The European Forces Swim League (EFSL) is an outgrowth of U.S. and Allied Armed Forces community sponsored swim teams. The League was formed in the summer of 1975 in response to a recognized need to provide an organized competitive swimming program for the youth of military and civilian members stationed in Europe. The League is not intended to be competitive with, or draw participants from the local, regional, or national European competitive swimming programs.

The original teams of the EFSL were Berlin, Heidelberg, Lahr, Mannheim, Stuttgart and SHAPE. Since then, the League has steadily increased in membership to 18 teams located in Germany, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, England and The Netherlands. American and NATO communities are represented. The EFSL has six competitive age levels: 8 and under, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, 15/16 and 17/19. Each level provides a stepping stone for a swimmer to progress through successive levels of competition.

The first annual EFSL Championship Meet was held on 16 April 1977. Since then, this exciting event has been the culmination of the League’s regular season.

The EFSL is proud of its past achievements in providing a successful program for the personal development of our young people. It recognizes the support and efforts of swimmers, parents, coaches, sponsors, friends and community organizations. Without their assistance, these accomplishments could not be achieved. Finally, the EFSL remains committed to supporting the youth of our communities through healthy competition and the fostering of the ideals of good sportsmanship.