Announcer
The Announcer helps set the pace and excitement of the swim meet by introducing swimmers and communicating important information throughout the competition. This role is a great fit for someone with a strong, clear voice and the ability to correctly pronounce swimmer names.
The Announcer works closely with the Starter/Referee to help keep events moving efficiently, ensure swimmers are ready for their races, and create an energetic and positive atmosphere for swimmers, families, and spectators.
Computer Worker
The Computer Worker plays an important role in ensuring meet results are entered accurately and efficiently. This position is a great fit for someone who enjoys working with computers, software, and detailed information.
Computer Workers use Meet Manager software to enter race times from timer sheets provided by the runners, review results, and help maintain accurate scoring throughout the meet. This role requires attention to detail, the ability to stay focused during busy portions of the meet, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment.
The scoring table can become very active during certain parts of the meet, but training and support will be provided. This is a great opportunity to learn more about meet operations and play an essential role behind the scenes in keeping results moving smoothly.
Deck Parent
This is one of the most important volunteer roles during a summer swim meet. Unlike winter meets, swimmers are spread throughout the pool grounds, making it essential to have volunteers dedicated to helping our youngest swimmers stay organized and ready to race.
Deck Parents work alongside the coaches to help create a fun, organized, and successful meet experience. They locate and gather swimmers when it’s time for their events, help them identify their event, heat, and lane assignments, line them up in the correct order, and escort them to the starting area when needed. Before each race, Deck Parents perform a final check to ensure swimmers are in the correct heat and lane while also providing encouragement and reassurance to help them feel confident and excited to compete.
Meet Setup & Take Down
The Meet Setup & Take Down team plays a vital role in preparing the pool for a successful swim meet and returning everything to storage afterward. Volunteers in this position should plan to arrive 45–60 minutes before the meet and remain 45–60 minutes after the meet concludes.
Volunteers help unload equipment from the storage closet, unpack totes, and set up tables, timing equipment, lane supplies, and other items needed before the meet begins. At the conclusion of the meet, they assist with collecting, packing, and returning all equipment to the storage area, ensuring everything is organized and ready for the next meet.
Parking Attendant
This position requires arriving approximately 45 minutes early to work with pool staff and help ensure parking runs as efficiently as possible. You may also be asked to assist with additional volunteer needs during the meet if necessary.
Runner
The Runner plays an important role in keeping the meet running smoothly by ensuring race results are delivered to the scoring table as quickly and accurately as possible. After each race, the Runner collects timing sheets from the lane timers and stroke and turn officials and delivers them to the scoring table for processing.
This volunteer position is active throughout the meet and is a great fit for someone who enjoys staying on the move and helping the meet run efficiently.
Snack Bar
The Snack Bar is one of our team’s biggest fundraisers and helps support end-of-season awards, team celebrations, and other extras throughout the season. Volunteers assist with setting up the snack bar before the meet, preparing and serving food and beverages, handling sales, restocking items as needed, and cleaning up at the end of the meet.
This is a great volunteer opportunity for those who prefer not to spend the entire meet poolside. While you’ll be busy helping in the snack bar, you’ll still have the opportunity to step away and watch your child swim.
Starter/Referee (certified)
The Starter/Referee is the lead official for the swim meet and plays a critical role in ensuring the competition is conducted fairly, safely, and efficiently. This volunteer oversees the flow of the meet, initiates each race with fair and consistent starts, applies league rules, and provides guidance to other meet officials when questions arise.
Because this position requires a thorough understanding of league rules and meet procedures, volunteers must be certified for this position before serving in this role. The Starter/Referee helps keep the meet running on schedule while ensuring all swimmers have a fair and positive competitive experience.
Stroke & Turn Judge (certified)
Stroke & Turn Judges help ensure fair competition by observing swimmers and verifying that each stroke, turn, and finish is performed according to league rules. Officials are responsible for identifying rule violations and, when necessary, fairly and consistently issuing disqualifications.
This position requires certification and a working knowledge of stroke and turn rules. New volunteers typically apprentice alongside experienced officials before serving independently. Training is available at the start of each year and provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about competitive swimming and meet operations.
Table Worker (No Training Required)
Table Workers provide essential support to the scoring table and help keep meet operations organized and running smoothly. Volunteers assist with organizing paperwork, supporting the computer operator, reviewing results, and helping with other administrative tasks throughout the meet.
No prior training is required for this role, making it a great opportunity for volunteers who want to learn more about how swim meets are managed while supporting the team behind the scenes.
Timer
The Timer position is one of the most popular volunteer roles for both new and experienced swim parents. Timers use stopwatches to accurately record swimmers’ times in their assigned lanes and play an important role in ensuring each race result is captured correctly.
Typically, there are three timers assigned to each lane, and the middle time recorded is used as the official result. This role provides a close-up view of the races, allows you to be part of the action, and is often a cooler option on the pool deck compared to the spectator areas.
No prior experience is required, and it is a great way for new families to get involved and learn how swim meets work.
Timer (Back-up)
The Back-Up Timer provides additional support to ensure accurate race times are recorded throughout the meet. This role is especially important in the event a lane timer misses a start, stops the watch incorrectly, or a recorded time needs to be verified.
Back-Up Timers use a stopwatch to capture race times and remain available throughout the meet to assist when needed. This is a great role for both new and experienced swim parents who want to be involved, learn more about meet operations, and help ensure accurate results.