Introduction
Welcome to the world of swim officiating! This page contains all the information you need to become an entry-level swim official. If you have any questions or for more information, please contact Monica Nelsen or Alyce Oulette.
Why Be An Official?
There are lots of great reasons to become a swim official…
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We need you! Maybe it looks to you like we have plenty of folks on deck…but the fact is that at most meets we have about half the number of folks we need to officiate effectively!
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Contribute meaningfully to the sport! Sitting in the stands or a lawn chair on deck is better than not showing up for your children, but becoming an official demonstrates to them the kind of parent you are --- caring and active.
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Great view! You are right there at the point of the action.
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Hospitality! At most all meets you are 'fed and watered' to your heart's content.
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Camaraderie! Meet and make friends with lots of other folks from all over your area and the state, and enjoy the energy and spirit of the officials' group.
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We are NOT Little League…in swimming, unlike many sports, we pay for professional coaching and rely on volunteer officials…that’s how it should be, not the other way around!
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If you complete your officials' training before June 1, your volunteer and fundraising requirements will be waived!
What do ‘Stroke and Turn Judges’ do?
The officials help the coaches and swimmers by maintaining a fair, competitive environment. Stroke and Turn Judges (S/T) will observe the swimmers after the start and report any violations of the stroke and turn rules to the Referee. Officials should never incorrectly report a violation of the rules, as it is expected that all reports are based on 100% certainty that what is reported as a disqualification is a violation of the rules. The swimmers ALWAYS get the benefit of the doubt!
Officials—Levels
Swimming officials are divided into several levels, and once you have become a S/T judge, you can choose to progress to additional levels if you wish. No level is more important than the Stroke and Turn level, but you learn additional skills at each level. The additional levels are:
• Starter
• Deck Referee
• Meet Referee
How To Become An Official
Register as an apprentice official. Once your training is completed, you will register and pay membership dues as a full official.
- Complete the Foundations of Officiating and Stroke & Turn Certification courses.
- Complete a Level 2 Background Check
- Complete Athlete Protection Training
- Complete Concussion Protocol Training
- Complete on-deck sessions shadowing a certified official
