Sierra Nevada Swimming                                                                                 

 

 

Welcome to the 2025-2026 swim season!

 

 

 

 

 

Sierra Nevada Swimming (SNS) encourages all interested parties in becoming volunteers for their local teams or for USA Swimming. 

Registration Process:

For New Officials: New officials start their certification process as a Stroke & Turn Judge (S&T).  Also starting September 1, 2024, we will be offering a new membership category for Jr. Stroke & Turn Judge (Jr. S&T).  The general steps for becoming certified for each of the positions are the same. This is the recommended order for becoming an official.  ​

  1. Register as an Official (non-athlete) Member of USA Swimming.
  2. Fill out the SNS New Official Google Registration Form
    • Completion of this form will ensure that your apprentice certification is added to your USAS Membership, you have access to the correct on-deck training form and receive e-mail updates and information of upcoming meets and training.
  3. Take Appropriate Courses
    • Courses are available now and can be found at https://university.usaswimming.org/landing. 
    • All new Officials should take the “Foundations of Officiating” course before any additional courses required for S&T and Jr. S&T and “Stroke and Turn Certification Course” for S&T and Jr. S&T
  4. Complete the minimum number of required on-deck training sessions (at least 4 sessions at two different meets).  Freestyle only sessions at a meet do not count.  Ensure that print a copy of the Stroke and Turn Training form and bring it with you so that your sessions can be signed off.
  5. Complete the required steps of:
    • Athlete Protection Training (APT)
    • Background Check (BGC)
    • Concussion Protocol Training (CPT) – Once you have completed this training and received your certificate, please email a copy to Mark Brown, our SNS Registrar, at [email protected] to update your membership
    • CA Residents need to also complete CANRA
  6. After all the above steps have been completed, email a copy of your completed on-deck apprentice form to the Officials Chair [email protected]

Useful Tips for these Steps:

  • USA Swimming Registration link is provided by your club’s Registrar
  • Links for APT, BGC and CPT can be found here: USAS How to become an Official
  • CANRA (Mandatory Reporting: Understanding Your Responsibility) can be found in the Safe Sport tab of USA Swimming University
  • Registration and Background Check require payment to complete.  All other steps are free of charge.  (Some clubs will reimburse officials for these costs so please check with your club.)
  • Jr. Stroke & Turn Officials FAQ

Ordering a Name Tag:  A great way for officials to get to know each other is wear your name tag. In order to order a Sierra Nevada Nametag, please click on the following link:  Order Link for Name Tag

For Returning Officials:  For Returning Officials, please ensure that you renew your membership directly with USA Swimming and pay the membership fee.  Also, you may be required to renew your Athlete Protection Training and Background Check this year.  In order to work a meet, your membership must be in Good Standing.  

Upcoming Clinics:  We will be hosting Starter, Deck Referee, Chief Judge and Admin clinics in October/November.  These will be held via Zoom and information will be emailed with the date and time.​

If you have any questions or need any information, please contact the SNS Officials Chair at [email protected]

Updated:  09/25/2025