THE DOLPHIN CLUB 

San Francisco’s Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club was established in 1877. It’s a venerable institution with a rich history, many stellar accomplishments and a commitment to teaching local underserved youth how to swim.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM 

The Dolphin Club refuses to allow their members to use swim aids such as swim fins and wetsuits during their open water swimming events in San Francisco Bay. This policy is both elitist, and a clear violation of the American’s with Disabilities Act.

A significant number of the Dolphin Club’s 2000 members are being unjustly discriminated against and deprived of their civil rights. This includes members with physical disabilities, age related disabilities, Raynaud’s disease and neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis.

San Francisco’s South End Rowing Club with whom they literally share a building does not do this. Their members are welcome to use swim aids on every club swim.

DOLPHINS WITHOUT FINS ARTICLE 

"Eliminating the rule about prohibiting wetsuits and swim aids would decrease the diversity of swimming options." [Emphasis Added] This pithy pronouncement appeared in the Dolphin Club’s Summer 2022 magazine as part of an insulting rant against swim aids.

It’s completely false, and a perfect example of Orwellian doublespeak. Allowing swim aids would in fact increase the diversity of swimming options available to people with disabilities by allowing them to freely participate in Dolphin Club swims from which they are currently excluded. 

The same article also says, “The shared experience includes swimmers who agree to wear a regular suit and no swim aids.” There is no such agreement. Members who disagree have been shouted down. Swim Commissioners don’t want to get involved. And a majority of the 15 board members remain unconcerned.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE SWIM 

The Dolphin Club allowed swim fins during their annual Golden Gate Bridge Swim on Saturday, 30 October 2021. This was a “test” to determine what impact swim aids might have on their swim program. A number of people used swim fins. They successfully completed the 1.2 mile swim. They had an amazing time. Nothing bad happened. No one died. BUT nevertheless the Dolphin Club’s board chose to continue violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by not allowing any swim aids on their swims.

THE SOLUTION 

Disabled swimmers at the Dolphin Club must be allowed to use swim aids immediately.

The Dolphin Club’s governance structure and decision‑making process are broken. The Americans with Disabilities Act became law 33 years ago. And yet somehow the Dolphin Club's swimming program has been able to completely ignore it. The checks and balances built into the bylaws have clearly failed. At best the bylaws need to be significantly updated. At worst they need to be thrown away, and completely reimagined with an emphasis placed on transparency and accountability.

There should be a thorough independent third‑party investigation of the Dolphin Club’s bylaws, rules, guidelines (both formal and informal) and board meeting minutes so as to understand how this has been allowed to happen. For example, is the problem groupthink? Would term limits for their board of governors mitigate this sort of outrageous behavior in the future? Were people who desire to qualify as “life members” afraid to rock the boat? The findings and proposed remedies should be shared publicly on their website.

The Dolphin Club has four swim commissioners. They organize and run the club’s swimming events. One of them needs to be tasked with ensuring ADA compliance. 

And finally, a special election should be called ASAP wherein the Dolphin Club’s entire membership is asked to approve new bylaws that clearly require all club activities to comply with ADA.

HOW YOU CAN HELP 

By signing this petition, you’ll be sending a clear message to Dolphin Club’s board of governors that refusing to allow disabled swimmers to use swim aids during the club’s swimming events is unacceptable.

Thank you for your consideration, support and sharing this incredibly important matter.

 

“Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” 
~~ Victor Hugo / French Poet and Novelist / Les Misérables