W.S.A.P Barracudas

Other than the coaching staff, parents and volunteers run every aspect of the team. To get involved in the management of the team, please contact any of the current P.A.C. members.

As such, parents are the most important members of this team. It cannot be overstated how vital parent volunteers are. Swimming is not like Little League Baseball, Upwards Basketball, Pee Wee Football, or other youth-organized team sports. Each swim meet requires between 50 and 80 volunteers (depending on whether it is an away or home meet), meaning every family must contribute. The team has made every effort to make volunteering as easy as possible.

Following are description of the volunteer positions required at swim meets:

• Meet Official

Lead official at home meets. Collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to organize volunteers. Explain rules to Timers, Runners, and Place Judges at the beginning of each meet. Coordinate Announcer/Starter, Stroke & Turn Judges. Oversee the meet and start each race heat. Final authority on decisions regarding the meet. This role requires training and league certification.

• Announcer/Starter
  Using a microphone, the announcer calls for each event. They make necessary announcements throughout the event. Responsible for ensuring swimmers and timers are ready, starting each race, and determining if a race needs to be halted or restarted. This position is only needed for home meets. Training required for this position.
• Stroke & Turn Judges
  These judges monitor swimmers to ensure each stroke is performed correctly, including turns and finishes. They also observe for false starts during relays. Training required for this position.
  Additional stroke judges are needed during relays to monitor swimmer exchanges. Relay stroke judges work only at the beginning and end of the meet.
• Head Timer
  The head timer coordinates with all timers during the meet to ensure readiness, accuracy, and completion of timesheets after each heat. They conduct a timer meeting before the meet to explain timing duties to all timers and operate two stopwatches as backups for any lane.
• Timers
  Timing is an easy and enjoyable role, with three timers and a backup timer assigned to each lane. The middle timer’s time is recorded as the official time. Timers clear their stopwatches at the start of each race, start them when the air horn blows, and stop them when they see any part of the swimmer’s body touch the wall.
• Card Runners
  Card runners take timing sheets from the timers after each heat and deliver them to the scoring table. This job keeps you moving around and the time passes quickly. This position is only needed for home meets.
• Scorekeepers
  Scorekeepers record the race results. There are two types of scorekeepers:
  • Data Entry – Enters and verifies data from time cards. Training required to operate the team’s software.
  • Sorter/Recorder – Sorts time sheets by team, age, and event, compares results to determine finishing places, and passes the results to the awards/ribbons table.
• Setup/Cleanup
  Assist with setting up the pool area the night before home meets (setting up tents, running extension cords, etc.) and help clean up afterward.
• Concession Stand
  Help set up the concession stand before the meet starts (preparing coffee and food), sell items during the meet, and clean up afterward.
• 50/50 Raffle
  Circulate among spectators to sell 50/50 tickets during the first half of the meet.
• Awards/Ribbons
  After each individual event, this volunteer awards ribbons to swimmers based on their finish. This position is only needed for home meets.