Building Momentum Across the States
Advocacy continues to be an important part of USSSA’s work to support swim school businesses, strengthen the learn-to-swim industry, and expand access to quality swim lessons. From regulatory discussions in California to water safety initiatives in Florida and New York, USSSA is working alongside members and partners to ensure the voice of the swim school industry is represented.
California: Advocating for Swim Lesson Facilities
USSSA members, together with the California Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health (CCCSH), recently met with one of California’s Energy Commissioners to discuss proposed regulations that could require existing pools to use solar pool heating systems as the primary energy source when replacing pool heating equipment.
The Commissioner was receptive to the concerns raised and interested in learning more about the unique operating needs of swim lesson facilities, including how and why these facilities maintain warmer water temperatures and currently heat their pools.
This conversation is an important step in helping policymakers better understand how regulations can affect swim schools and the families they serve. USSSA and CCCSH will continue to engage as the regulatory process moves forward.
Work is also continuing in California on efforts to establish a swim lesson directory and explore a voucher program that could help more families access swim lessons.
Florida: Building on Water Safety Legislation
USSSA has an upcoming call with Florida State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, a water safety advocate who helped advance legislation updating Florida’s swim lesson voucher program.
The conversation will explore opportunities to work together to promote the new parent water safety education provisions included in the legislation. USSSA will also share feedback regarding challenges swim schools have experienced with the implementation of the state’s voucher program.
Our goal is not only to support legislation that expands access to swim lessons, but also to help ensure programs are structured in ways that allow qualified providers and families to successfully participate.
New York: Proposal to Expand Access to Swim Lessons
USSSA has submitted a proposed pilot program that would utilize budgeted NY SWIMS funding to help approximately 880 swimmers receive three months of swim lessons in New York City.
The proposal is currently awaiting review. As we continue this work, USSSA will also be working with members and partners to identify New York advocacy priorities for 2027 and determine where our collective efforts can have the greatest impact.
Building USSSA’s Advocacy Strategy
Alongside our state-level efforts, we are also taking an important step toward building a more strategic and sustainable approach to advocacy nationally.
USSSA’s Advocacy Assessment is now complete, and both the Government Relations Committee and Board of Directors have conducted a preliminary review of the findings. The Assessment provides recommendations and opportunities that will next be prioritized and evaluated as we develop an Advocacy Strategic Plan and determine the resources and budget needed to support that work.
The goal is to move from responding to individual issues as they arise toward a more intentional advocacy strategy, one that helps USSSA anticipate challenges, build stronger relationships, engage members, and effectively represent the learn-to-swim industry.
Learn More in Orlando
Want to better understand where USSSA’s advocacy efforts are headed and how you can advocate for your own business and our industry?
Be sure to join us at the USSSA National Conference in Orlando, where advocacy consultant Roger Rickard will present the 7 actions of highly effective advocates. Roger will also share highlights from USSSA’s Advocacy Assessment and provide practical insights members can use to become more effective advocates in their own communities.
Advocacy is strongest when our industry speaks with an informed and engaged voice. We look forward to continuing to build that voice together.
