Skip to content
- You will get wet. Roll up your pants, wear deck shoes (or go barefoot), and go with it.
- Our home pool deck is HOT. Instead of jeans and sweatshirts, think shorts, thin Tshirts, etc. Bring water. When in doubt, refer to rule 1.
- Watch the starter at the beginning of a race. The starting command is “Take your mark”, followed by a either an electronic signal, whistle, or voice command. Most electronic starting devices, will also have a visual signal. Depending on how far away you are standing, there may be a delay between the light and the sound reaching you. For this reason, it is most fair to all swimmers to start your watch by the light if one exists.
- When your swimmer approaches the wall, get close and make sure you can see the plane of the wall so you have a good view of the touch. (Pesky rule 1 again…)
- Try not to anticipate the finish. Swimmers sometimes take an extra stroke, glide in, etc.
- On the finish, stop the watch as soon as any body part contacts any part of the end of the pool. (wall, gutter, touchpad, deck – doesn’t matter). If the touch isn’t legal, it’s the official’s problem.
- If you miss a start, or your watch misfires, etc, raise your hand high as soon as you realize. The backup timer will come to your lane and act as the second timer for the heat.
- If the next swimmer is in your way of seeing the finish, politely ask them to let you in.
- It’s okay to cheer for your swimmers while timing if you like.
