Springboard Barracudas Swim and Dive

Swim and Dive are sports that require a lot of parent involvement to make our seasons a success. It takes over 40 volunteers to operate a home swim meet! Most volunteer positions are learned quickly and easily on the job. Each Swim and Dive family will have a volunteer requirement to meet, mostly by helping to staff our meets, but there will also be additional opportunities to volunteer over the season. Volunteers will sign up here on SwimTopia and we'll keep you updated on your progress towards meeting your requirement. 

Swim and Dive meets are entirely volunteer / parent-run, including the meet officials. The Northern Virginia Swim League conducts clinics in the month of June to train officials such as Stroke and Turn Judges, Starters (Swim), Judges (Dive) and Referees (Swim and Dive). E-mail [email protected] if you'd like more information on becoming an official.  

2024 NVSL CLINIC SCHEDULE

Registration for the in-person clinics is not required. In order to attend the virtual clinics, you must be certified in the position for a minimum of 5 years and registration is required: Virtual Officials Clinic Registration.

All Clinics start on time, rain or shine. There is no cost for the clinics and no registration for the in-person clinics is necessary.

New Referee, Referee/Starter, New Starter, and Stroke & Turn Clinics are 2 hours in length.

Wednesday 5/18 - 8AM-10AM

• New Referee ONLY @ Village West
• New Starter ONLY @ Great Falls

Saturday, May 19th - 8AM-10AM

• Stroke and Turn (New and Recert)  @ High Point Pool
• Stroke and Turn (New and Recert) @ Hayfield Farm

Saturday, May 22th - 7PM-9PM

• Referee/Starter Recertification @ Rolling Valley
• Referee/Starter Recertification @ Stratford

Sunday, June 1th - 8AM - 1PM NVSLU @ Fairfax County Government Center

• NEW Referee ONLY @ 8AM
• NEW Starter Only @ 8AM
• Referee/Starter Recertification @ 8AM
• Stroke and Turn (New and Recert) @ 10:30AM
• Chief Timer Clinic @ 8:30AM
• Hy-Tek @ 8AM
• Table Admin @ 10:30AM

Wednesday, June 5th - 7PM

• Referee/Starter Recertification (Virtual) (Please contact Team Reps before attending)

Sunday, June 9th - 8-10 AM

• Stroke and Turn (New and Recert) @ Dominion Hills
• Stroke and Turn (New and Recert) @ Kings Ridge
• Stroke and Turn (New and Recert) @ Sully Station II
• Stroke and Turn (New and Recert) @ Wakefield Chapel

Tuesday, June 11th - 7PM

• Stroke and Turn Recertification (Virtual)

Wednesday, June 14th - 7PM

• New/Recertificaiton Stroke and Turn @ Sully Station

Below you will find descriptions of volunteer positions required to operate Swim and Dive Meets.  These positions do not require any advance training and can be learned quickly and easily on the job.

SWIM MEETS

The volunteer positions marked with asterisks (**) require that the volunteer wear the official summer "uniform" of the NVSL - a white shirt and navy blue shorts or skirt.  Timers and RTO judges should wear footwear they are comfortable with getting wet (the swimmers can make some pretty big splashes sometimes!).  All volunteers should wear comfortable shoes.    

TIMER**: For each meet, we have six lanes for swimmers and three timers per lane. As a timer, you'll be provided a watch and will have a briefing prior to the start of the meet with the referee and head timer. You'll start your watch with the light strobe on the starting device then stop the watch when the swimmer touches the wall. Each lane will have someone record all three times and someone to put the time up on the results board at each lane. You'll also verify the swimmer's name to make sure you have the correct time card. 

RTO / RELAY TAKE OFF JUDGE**: You'll be provided with slips and a clipboard to note the "take off," or swimmer's dive, during the relay portion of the meet.  You need to attend a briefing with the referee held during the break between individual and relay events.  During the relay events, you'll watch to make sure that the incoming swimmer has touched the wall before the next swimmer dives in for his or her relay leg.

MARSHAL**: The marshal helps to ensure the safety of the swimmers on deck by observing their warmups and making sure pathways are clear for the swimmers. The marshall will have a briefing with the referee and will be positioned on the pool deck by the referee. The marshal will also help to quiet the crowd so that swimmers can hear the sound of the starting device. 

RUNNER**: The runner will help to collect cards from the timers and deliver to the Data Coordinator.  The runner may also help to collect DQ slips from the referee and deliver to the Data Coordinator.  

CLERK OF COURSE**: You will help to make sure that the swimmers are organized in their lanes for their events and will escort the younger swimmers to their lanes. In Time Trials and B Meets, the clerk of course will help to organize the heats of each event and sort the time cards in accordance with lane assignments. The clerk of course will provide the head timer with the time cards per heat. 

PLACE RECORDER / VERIFIER / RIBBONS**: You will assist the Data Coordinator to ensure that times are listed correctly on the time cards and entered accurately in the computer.  For "Ribbons" you will adhere labels with the swimmer's finish and time and organize by team.  This is a good slot to fill if you prefer to be out of the sun and/or seated.

CONCESSIONS: You'll help to sell items from the Cuda Shack. You'll take money, make change and note charges on Springboard families' tabs. You may help to restock items from the freezer or pantry. 

COOKS: You'll work with our awesome team of cooks to prep and assemble breakfast burritos in the morning then burgers, hot dogs, fresh toppings and any special items on the menu. You'll take tickets and help to distribute orders.

DIVE MEETS

TABLE WORKERS: Record scores during the meet from the judges, total them, apply the degree of difficulty and verify all scores during the meet,.

ANNOUNCER: During the meet, you will announce each diver, the dive and the degree of difficulty involved, and to call the scores shown by judges.

CONCESSIONS: You'll help to sell items from the Cuda Shack. You'll take money, make change and note charges on Springboard families' tabs. You may help to restock items from the freezer or pantry.