The MEET DIRECTOR conducts all swim meets in accordance with the bylaws of the NWSC. They are in complete charge of the meet, adjudicate all disputes, and have the final word in all matters, subject to a written protest. (1 needed per meet)
The STARTER begins each event/heat announcing the age, stroke, and the phrase “swimmers take your marks.” Following they pause briefly to make sure that all swimmers are motionless, and then gives an electronic sound or a blast of a whistle. The starter is the sole judge of false starts and all false starts will be restarted.
(2 needed per home meet)
The ANNOUNCER is responsible for calling the event/heat number, age group, sex, and event name so that the swimmers and/or pit parent will know when to report to the ready bench.
(2 needed per home meet)
The EVENT/HEAT TURNER flips over the event and heat cards to keep the audience and volunteers clear as to the last and next event/heat.
(2 needed per home meet)
The LANE TIMER keeps an accurate time (using a stopwatch) of the swimmer in the lane they are assigned. There are three timers assigned per lane (not all from BHCTW). One of the timers (decided amongst you) will record all three times on the event card at the end of the event or heat and hand it off to the runner.
(18 needed per meet)
The HEAD/BACKUP TIMER starts one or two stopwatches when they hear the electronic sound or a blast of a whistle for each event/heat. The lane timers will motion they need a backup stopwatch from you if they missed the start on theirs.
(2 needed per home meet)
The STROKE JUDGE observes strokes, turns, and finishes to see that swimmers comply with requirements for that stroke.
(4 needed per meet)
The FALSE START JUDGE drops the false-start rope into the water only when the starter signals a false start.
(2 needed per meet)
The EXCHANGE JUDGE observes exchanges in all of the relay events.
(8 needed per meet)
The READY BENCH organizes the swimmers into pre-determined heats before the start of each event.
(6 needed per meet)
The RUNNER gathers event cards from the swimmers and walks them to the timers for all 25M events. After each event, once all times are recorded the cards are collected along with any disqualification (DQ) forms from the judges and delivered to the scoring table.
(4 needed per meet)
The SCORING/RIBBON OFFICIAL identifies the official time for each swimmer in an event, posts results and prepares ribbons if time permits once the computer rep provides the necessary printouts.
(6 needed per meet)
The PIT PARENT verifies the swimmers in their age group has arrived at the meet and notifies a coach if there is anyone missing based on the event cards. Throughout the meet, they distribute event cards, monitor the swimmers whereabouts, and leads the swimmers to the ready bench with their event cards in hand.
(40 needed per meet)
The COMPUTER REP will need to: (1 needed per season & 1 backup)
- Learn the software used by the NWSC
- Key in the meet entries provided by the coaches
- Print the heat sheet
- Key in the official times provided by the scoring/ribbon officials
- Print meet results for home meets
- Provide the team points as the meet progresses
- Provide the coaches with reports
The COMPUTER ASSISTANT will assist the computer rep in entering the official times during the meet.
(2 needed per home meet)
The SET-UP/CLEAN-UP CREW sets up covers, ropes, tables and chairs in preparation for the meet, and take down and store these items at the end of the meet.
(10 needed per home meet & 6 needed per away meet)
The CONCESSIONS GROUP sets up and operates the concession stand throughout the meet. This also includes purchasing items and transporting them to and from the meet, taking inventory and organizing baked good donations. After the meet they take down the stand and work with the set-up/clean-up crew to store it for use at the next meet.
(6 needed per home meet)
The MERCHANDISE GROUP sets up and operates the merchandise stand throughout the meet. This also includes purchasing items, transporting them to and from the meet, assisting in making merchandise, and taking inventory. After the meet they take down the stand and work with the set-up/clean-up crew to store it for use at the next meet.
(4 needed per meet)
The FLOATER will be on-call during the meet to fill in for any position needed.
(4 needed per meet)
There is a mandatory OFFICIALS CLINIC held to train and certify the following officials: starters, stroke judges, exchange judges, meet directors, and floaters. Even if you do not volunteer for one of these positions it is recommended you attend the clinic to help you understand what is expected of the children to prevent disqualification. PLEASE NOTE: If we do not have enough certified judges at a meet we will have to forfeit.
To make the meets a success everyone attending the meets must volunteer to work for half of it. If you are unsure of what you would like to do, please contact the volunteer coordinator for more information. If you are unable to attend a meet, please make sure that the adult who does attend with your child is willing to do his/her part. Once the schedule is published on our website (www.bhctidalwaves.org) it is imperative that you review this schedule and notify the volunteer coordinator via email or voicemail if you have a schedule conflict by the Wednesday prior to the meet. This allows enough time to find a replacement for you. Thank you for your understanding and continued support to make all of the meets a success!
