We're trying to build our Officiating team and would love for you to join us on deck during the meets! Officials are critical in hosting meets and having a robust team of Officials ensures our meets run smoothly. It's a great way to learn more about the sport of competitive swimming and to help create a great team experience for our swimmers!
For info on how to become a USA Swimming official, click HERE.
If you have questions, check out the info below or reach out to Jennifer Herbek jennifer_herbek@swimhurricanes.com or Jennifer Ladson Jennifer_Ladson@swimhurricanes.com.
What are USA Swimming Officials?
Officials are generally volunteers and receive free training through Georgia Swimming on swimmer safety, meet rules and procedures, and stroke techniques and requirements. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to complete training to serve as an official since they are instrumental in hosting our meets. Many teams welcome visiting officials to their pool decks as they are such valued volunteers. Each meet generally requires a Meet Director, Marshall, multiple Stroke and Turn Judges, one Starter, one Referee and at least one Admin Official.
Officials begin in one of two roles:
- Stroke and Turn Judge: Watch for infractions during each race and impose a disqualification, if required.
- Admin Offical: Manages the paperwork side of the meet to ensure proper documentation and procedures are followed for swimmers.
Why Become a USA Swimming Official?
1. To become more involved in an activity my child loves.
2. To help my child set and reach their personal goals.
3. To help HURR host swim meets.
4. To promote the good name and professional image of HURR by working at other team’s meets.
5. To have a front row seat at all the sessions I work.
6. To take advantage of the free food provided at meet hospitality rooms.
7. By working at least one session of a meet, meet expenses (hotel, meals, mileage, uniforms, etc.) are tax deductible.
Swim meets are more than just swimming. Working as an official provides you insight into how meets are organized, what the responsibility of each official is, and why a disqualification occurs. There are numerous officiating positions, each with a varying level of responsibility, so it’s easy to contribute in an area that’s right for you. No prior swim experience is required, just a willingness to learn.
While opportunities exist to work at every meet (both at home and away) there is no requirement to work, aside from completing your yearly sessions requirement as prescribed by USA Swimming. You decide when and at what meets you’d like to work – officiating is an all-volunteer effort. The financial success of our team is directly related to the successful execution of our home meets, therefore your service as an official directly contributes to our team’s success.
There is a tremendous need for Officials in the Southern Georgia LSC Division. As a USA Swimming Official, you are welcome to work at regular season USA Swimming meets anywhere in the US, but locally our USA Swimming officials have also been invited to help officiate the local high school and middle school meets and the NAIA events held at the Columbus Aquatic Center. These are never required, but they underscore the extent of the need in the greater Columbus area.
For more information on volunteering with our team as an Official, please email our Vice President Jennifer Ladson at Jennifer_Ladson@swimhurricanes.com and check out the Become an Official page.
