Swim-a-Thonâ is a fundraiser in which participants earn money for their team by swimming lengths of the pool. Swimmers have a two-hour period to swim a maximum of 200 lengths. Participants get pledges from businesses, family, neighbors, etc. prior to swimming. Some choose to get pledges and money prior to swimming while others get pledges per length and collect the money following the Swim-a-Thonâ. With over 500 Swim-a-Thonsâ conducted each year, this program has proven itself over and over again as a successful method of raising funds for teams.
The exciting benefits of this program are that Swim-a-Thonâ is not only an excellent fundraiser, but also an opportunity for teams to combine swimming and a social event. Additionally, Swim-a-Thonâ can boost team spirit and increase community awareness of the team.
Since USA Swimming owns the Swim-a-Thonâ trademark, organizations must sign a contract agreeing to certain conditions regarding use of the term Swim-a-Thonâ, how a Swim-a-Thonâ is run, the collecting of donations, etc. Once a club completes the contract, USA Swimming supplies a detailed 30-page handbook that contains forms, promotional materials and all that is necessary for conducting a well-organized fund-raising event.
Swim-a-Thonâ is the only pledge for length swimming program recognized by USA Swimming and USA Swimming insurance. Swim-a-Thon® is a registered trademark owned by USA Swimming. Holding a Swim-a-Thon® without a contract would be a violation of this trademark. Any other type of swim for laps, lap-a-thon, etc. is also considered by the courts to be a violation of the registered Swim-a-Thon® trademark.
Questions? Contact the USA Swimming office.