Community action is needed now!

In the budget recommendations released by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria for Fiscal Year 2025 there is a recommendation to call for the reduction in recreational swim team and water polo programs in the non-summer months at all pools except for one that is contractually obligated to do so (page 483). We are unsure if this is a one-time cut for FY 2025 or will be ongoing. Support is needed now to let elected officials and other decision-makers know your concern for these reductions, which will hurt our entire community. Read more about these budget recommendations here.

Get Involved Today:

1. Please sign this petition to save the year-round swim programs at San Diego City Pools. We should be investing in these programs not taking them away. Our goal is to get at least 1,000 online signatures by May 13, 2024.
2. Share this flyer with friends, neighbors, coaches, and others who may be interested in signing the petition and sharing with their networks. Send it to them via email and/or text.
3. After you have signed the petition, contact your City of San Diego council member, community representative, and/or the Community & Neighborhood Services Committee. Here is a list of your representatives at City Hall. Write an email with your perspective and tell them why you feel that reducing swim team and water polo teams isn’t a good idea. We’ve created a template email for you to review and personalize so you can share your own perspective.
4. Share this page on social media to your friends, family, and others in your network. Facebook, LinkedIn, Next Door, TikTok, Snapchat, and X/Twitter are all great places to reach your neighbors and others who are just as passionate as you are! Many social networks have neighborhood groups, please post there. Use hashtags #saveyouthswimSD and #saveyouthwaterpoloSD so we can help amplify your message!
5. Do you have an idea not listed here? We’d love to hear about it! Contact us today.
   

Need more reasons to participate and take action? Continue reading!

Reducing Access to Swimming and Water Polo Teams is Not Aligned with the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Tactical Equity Plan

As stated in the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Tactical Equity Plan, the department says they strive to provide healthy, sustainable, and enriching environments to all while connecting everyone to the City’s diverse world-class park system. The swim program at the City should work to connect all San Diegans with their local park by understanding and offering desired community recreation activities, programs, and events, by providing a comprehensive and well-rounded swim program to residents of all ages, genders, and abilities.

The City’s swim program activities had to rebuild after being unavailable during the COVID-19 pandemic when pools were closed, followed by a shortage of trained and certified pool guards, pool managers, and coaches and broken pool infrastructure that took months to fix.

Currently, the pools provide summer swim lessons and classes for youth and adults at various skill levels, year-round youth swim teams and water polo programs, and year-round recreational swim sessions for the community at large. Local high schools use City pools for their swim team and water polo programs. Additionally, local middle schools coordinate swim lessons during PE classes at the City pools as well.

The City of San Diego’s swim programs will always be in high demand. Every summer since the pandemic, swim lessons have been sold out with waitlists for every class; the swim teams are also completive, with some locations requiring two coaches and having two teams to accommodate the demand. Participating in youth swim and water polo teams is a natural progression for young swimmers who age out of lessons, have built water competency and a foundation for competitive skills, and are enthusiastic to try a new sport.

Restricting these programs to just 10-12 weeks a year will have significant drawbacks for our community. By limiting access to swim lessons and training, especially during non-summer months when water activities might be less top-of-mind for families, there could be an increased risk of water-related accidents and drownings. The children learning to swim today and participating in budget-friendly swim and water polo teams could be the City’s next generation of instructors, lifeguards, swim instructors, first responders, or Parks and Recreation officials. 

What’s At Stake When There Is A Reduction in Swim and Water Polo Teams for Kids

1. Year-round training fosters skill development: Continuity in training is crucial for athletes to maintain and improve their skills. Limiting training to only summer months could hinder progress and competitiveness in these sports. It can also diminish prospective employment opportunities for City of San Diego lifeguards, first responders, pool guards, and recreation officials.
2. Physical fitness and health benefits: Swimming and water polo are excellent forms of cardiovascular exercise that promote overall fitness and health. By reducing access to these programs, the community would miss out on opportunities for physical activity and wellness throughout the year.
3. Youth engagement and community involvement: Swim teams and water polo programs often serve as important avenues for youth engagement and community involvement. Restricting these programs outside of summer could deprive young people of positive recreational opportunities and social interactions.
4. Safety and drowning prevention: Offering swim programs year-round helps to promote water safety and drowning prevention. By limiting access to swim lessons and training, especially during non-summer months when water activities might be less top-of-mind for families, there could be an increased risk of water-related accidents and drownings.
5. Competitive advantage and talent development: Consistent training throughout the year is essential for developing competitive athletes. Restricting access to training facilities and programs could put local athletes at a disadvantage compared to those from areas where year-round training is available.
6. Economic impact and tourism: Hosting swim meets and water polo tournaments throughout the year can have positive economic impacts on the community through increased tourism and spending at local businesses. Limiting these programs could result in lost revenue opportunities for the city.
7. Diverse usage of community pools: Community pools should aim to serve a diverse range of interests and needs throughout the year. By reducing swim team and water polo programs, the city may be neglecting the interests of a significant portion of its population who enjoy these sports. Families with more resources and opportunities may turn to clubs or private facilities that cost significantly more and that may be further from their neighborhood and community, creating a greater disparity in the quality of athletic swim programs and creating a larger inequity among all residents.

In a City with 26 miles of shoreline, 15 pools citywide, and where residents can swim year-round, the City of San Diego should invest in its swim program not cut staff and resources, and continue to let pools fall into disrepair.

The Community’s Voice is Needed Now! What You Can Do Today.

It’s not too late to advocate for our kids. If we can increase the number of messages and outreach to those responsible for the budget, they will see that our voices matter. If you have any questions, please Contact Us today.