Swim Meet Volunteer Positions

Please note: Volunteers are critical to running a swim meet! It takes about 52 volunteers to run a home meet and we need to provide 28 for an away meet. Based on this - all families are required to volunteer at EACH meet where their children are swimming. The Champs will also require a select number of volunteers. We cannot run the meets without volunteers!

All volunteers should sign up on the NEW SwimTopia Page.

https://miamihills.swimtopia.com/swim_meets

Helpful Tip: We have positions available for the first half or second half of the meet. Some are the whole meet.

The 8 and under swimmers are finished with their events a bit before the older swimmers. If you have younger swimmers and want to see them swim unencumbered by the strains of working, then sign up for a second-half position. If you would rather get out of dodge when they are finished, sign up for a first-half position.

Timers - As a timer, you get to be in the front row of all the action. Be prepared for your feet to get wet. You will need the ability to pay attention to the starter to start your watch and be able to stop the watch when the swimmer touches the wall.

Backup Timer - This position is critical as sometimes the timers are too busy talking to each other to notice that the race has begun. You will start two watches for each race and provide one to the offending timer. Chastise at your own discretion.

Stroke Judge - Experienced judges preferred. Familiarity with competitive swimming would be really helpful. However, we will often take any warm body. Brief overview of judging techniques are offered before the meet. Bring your own tissues for the swimmer's DQ tears.

Turn Judge - Same requirements as stroke judge except you deal with things that happen near and on the wall.

Place Judges - Plant yourself in a chair by the finish. Note the position of each swimmer relative to the heat. You will have to get out of the chair when the events switch between 25 and 50 meter events.

Starter (Someone with experience as a Starter will be asked to volunteer for this role) - Experience is really helpful in this position. It can determine whether we finish in the same calendar day or not. The starter announces each event and heat, calls the swimmers to the block, then uses that fancy speaker to start the race. A good starter knows when to hold to swimmers avoiding the false start DQ.

Runners - This is not a marathon - hopefully. The runner makes the rounds collecting time slips and DQ slips from the timers and returns them to the Computer Operator.

Swim Meet Volunteer Positions Cont.

Computer Operator - This position requires the computer operator to enter the times for each swimmer into the computer.

Computer Assistant - This position assists the computer operator and ensures accurate data entry.

Ribbon Writer - Cursive not required. The ribbon writer places a sticker on the ribbon corresponding with the place. These are then placed into the ribbon box by family last name.

Clerk of Course - This position requires deft management skills. Swimmers will be positioned in order and lane of the upcoming heats. The swimmers move like herded cattle in an orderly fashion. This really helps make a meet run smoothly.

Announcer - Clear voice and ability to follow along in the heat sheet is really helpful. Some good jams at the right time can take the edge off for parents or get the swimmers charged up for the relays.

Age Group Parent (aka Wrangler) - As the Age Group Wrangler, you will be responsible for either boys or girls in the specified age range and make sure that they make it to Clerk of Course in time for their race. You may have to use bribery to keep them nearby. Stay by the Clerk of Course to help walk swimmers to the blocks, as needed.

Concession Workers - The Concession Worker should be able to make simple change with quarters and dollar bills. The ability to up-sell is not really necessary.

Griller - Man the grill and cook the meat.

Bouncer- This position helps keep the area behind the blocks clear from non-swimmers and parents sneaking up for a better glimpse of the pool. Kids have missed events because of too many spectators in this area, so this helps us keep it all organized.

Hospitality- Keep the water coolers stocked with bottled water and pass them out to the coaches/workers once or twice a shift (especially if super hot)

Dive Meet Volunteer Positions

Judges - 3 judges for home, 2 for away meets. The judge should be impartial to each diver and judge fairly. Training may be necessary. Contact Swim/Dive Rep if you have never judged before and can fill this role.

E-Dive Operator - Training Needed. Operate the computer system and input information as the diving meet takes place.

Announcer (HOME Only) - This person will announce the order of divers at the beginning of each group, then announce each dive prior to the dive.

Table Worker - Enter the scores as they are given for each diver