Officiating
From the Officials Coordinator
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome parents and their swimmers back for another season of Riptides. I am sure your swimmers are eager to get back in the pool. I also wanted to thank you for a successful 2023-2024 swim season and for all your efforts in making our swim meets successful, fun and safe for the athletes.
We have another exciting season of racing ahead of us and I want to remind everyone of the importance of doing your part as a Swim Official. We simply can’t run our swim meets without your help. For new and returning parents, I have tried my best to summarize some of the key points and steps in getting your certifications below. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at erika@riptides.ca.
Who are Officials?
Officials are volunteer parents who have taken formal training offered through Swim Canada and Swim AB to help run swim competitions. You either are or will soon become an Official! That means you will be on deck helping in one of many important positions that are needed for the competition to run. As a bonus, you get the best seat in the house! Officiating at competitions hosted by the Riptides will also help contribute to your volunteer commitment (see details here). Each Riptide family should have at least one parent/guardian commit to completing the Level I (Red Pin) if your child is registered in N1 or N2 and Level II (White Pin) if your child is in the Junior, Age Group, Jr. Performance or Performance. For information of Levels, please see Swimming Canada Officials Certification Pathway
Below, please find more information regarding what is required of parents at the start of each season.
I'd like to help officiate...what next?
We are grateful our swimmers will have the opportunity to train and race again this year. For swim meets to happen, we need your help!
STEP 1: Activate your Swimming Canada officials account and make sure that you are able to login. You will be sent in your login activation by September 30. If you do not have a Swimming Canada officials account and/or you’re unable to log in by then, please email erika.@riptides.ca to get this set up.
STEP 2 (IF YOU ARE NEW TO SWIMMING OFFICIATING): Once you’ve activated your Swim Canada Officials account, you’ll be able to use your Swim Canada login to access the Swimming Canada Education page. Start by taking the Introduction to Swimming Officiating and Safety Marshal courses. Make sure to finish the entire e-module, so that the system registers the course as completed.
STEP 2 (IF YOU ARE NOT NEW TO SWIMMING OFFICIATING):
Use the Swimming Canada Officials Certification Pathway as a guide.
Go to the Swim Canada Officials Clinics page to access e-modules, self-directed clinics, and information about in-person/online clinics.
Email erika@riptides.ca to let us know you completed a new clinic and are interested in upcoming opportunities for on-deck experience.
STEP 3: Print out the SWIM AB Certification Card, which can be found under “Resources” on the Swim Alberta website.
STEP 4: Hand in your certification card to the Officials Coordinator to get it signed by the referee for your first 2-3 sessions in each new role.
*** Note the certification card is only required for Level II roles. The Officials Coordinator will keep track of sessions logged for Timer and Safety Marshal.
STEP 5: Once you’ve collected these signatures, you’ll be considered certified for that role. You will be able to receive related certification points and be able to move up the ladder to higher officiating levels in the future.
STEP 6: Save the following date in your calendar and stay tuned for job sign-up emails!
October 19 & October 20 – RIPTIDES Mountain Madness
If you have any follow-up questions or are interested in volunteering to organize swim meets with Riptides meet manager & officials coordinator, please email Erika at erika@riptides.com and/or Christie@riptides.com
Erika Pataki
Riptides Officials Coordinator