WESTOVER WAVES SWIM TEAM
Volunteer Weekly!
Volunteering is expected of all parents and is existential to our organization's existence. Parent are expected to volunteer weekly during the season.
There are multiple ways to fulfill your volunteer obligation!
Meet Volunteers
Family volunteers are the only way Tuesday meets run. Minimal training is required and many task can be done with small children. Please volunteer at every meet your child swims in.
Stroke and Turn
Meets cannot happen without Stroke and Turn Judges. If you have any swim experience, including just years of cheering on the deck, please certify to be a stroke and turn judge!
Leadership Team
Our leadership team is what makes Westover Waves happen! All leadership positions are volunteer and we have several open spots.
We need your help!
MEET VOLUNTEERS
- An adults is expected to volunteer every time a child/family participates in a meet.
- Each meets requires 25-30 parent volunteers to run.
- All positions are for only 1/2 of the meet.
- If you have young swimmers, sign up for the first half of the meet, as they are typically done earlier than the older children.
- Specific tasks are outlined below.
- Note these important icons:
Beginner Position
Young Child Friendly
Timer
Record times for one lane of swimmers with your phone and the swimmingly app.
(Training at 5:40 PM)
Clerk of Course
Work with 3-4 other volunteers to organize swimmers into lanes in the clerk area.
(Training at shift start)
Relay Judge
Watch relay starts to confirm legal take-offs.
(Training at 5:40 PM)
Stroke & Turn
Requires prior training. Watch each event to ensure legal strokes and turns by swimmers.
(Training at 5:40 PM)
Ribbons
Place labels on ribbons and sort into folders.
(Wednesday Evening Practice)
Sweeps Judge
Identify finishing order of each lane for races in shift.
Home Meets Only
(Training at 5:40 PM)
Set Up
Set up pool deck, clerk of course, and starter tent.
Home Meets Only
(4:30 PM - 5:30 PM)
Clean Up
Clean up after the meet. Ensure pool deck is left tidy.
Home Meets Only
(8:30 PM - 9:30 PM)
Hospitality
Offer water and snacks to volunteers and coaches.
Home Meets Only
Anthem
Recruit or prepare a National Anthem performance.
Home Meets Only
(Ready at 5:45 PM)
STROKE & TURN
Want the best spot at the pool to watch meets? Do you enjoy occasional splashes from swimmers to keep you cool? Become a stroke and turn official!
- All stroke and turn judges are volunteers. We are is required to have FOUR stroke and turn official at every meet.
- You DO NOT need prior experience with swimming or officiating! We provide training and have a great group of certified officials who can help you learn.
- Stroke and turn helps swimmers learn the rules of the sport while maintaining a fair competition opportunity for the teams.
- Volunteers officiate for one half of a swim meet and are only responsible for watching one quarter of the pool during each race. It’s easy!
Interested?
- All stroke and turn officials must be certified through the Valley Swim League (VSL) or be USA Swimming certified.
- If you need certification, there are a few easy options:
- In person training Tuesday, June 9th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM at JMU's Hartman Hall)
- Virtual training (link forthcoming)
- Complete training via strokeandturn.com and be reimbursed for the cost. (For those who cannot attend the local or virtual training)
If you’d like to officiate this summer, are already certified, or plan to attend an upcoming training, please contact Sarah Whitley or Westover Waves as soon as possible! Sarah will provide details and answer any questions.
Join the Westover Waves Family!
At the Westover Waves, we’re more than a swim team – we’re a community. Our focus is on fostering confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of swimming. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced swimmer, there’s a place for you in our family. Come grow with us in the pool and beyond!
