Overview
Riptide has always had a tradition of parents volunteering to officiate at meets. Officials are volunteers who work on deck to implement the YMCA swimming rules for dual meets so that each swimmer is given the fairest swim possible. In fact, in order to run our 6 dual meets efficiently, officials are required for each of our three team divisions: Coed, Girls, and Boys. When Riptide children reach college age or leave the program, there is a turnover of officials. So your participation is needed and valued by your children, other swimmers, and the coaches. There are many officiating positions on the YMCA Riptide team. Riptide officials exemplify the Y values of Caring, Responsibility, Honesty, and Respect in every aspect of their officiating.
Latest news
YMCA splits officials into two levels
Why be an official?
Being an official is an important and rewarding job that enables you to learn stroke technique and the rules governing meets. No prior swimming experience is needed, only a desire to learn and be an integral part of meets and be a minimum of 18 years of age. If you would like to learn more you can call Al Wieczorek, the official's coordinator between our team and the league, or speak to any of our officials who would be happy to share their experiences with you. Al's email is al.wieczorek@att.net.
What does an official do?
Officials hold positions such as: Meet Referee, Starter, Stroke Judge, Turn Judge, Stroke and Turn Judge, Finish Judge (also called Across the Board), and Relay Take-off Judges. In addition, the referee may assign a Chief Judge, Chief Timer/Scorer. Typically a chief judge is assigned at championship meets and USS meets. In addition to officiating at dual meets, you are also requested to volunteer your time at YMCA Championship meets.
In addition to officiating as a YMCA official you may take a separate certification course to become a USS official. USS certification allows you to officiate at USS meets (like Winterfest, Holiday Classic, etc.)
How do I become an official?
YMCA Officials become certified through either a Level I course or a Level II clinic taken at an available location. Volunteers interested in becoming an official take one workshop course and then an online open book test which may be taken at home. At the beginning of the season a list of upcoming course locations will be made available on the website. The course focuses on events, procedures and the duties and responsibilities of the officials prior to, during, and after the meet. A score of 80 percent must be achieved on a take home test in order to achieve certification.
Is there a mentoring program for new officials?
Definitely yes. Riptide encourages new officials to apprentice with an experienced official to get a feel for judging strokes and turns, the responsibilities of the finish judge, starter, and referee. You are welcome to do this at any meet, even an away meet. Let the meet referee know before the beginning of the meet that you'd like to gain more experience in a particular position.
Officials Clinics
New officials, as well as current officials whose certification has expired, are asked to attend the scheduled clinics listed. Only one class (Level I official) is required to become certified as a Level I official. That will allow you to perform stroke & turn, finish, relay takeoff, timer, and scorer duties.
After you have completed one year of officiating as a Level I official and have worked at least 8 meets, you are eligible to enroll in a Level II class. The Level II class will provide you the certification to officiate as a referee, starter, and chief judge.
Level I
| Date | Location | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13 | Raritan Valley YMCA | 8:00 AM | Al Wieczorek |
| Oct 14 | Bayonne YMCA | Jim O'Neill | |
| Oct 16 | Summit Area YMCA | Brian Keating | |
| Oct 20 | Burlington County YMCA | Ed Miller | |
| Nov 9 | Ridgewood YMCA | 6:00-10:00 PM | Ed Miller |
| Jan 7 | Somerset Hills YMCA | 6:00-10:00 PM | Diane Ross |
Level II
| Date | Location | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11 | Raritan Valley YMCA | Al Wieczorek | |
| Oct 13 | Raritan Valley YMCA | 11:30 AM | Al Wieczorek |
| Oct 15 | Somerset Hills YMCA | Brian Keating | |
| Oct 20 | Burlington County YMCA | Ed Miller | |
| Oct 20 | Westfield YMCA | Sherm Myers | |
| Nov 15 | Montclair YMCA | Judy Sharkey | |
| Nov 18 | Hamilton YMCA | 2:00-6:00 PM | Michael Grace |
Bronze Championship Officiating
| Saturday Feb 9 | Sunday Feb 10 |
|---|---|
| Session 1 - Fessant | Session 4 - Gugliotta, Maligranda |
| Session 2 - open | Session 5 - Gupta |
| Session 3 - Patten, Wereszczak | Sesson 6 - Rugulo, Endler |
Please bring your whites, card, and the meet sign off sheet to the meet.
If there are additional sessions you are interested in working, everyone is welcome.
The following is from Paul Gondek, meet referee:
Hi Everyone,
First, thanks very much to all of you for volunteering to work this swim meet. As you know, this is a great chance for kids of Bronze level ability to experience the excitement and competition of a State Championship meet. I’m sure you have their thanks, and that of their parents, as well.
Second, the weather forecast for next week is currently good. However, some of you may remember a couple of years ago when we had to cancel. If the weather looks like a problem, please call the HCY Stingrays Team Hotline at 908-782-1044 x655 for updates.
The session schedule, based on entries and event timing, appears below. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Finally, we have pretty good coverage for Sessions 1 on each Saturday and Sunday (although more would not hurt). However, we are currently short of officials for Sessions 2 and 3 both days, especially Sessions 3. If you are available, we could use your help. If you know of someone else who is coming, but not working, please encourage them to do so.
Schedule (please note that Saturday and Sunday are DIFFERENT):
SATURDAY, SESSION 1 9-10 YEAR-OLDSWarm-up 7:00
Officials' Meeting 7:15
Session Start 8:10
Session End 11:45
SATURDAY, SESSION 2 11-12 YEAR-OLDS
Warm-up 12:00
Officials' Meeting 12:15
Session Start 1:10
Session Ends 3:45
SATURDAY, SESSION 3 13+ YEAR-OLDS
Warm-up 4:00
Officials' Meeting 4:15
Session Start 5:10
Session Ends 8:00
SUNDAY, SESSION 1 9-10 YEAR-OLDS
Warm-up 7:00
Officials' Meeting 7:15
Session Start 8:10
Session End 12:15
SUNDAY, SESSION 2 11-12 YEAR-OLDS
Warm-up 12:30
Officials' Meeting 12:45
Session Start 1:40
Session End 4:15
SUNDAY, SESSION 3 13+ YEAR-OLDS
Warm-up 4:30
Officials' Meeting 4:45
Session Start 5:40
Session Ends 8:50
Thanks again! See you this weekend!
Paul
Expenses
Riptide will reimburse you for the cost of this program. Please contact Al or Priscilla.
Questions?
Please contact Al Wieczorek with any questions.
Meet the current Riptide officials
| Name | Certification (YMCA, USS) |
|---|---|
| Joe Zavoda | Level II |
| Al Wieczorek | Level II / USS Starter / S&T |
| Bill Wereszczak | Level II |
| Mike Wardlow | Level II |
| Scott Thompson | Level II |
| Teresa Samtur | Level I / USS S&T |
| Lou Rugulo | Level II |
| Bob Patten | Level II |
| Ted Maligranda | Level II / USS S&T |
| Gary Kudwitt | Level II |
| Ross Ignall | Level II |
| Chris Hochman | Level II |
| Glenn Higgins | Level II |
| Elora Gupta | Level II |
| Carolyn Gugliotta | Level I |
| Charlene Glascock | Level I |
| Stan Fessant | Level I / USS S&T |
| Paul Endler | Level II |
| Robin Charniga | Level II |
| Dave Barnhard | Level II |
Officials coordinator Al Wieczorek
Resources for Officials
What is the latest hot topic that officials are talking about? Go to the discussion forum hosted by Ed Miller.
For support and information on YMCA officiating, visit the YMCA Competitive Swimming web site
Rule Books
The 2007 USA Rule Book is available for download here.
The 2007 USA Swimming Mini-Rule Book (technical rules) is here.
The lighter side of officiating
Top 10 Physical Attributes For a Swim Official
Top 10 Hints That You Are Going To Have a Rough Meet as the Referee