This is an editorial from SwimAtlanta, a swim club that has been in the top three in the United States in size and enrollment for decades. SwimAtlanta and other swim clubs across the U.S. have registered many of their members with the AAU in 2023 – instead of with USA Swimming, or in addition to it. USA Swimming released its 2023 registration numbers in late March 2024 and reported that enrollment was down 18,000 members, a 4.61% decline.

By SwimAtlanta

Swimming is a sport that requires dedication, resilience and passion. To promote and grow this sport, swim clubs play a critical role by providing young athletes with the resources and support they need to succeed. This series will highlight how SwimAtlanta became AAU Swimming and aims to inspire other clubs to look for ways to help grow the sport of swimming. In this first installment, we’ll explore the reasons behind SwimAtlanta’s move to AAU Swimming, emphasizing operational efficiency, positive experiences and increased parent involvement.

Important decision factors and decisive moments

SwimAtlanta has been a proud and long-standing member of USA Swimming since 1977 and remains loyal to the organization with no plans to leave. Our goal is to grow the sport of swimming and we believe that adding AAU Swimming to our program will help us achieve that goal.

SwimAtlanta head coach Chris Davis and his coaching staff were responsible for the decision to move to the AAU. The pivotal moment was USA Swimming’s problematic implementation of the Swims 3.0 system. Despite its role as the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States, USA Swimming’s implementation of the new system caused considerable frustration. SwimAtlanta saw the AAU as an opportunity to better serve its community and grow the sport of swimming. The ease of registration, cost savings and flexible competition formats offered by the AAU aligned with SwimAtlanta’s goals of making swimming accessible to young athletes and fostering a supportive, engaged community. In addition, AAU Swimming’s streamlined process for hiring qualified part-time coaches, which includes a background check, further supported SwimAtlanta’s operational goals and improved the quality of their coaching staff.

Initial considerations: challenges and benefits

SwimAtlanta faced significant challenges with USA Swimming’s registration process. Relying on parents to promptly complete registrations to ensure swimmers were insured created uncertainty about whether all swimmers were adequately insured at all times. Switching to AAU provided a straightforward and reliable solution and ensured that all swimmers were consistently covered.

One of the biggest benefits for SwimAtlanta families is cost savings. AAU offers a flat, low registration fee, simplifying the process for families. In contrast, USA Swimming’s numerous registration options often confuse families who don’t know which membership is right for them. With AAU, SwimAtlanta can offer a single, low-cost registration, making swimming more accessible.

The simplified competition approval process under the AAU allowed SwimAtlanta to be more creative with competition formats. This flexibility made it easier for families to participate in swim team competitions, especially for young athletes who play multiple sports. The straightforward approach encouraged more young swimmers to join and stay in the sport.

Transitional reactions and immediate benefits

The transition to AAU Swimming was met with an overwhelmingly positive response from the SwimAtlanta community. Coaches expressed appreciation for the streamlined administrative processes that allowed them to devote more time and resources to training and developing swimmers. Swimmers and parents welcomed the reduction in membership fees, which made competitive swimming more accessible and financially viable. The simplified registration process also reduced administrative burdens and created a smoother experience for everyone involved.

Coaches’ perspective:

Coaches were particularly excited about the streamlined processes AAU Swimming has implemented. By reducing paperwork and bureaucratic red tape, coaches were able to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on training and developing their athletes. This change allowed them to implement more comprehensive training programs and give swimmers individual attention, creating a more productive and supportive training environment. A bonus with AAU coach registration is that the AAU registration fee includes the background check.

Perspective of swimmers and parents:

Swimmers and their families immediately noticed the benefits of the cost savings associated with AAU membership. Lower registration fees and reduced meet entry costs made competitive swimming more accessible to a wider range of athletes. Parents appreciated the simplified registration process, which eliminated many of the frustrations and time-consuming steps previously associated with competitive swimming. These improvements contributed to a more enjoyable and less stressful experience for swimmers and their families and increased overall satisfaction with the SwimAtlanta program.

Community education and support:

Efforts to educate the SwimAtlanta community about the benefits of AAU swimming played a critical role in gaining support for the transition. Information sessions, newsletters, and direct communication from coaches and administrative staff helped highlight the benefits and address any concerns. This proactive approach ensured that the entire community understood the reasons for the transition and believed in its positive impact.

Immediate benefits:

Switching to AAU swimming brought several immediate benefits:

• Cost savings: The reduction in membership fees and competition entry fees represented a significant financial relief for the swimmers and their families.
• Time savings: Simplified registration processes and fewer administrative tasks allowed coaches and staff to focus on more important aspects of swimmer development.
• Efficient Competition Hosting: AAU’s flexible policies and streamlined processes have made it easier for SwimAtlanta to host competitions, increasing opportunities for competition and community involvement.
• Increased focus on coaching: By minimizing administrative overhead, coaches can invest more time in developing training programs, improving swimmer performance and fostering a positive team culture.

These benefits not only enhanced SwimAtlanta’s day-to-day operations, but also contributed to the long-term growth and success of the program. By acquiring AAU Swimming, SwimAtlanta reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality coaching and competition opportunities, ultimately supporting the growth of the sport.

outlook

In this series, we will continue to look at the financial side of the short course season with AAU Swimming and the future of SwimAtlanta and AAU Swimming, always focusing on the goal of growing the sport. By sharing SwimAtlanta’s experiences, we hope to provide valuable insight and encourage other clubs to find innovative solutions to grow swimming in their communities.

Stay tuned for the next episode where we will delve deeper into the financial benefits and future of SwimAtlanta and AAU Swimming as we work together to continue to grow the sport of swimming and inspire the next generation of athletes.