What is USS (USA Swimming)?

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for competitive swimming in the United States.  USA Swimming Headquarters office was established in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1981 and is located at the Olympic Training Center. By joining USA Swimming, your child has become a member of one of the country's largest, most organized, and competently coached youth sports.

What is USA Swimming's Mission Statement

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming. We administer competitive swimming in accordance with the Amateur Sports Act. We provide programs and services for our members, supporters, affiliates and the interested public. We value these members of the swimming community, and the staff and volunteers who serve them. We are committed to excellence and the improvement of our sport.

How is USA Swimming Organized?

Local - Within the United States, there are fifty-nine (59) Local Swimming Committees (LSCs).  Each LSC is responsible for administering USA Swimming activities in a defined geographical area and has its own set of bylaws under which it operates.  A House of Delegates with representation of athletes, coaches, members of the Board of Directors and clubs is responsible for managing the business affairs of the LSC.

Zone - We are divided into four separate zones – central, eastern, southern and western.  Each zone elects two representatives to the national Board of Directors.

National - USA Swimming is a Group A member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and has voting representation in the USOC House of Delegates.

International - The international federation for the aquatic sports is the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA).  USA Swimming is affiliated with FINA through United States Aquatic Sports (USAS), made up of the four aquatic sports – swimming, synchronized swimming, diving and water polo.

What is a novice swimmer? Why is my child called an "Age Grouper"?

Swimmers who are new to the sport are generally called novice or development swimmers. They may also be referred to as "Age Groupers." In USA Swimming swimmers have traditionally been grouped by age. "Age Grouper" is a common term to refer to those swimming in age classified competition verses senior level competition.

*All of the above information is from the USA Swimming web page, www.usaswimming.org.

How do we participate in USS?

Families of swimmers are expected to participate/compete at least 4-5 times during the winter season and 3 times during the summer season by attending weekend meets (this is why swimmers become members of the USS organization). Each meet sectioned by USS offers individual races and relays for swimmers of all ages. However, some meets require certain time standards be met in order to participate, and some meets have an age prerequisite.

What are some other benefits of joining U.S.A. Swimming?

Other benefits of joining USS include: local, regional, and national competition. Swimmers are also able to meet and build friendships with competitors from other teams, and meet coaches from schools and colleges, which opens doors for future opportunities.

USS Swimming also stays abreast of the latest developments in fitness, sports medicine and the science behind swimming. These advancements are shared with coaches, officials and swimmers in the US.