How to Become a Swim Official for this season

October 13, 2025

Officials – It's time to register as officials for the upcoming season.

No experience required – you’ll receive volunteer points and have the best seat in the house to watch your swimmer!

 

First Steps: Getting Registered

How to Register

Accessing Training: Start with the Basics

Once you have access to the LMS (Learning Management System), you can begin your training with introductory clinics. The best place to start includes:

  • Level 1 – Introduction to Swimming Officiating: This clinic covers the fundamentals and is available online.

  • Safety Marshal Clinic: Another excellent entry-level clinic that can be taken online or in person.

These clinics introduce you to roles such as Timekeeper and Safety Marshal, which are key starting points for new officials. Once you've completed the clinics, you're ready to get started on deck! Click here on how to navigate the LMS.

Gaining Experience: Learning by Doing

Training doesn’t stop with the clinic. To become fully certified in a role, you’ll need to:

  1. Volunteer at swim meets in the position you trained for (e.g., Timekeeper).

  2. Work at least two sessions in that role.

This hands-on experience helps reinforce what you learned in the clinic and ensures you're ready for future responsibilities.

Progressing Your Certification

Once you’re comfortable in entry-level roles, you can continue developing your officiating skills by taking additional clinics for positions such as:

  • Inspector of Turns

  • Judge of Stroke

On deck attire

Senior Officials are reminded to wear the following:

  • Black bottoms

  • Comfortable shoes

  • White tops for prelims

  • Red tops for finals

Timers are reminded to wear the following:

  • Black bottoms

  • Comfortable shoes

  • White tops for prelims and finals

 

If you have any questions regarding officiating or how to register - please contact Romy Aquino communications@dartmouthcrusaders.ca