Officials and Officiating - Recent Threads

Officials needed for Sunday, November 23, 2025 - New York

02Y0P — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:53:48 GMT

Looking for officials for Annual Dr Bill Ross Memorial Masters Meet in East Meadow, New York. Please contact meet director: Bob Kolonkowski at rpk248@gmail.com if you can assist. Thank you!

2024 Officiating: I’m a SoCal Stroke/Turn Judge, how do I get assigned to meets?

Courtney BirnBUM — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 04:58:39 GMT

I’m winding down the swim season as a high school coach and want to officiate some masters events in Southern California! I’m not part of a particular club this year because I’ve been busy coaching. Please let me know of ways I can get involved in meets! So far I’m a stroke and turn judge but will be working on more certification.

RE: 2024 Officiating: I’m a SoCal Stroke/Turn Judge, how do I get assigned to meets?

robinmsmith — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:02:33 GMT

Hi Courtney, I see that you are a member of the Southern Pacific LMSC (SPMS). Many of our officials are also unattached.

Please contact our LMSC Officials Chair Alina DeArmas officials@spmasterswim.org

Our Officials Chair is reponsible for assigning officials to meets in our LMSC. Here is a link to information regarding USMS Officials Training and Certification: https://www.usms.org/volunteer-central/guide-to-local-operations/event-management/officials/training-and-certification

We have some LCM Masters meets coming up on the calendar and we are hosting the 2024 USMS Summer Nationals at the Marguerite Aquatic Center in Mission Viejo.

Thank you

RE: 2024 Officiating: I’m a SoCal Stroke/Turn Judge, how do I get assigned to meets?

ForceDJ — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:10:09 GMT

Well, I’m a USMS member, but I don’t participate in any meets, so I’m probably the last person to ask. But it’s been a few days and you haven’t gotten a response. So, I’ll try. Just a little bit of internet searching led me to the document (linked below) for an upcoming SoCal USMS meet. On it are the names and email of the meet director, and the head official. I would contact them to see if they need assistance, and/or what you have to do to get involved with USMS officiating more regularly. Good luck.

https://www.spmasterswim.org/c/8B6A80C/file/meets/2024/2024_Mission_Viejo_LCM_Meet.pdf

Dan

RE: Earrings/Piercings In Meets?

Teri White — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 17:53:54 GMT

Good morning!!
Masters has no Rules on jewelry. Feel free to contact the Officials Committee directly with any other similar questions.

Earrings/Piercings In Meets?

Michelle — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 14:58:36 GMT

This may be a simple question, but I wasn't able to find anything about it in the USMS rule book. I'm coming out of "retirement" to start swimming competitively again for the first time since high school, and there were rules on all piercings needing to be removed at that age level (at least for our state). Is that the case for USMS meets?

Thanks, all! :)

RE: Earrings/Piercings In Meets?

Kyle Deery — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:42:12 GMT

Welcome Back! Maybe the official's committee can weigh in but I believe standard piercings are OK. Officials Committee

RE: Archives of Masters swim Meet Results

08BVK — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 23:19:11 GMT

Thanks!

That is a great reference site!!! I did not find the meet I was looking for - but there is a rich history of Masters times and stories - like how USMS prohibited professional swimmers in their competitions......

Archives of Masters swim Meet Results

08BVK — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 18:57:25 GMT

At a recent Masters Swim meet, a swimmer told me that there was an archive of all masters meets. He said he was able to retrieve results of a meet he was in in 1971!! As I have looked at the USMS Historical Database, the oldest meet I found was in February 2004. Does anyone know whether USMS has an archive of meets older than 2004? If so, how does one get access to it?

RE: Archives of Masters swim Meet Results

mb windrath — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 20:44:02 GMT

The best that I know of would be in the old Swim-Master archives (the original Masters swimming publication). Here's the link:

Swim-Master Publication (usms.org)

Mary Beth

Application To Officiate for 2018 Spring Champ is live!

Teri White — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 06:47:36 GMT

The Application to Officiate for the 2018 Spring Championships in Indianapolis IN is now available on the USMS meet website, left column, or here: www.usms.org/.../ All interested officials are welcomed to apply via this application. Teri White Chair, USMS Officials Committee

Officiating at Nationals in Indy?

Mark Usher — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 02:06:13 GMT

I'm planning to swim at Indy in May, but am also interested in the possibility of helping to officiate during my "off" sessions. I'm a Certified Starter and N2 Stroke & Turn Judge. Is there a procedure or application process required to officiate? Thanks, Mark

RE: Officiating at Nationals in Indy?

Teri White — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 12:18:06 GMT

Mark, there will be an Application to Officiate for the spring meet available online after the first of the year. It’s link will be posted to this forum. Thank you for your interest in supporting this meet! Teri White Chair, USMS Officials Committee

RE: Meet warm ups?

smiley92407 — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 09:56:22 GMT

At my last swim meet, somebody hid a pull buoy in the gutter. I was not about to touch it and get blamed for bringing one into the pool.

Meet warm ups?

Viva O Fear — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 03:42:29 GMT

I was informed today by meet official no equipment allowed in warm ups. Meet was cancelled in a rare San Diego Lightning storm in La Jolla. Last meet I didn't swim enough warm up so toady I was going through a better warm up and brought my equipment. There was only 3 swimmers in my lane. I never use to use any equipment during warm up ever. Never heard of the rule. Can anyone explain the rational of why?

Get meet over or get it right?

Viva O Fear — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 08:07:36 GMT

I attended the SPMA zone meet December 2nd 2016 in Commerce Ca. I only swam day 1, 1500 free, 200IM, 100 free and 200 Back. I was on 800 free relay at end of day 1 as well. I arrived at meet at 8:10 am just as heat 1 of 12 for 1500 started. All my events went well and was headed for the starting blocks early and my mind froze. Earlier I knew I was in heat 3 lane 5, but somehow I thought heat 3 lane 3. When they called up the teams, there was another swimmer and referee came over and said it was Rose Bowl lane 3. I was still uncertain and then looked what and I saw empty lane 5, I headed over and the starter called up the swimmers and started they race, I was frantically waving my arms and asking him to stop. The heat left and my team mates told me to go, so I did and the team completed the relay. We were disqualified, I felt terrible. This was about 5 pm. I was exhausted and disappointed and hoped the points lost wouldn't change anything. Unfortunately at end of the meet my team was 3rd overall by 4 points. We would have scored 16-18 points in that event. So extra time is given to get swimmers out of the pool at end of races, why don't starters help get swimmers to the right blocks. I wear bifocals, was in low light indoor pool, I was tired from the long day my mind wasn't 100%. It would have been 10 more seconds to get us in right lane why the hurry? If they don't want to get the swimmers in right spot why have the meet. They were determined to get meet over. Very disappointing officials, no objectivity obviously there was some confusion and an open lane. They were determined to finish the meet and if you needed a little extra help, no way....

RE: Get meet over or get it right?

orca1946 — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 05:01:31 GMT

Sorry to hear this. I and other relay members have done this as well , except the officials delayed the start till each team that was at SOME block found their way to the correct one. If you were in the wrong heat after your race then I could se a DQ, but your team was there & should have been given the time to sort out the correct lane. IMHO

RE: Officiating summer club

Former Member — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 06:54:42 GMT

it's old thread, but jpetyk guide good i think.

Officiating summer club

Former Member — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:00:35 GMT

Well my ex started my girls in a country club swim team this summer and I offered to volunteer. They then asked me what experience I had and liked my resume enough to put me in the officials spot. They have not yet sent me any guidelines so I wanted to hear from some here as I know some of you have had kids just starting out. Some real concerns for me is for instance the 8 and under age group. these are new swimmers and obviously their strok is not legit. *** stroke kicks are mostly all going to be flutter. 2 hand touches (yeah right) etc. I guess I am just worried about either being too relaxed or too strict. The coaches are telling the kids at practice that they will be DQd for flutter kick but still they just can't all get it right. Any thoughts? Should I just DQ kids that touch the bottom and let the rest go as long as they are making an honest effort. Thanks

RE: Officiating summer club

Former Member — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 08:41:19 GMT

Its true, if they are going to be judged officially going forwards, it might be best to teach and coach according to the official rules. Just don't be mean or rude. They are still kids!

RE: Officiating summer club

Former Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 17:53:05 GMT

I agree it seems like there could be inconsistency

Officiating at the Orlando Grand Prix

Shifu — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 11:34:50 GMT

I'll be Officiating at the Orlando Grand Prix in March. Is there any where I can swim in the mornings close to the YMCA on International Blvd? I am a Masters Swimmer. Thanks Jim Green

RE: Meet warm ups?

Gary P — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 06:13:12 GMT

After a hard swim, I like a pull buoy for the cool down. But I understand why they aren't allowed some places.

RE: Meet warm ups?

orca1946 — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 05:46:30 GMT

I would think competitive swim apparel would be enough to warm up. try drills if you need more. Toys are not needed to have a good warm up. IMHO

RE: Meet warm ups?

Michael Heather — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 09:35:26 GMT

In most of California, you can warm up with the same equipment as you compete in. Suit, cap, goggles. Nothing else is allowed for the safety and consideration of other swimmers. Even if there is only one person per lane. 102.4.2 allows the LMSC to set stricter regulations, and many have gone with the same rules as nationals. If you need paddles, fins or a snorkel to warm up for a meet, you have been trained wrong.