Swim Meet Volunteer
It is generally understood throughout our region that the Carrollton Aqua Racers have the best facility and host the most organized swim meets. However, these swim meets don’t just happen, they are the collective effort of volunteers who are willing to get involved and make a difference. The jobs performed by volunteers are not difficult, and require no special talents or knowledge of swimming or swim meets. The volunteers work one of two sessions. The first session runs from about 7:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the second session runs from about 10:30 to end of meet (~1:30 p.m.) The following is a brief description of each of the areas for which volunteers are needed for our two home swim meets. We really need every family to have a volunteer at the meet so the meet runs smoothly and everybody can watch their swimmer swim.
Timers - 16 per session
Two timers per lane. One to push the button on a stopwatch and the other to push the button for the electronic timer. This is a sit down job, which provides the best seats in house for watching the races.
Ribbons - 4 per session
Another sit down job which involves making out the event tag on the back of each ribbon, recording the information, and getting the ribbons into the proper team envelope. The toughest part of this job is reading the smeared ink on a wet deck slip.
Deck Slips - 2 per session
This person delivers the wet and smeared deck slips from the timers to the ribbon makers. Some walking involved, but you get to see every race from real close.
Heating - 4 per session
Particularly suited for teachers, parole officers, and drill sergeants. The job is to place each swimmer in a lane, for his heat, for his event and keep them in that spot for more than a minute and a half. You not only get to work in the shade; you also get to yell at other people’s kids.
Runners – 3 per session
If you liked the Pied Piper, here’s your chance. You get to lead a line of eight swimmers (ideally arriving in the same position they started out in) from one side of the pool to the other. This is the only part time job since your services are needed only on relays and 25-meter races.
Hospitality — 2 per session
You provide the other volunteers with drinks. Everybody is nice to you and appreciates you making the rounds with cold drinks.
Gate — 4 per session
Well suited for any volunteer—everybody (swimmers included) pays to get in and you just collect the money and mark them paid (armbands or markers). Session 1 gate keeper starts at 6:45 a.m.
Heating Board — 1 per session
We finally have a Heating Board and now we just need a Vanna to keep it updated. Even high school volunteers could fill this volunteer position.
Security — 1 per session
This is our crowd control position. Very important—the Authority position you always wanted—keep the path clear for swimmers to get by and coaches to coach.
Hospitality Set Up and Take Down—
Looking for a few strong men?? Benefits include first group into the meet and you get a quick workout before the day starts. Position entails carrying in coolers, drinks and supplies for the meet and this position is usually over in 15 minutes. We need 1 helper at 6:30 am to set-up and 2 after the meet to take down.
Each of these volunteer jobs is extremely important to the success of our home swim meets. This is a great way for parents to get involved and be a part of the overall activity. You will also find that a long, hot swim meet goes by a lot quicker. If that isn’t enough - free water and pop, hand delivered for every volunteer during their session. Any questions - talk to a Board Member. Sign-ups will at the front table at swim practice.
WE REALLY DO NEED EVERYBODY TO HELP. More Questions? Please email the AquaRacers Webmaster.
