Welcome to Officials

As a parent of a swimmer you have the opportunity to be involved with your child and their sport in various ways. One very instrumental way is by being trained, certified, and working as an Official. Officials are present at all competitions to implement the technical rules of swimming and to ensure that the competition is fair and equitable to everyone. Click below to read more about:

 

Officials attend clinics, receive training and are certified by USA Swimming. Novice officials generally start as Stroke and Turn Officials whose job it is to observe the swimmers in their assigned lanes from the time they take their first arm pull after entering the water or beginning a race through the completion of their race. Stroke and Turn Officials ensure that the strokes, turns and finishes comply with the rules applicable to each stroke. If strokes, turns or finishes are executed in a manner which is out of compliance with the rules, in the spirit of fairness they document information to disqualify a swimmer from a race.

There are many levels of officiating that require different degrees of involvement and time. Stroke and Turn Officials learn the ropes by attending clinics, using self-study materials, and working on deck under the supervision of an experienced official. Those who are interested move up the ladder to serving as a chief judge, then to refereeing and starting--again, learning through a combination of clinics, self-study materials, and on-the-job training.

 

NEWS

Opportunity to Officiate at 2023 CA/NV Spring Sectionals

The 2023 CA/NV Sectionals are being held March 2nd - 5th, 2023 in two locations:

Carlsbad CA, hosted by North Coast Aquatics and  San Diego Imperial LSC, and
 
Novato CA, hosted by Thunder Coast Aquatics and Pacific Swimming LSC.

This will be an OQM and the “Application to Officiate” can be found here:

Application to Officiate 2023 CA/NV Spring Sectionals

To be considered for specific assigned positions (Deck Referee, Starter, Chief Judge, Asst.Admin Referee), applications MUST be received by January 20, 2023.

Applications for Stroke & Turn positions will be accepted at any time. However, only those applying by February 5th, 2023 will be assured of receiving a meet shirt.

Officials are asked to sign up for one meet only.

Officials will be notified by January 28th, 2023 of their assigned position status.

Questions? Contact:

Carlsbad:  
John Gagliardo, Carlsbad Meet Referee
jcg-meetref@comcast.net

Novato:  
Scot Ranslem, Novato Meet Referee
scotranslem@discover.com
 

2022-23 Meet Assignments (updated 1/18/23) - Pacific's major meet assignments for the 2022-23 swim year are available. Click here to view.

Officials Apparel - Our inventory is fully stocked again and we are happy to be able to maintain the same prices for all items except jackets. We have also added a knit beanie cap for those cold, winter meets and, by request, an XS Ladies SS polo. Please use this current form to order any items. Thank you for your patience!

Officials Apparel Form 1/2022

2022 Membership Cards for Officials - The 2022 Membership Card for Officials is your Official Certification Card. USA Swimming does not offer the option to print cards for Officials that look like the cards in previous years.

Athlete Protection Training - USA Swimming's Athlete Protection Training course is available by clicking here.

Officials Background Checks - Pacific Swimming will reimburse the $38 cost of the required background check for first time applicants after they become certified officials. The current reimbursement amount for background check renewal is $18. DO NOT let your background check expire!  Expired background checks will be reimbursed at the renewal price only. See your Zone Officials Chair or visit USASwimming.org to begin the background check process. To be reimbursed, submit your receipt or a copy of the charge made on your credit card. No reimbursement will occur without a receipt or approval of your Zone Officials Chair.

No-Show Penalty No Longer Applies to Zone Awarded Meets Swimmers in zone-awarded age group meets who miss an event they have checked in for are no longer penalized by the loss of the next event they have entered.
 
No-show penalties still apply in Pacific-awarded meets, including senior meets, JOs, and Far Westerns.

Important Links

USA Swimming Officials Information

Rule Books

General

Safety