of $5.00 with no additional fees to Pacific Swimming. Valid September 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024.
Click here to review Outreach Qualifications
If you meet the qualifications, please contact your team to apply for an Outreach membership.
Fred Siegrist Scholarship
The Fred Siegrist Scholarship is designed to give economically disadvataged youth the opportunity to participate in Pacific all-star meets and camps for which they qualify which would normally require a co-pay from the athlete's family.
USA Swimming Diversity and Inclusion
For more information, please visit USA Swimming's Diversity and Inclusion & Disability pages
