Volunteering Opportunities
Why Volunteer?
Join us in creating a memorable and rewarding experience for swimmers and spectators alike by volunteering at swim meets.
As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to play a crucial role in the smooth execution of the event, from assisting with timekeeping and lane judging to organizing and coordinating various activities. By contributing your time and effort, you become an essential part of the swimming community, fostering a supportive and enthusiastic atmosphere that inspires athletes to excel.
Whether you have a passion for the sport, want to gain valuable skills, or simply enjoy being part of a dynamic team, volunteering at swim meets offers a unique chance to make a positive impact while forging lifelong connections.
Dive in and discover the incredible fulfilment of giving back to a sport that brings joy and achievement to so many.
The Roles
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Timekeeping is where most parents start as volunteers. The most important single statistic at a swim meet is the time a swimmer achieves during the race.
As a Timekeeper you operate various timing devices such as stopwatches or buttons that are attached to the automatic timing equipment. Timekeepers are responsible for starting their watches on the starting signal and stopping their watches or activating the push buttons when any part of the swimmer’s body touches the wall at the completion of the race. The times recorded are used to determine the race results. Timekeepers write their times on the lane timesheets.
The Chief Timekeeper starts a stopwatch on every race to take the winners time or to act as a backup if a timekeeper’s watch fails.
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The AOE (Automatic Officiating Equipment) Operator is responsible for the set-up and operation of the control console, touch pads, starting system and score boards (when used).
If the swim meet is seeded and the results recorded by electronic means there may be a link to a computer to process the input (entry and seeding of swimmers into the meet) and the output (final results of times swum) for meet results.
The Computer Operator is responsible for electronic data entry, seeding of swimmers, and meet results.
During the swim meet the AOE Operator and Computer Operator work with the Referee and other officials to maintain the smooth operation of the meet. This may include reporting equipment malfunctions.
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The Marshalls are responsible for ensuring that all swimmers entered in each heat are present for the start of their race, and lined up behind the blocks in the correct lanes, ready for their race to start.
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The Turn Judges observe the swimmers from the end of the lane(s) to ensure that the turns and finishes comply with the rules applicable to each stroke.
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The Stroke Judges walk abreast of the swimmers, observing the swimmer’s strokes to ensure compliance with the rules relating to each stroke.
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The Starter ensures that all swimmers receive a fair and equitable start.
The Starter works closely with the Referee, assuming responsibility for the race start at the Referee’s signal. At that time the Starter invites the swimmers to “take their marks” ensuring that no swimmer is in motion prior to the starting signal.
Starters are also responsible for ensuring that the starting equipment is in proper working order prior to the start of the meet.
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The Referee has overall authority and responsibility for the competition and ensures compliance with all the rules. The Referee resolves all questions relating to the conduct of the swim meet and decides on disqualifications. The referee ensures that all officials are in place, timekeepers are ready, and that all swimmers are present and ready for the start of the race.
When you become knowledgeable in all aspects of running a swim meet, such as Starter, Stroke Judge, Turn Judge (IoT), timekeeping and computer operation, scoring and all rules that pertain to providing fair and equitable competition for all swimmers, you can qualify to assume the duties of a Referee.