Hi Everyone,

An extremely important part of competitive swimming is the officiating. The officials are trained, certified volunteers who guide the meet, and make sure the swimmers are doing strokes "legally". This helps the swimmers to learn from their mistakes, and to run a fair meet. Our team has generally been well represented in the swimming community in this regard. However - swimmers grow up and move on ... as do their parents!
So, we are looking for the "next generation" so to speak. Remember - you are at these meets anyway, and this does fulfill your volunteer commitments for WWRX.

Lisa Demers is one of our officials, and one of the WWRX board members. Her words of advice:

Interested participants need to attend one Connecticut Swimming Stroke and Turn Clinic. There is one scheduled for September 30 in Wethersfield (this is a close as they get – most are done the southern part of the state). Upon completion of the 4 hour Clinic a new official has to take an online (open book) USA Swimming test. They will also need to attend and train on deck for 4 sessions at a USS Certified meet. Once this is all completed, they become an Official Official.

I would encourage anyone interested to sign up for the Wethersfield Stroke and Turn Clinic as this will give them time to complete the on-line test and then be ready to be on deck to train at the first meet in November.

It is much more exciting being on deck than sitting in the stands for 4-6 hours (and always free food and beverages). I always feel like it is an easy way to give back to the team and the swimmers. It is very rewarding.

If anyone has an interest and needs more information, have them call me either at the below number at work or on my cell phone at (860) 604-6125.

I hope we can get at least a couple of new officials. That would be GREAT!

Lisa Demers
email: LDEMERS@travelers.com