Youth Swim Participation Drops 23% as Fees Rise

Families of six- to 12-year-old swimmers, especially lower-income households, are seeing fewer kids stay in programs.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Swimming

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a young swimmer in mid-stroke in a blue lane, white spray rising from the water, painted in loose brushwork. — Youth swim participation among six- to 12-year-olds fell 23% from 2019 to 2025, with a steeper 39% drop among teenagers, as club fees rose. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Youth swim participation among six- to 12-year-olds fell 23% from 2019 to 2025, according to an Aspen Sports Institute report, with a steeper 39% drop among 13- to 17-year-olds. The decline has coincided with USA Swimming's membership falling from roughly 411,000 in 2019 to 379,000 in 2024, affecting families and clubs across the United States.

Why it matters

The drop matters for families weighing the cost of youth swimming, since the report links the decline to a club fee increase and says it has been concentrated among families earning less than $25,000 a year. Swimming also carries a practical safety dimension, because fewer children in lessons and club programs can mean fewer young people building water skills.

An Aspen Sports Institute report tracked youth sports participation across six years, finding that only five sports grew among six- to 12-year-olds, while swimming declined. The figures are population-level participation counts, and the report describes a correlation with the club fee increase rather than a confirmed cause.

The players

USA Swimming

The national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States, responsible for club membership, athlete development programs, and dues policy.

Aspen Sports Institute

A research organization that tracks youth sports participation trends and published the report documenting the swimming decline.

Kevin Ring

The incoming chief executive of USA Swimming, who assumed the role in September 2025.

The details

USA Swimming proposed a 250% increase in club dues in July 2024, a change that was negotiated down before taking effect. It was the first update to club dues since 1990, and it arrived as the organization's membership was already shrinking. The organization also trimmed about $500,000 from its 2025 sport development program by cutting credit fees, the annual summit budget, and technology expenses while keeping direct club support. Some clubs have chosen to affiliate with the Amateur Athletic Union in recent years, a shift that points to families and coaches looking for alternative structures.

2019: USA Swimming records roughly 411,000 members.
2019–2025: Six- to 12-year-old swim participation falls 23%.
July 2024: USA Swimming proposes a 250% club dues increase, later negotiated down.
2024: USA Swimming's official membership figure is 379,000.
September 2025: Kevin Ring becomes USA Swimming CEO.

Health Landscape

Swimming's youth decline runs against the growth of a small set of sports tracked by the Aspen Sports Institute between 2019 and 2025. Because swimming is widely taught as a water-safety skill, a shrinking base of young participants has consequences that extend beyond athletics.

If you have a child who swims or is considering lessons, the report suggests cost may be a meaningful barrier, so it is worth asking local clubs about fee structures and scholarship options. Water-safety skills are a practical reason to keep children in lessons, and it is worth discussing with your pediatrician how swimming fits into your family's activity and safety plans.

The takeaway

The sharp decline in youth swimming is tied in this report to rising costs, especially for lower-income families, which makes access a health question as well as a sports one. Families who want their children to keep swimming can ask clubs about fee assistance and talk with a pediatrician about water-safety skills.