South Hampton Hurricanes

What is the volunteer commitment?
Volunteers are critical to the success of running our meets smoothly - and it takes a village - or more precisely, it takes between 50-60 parent volunteers to run each meet, in addition to the coaches and staff!

Enrolling in the program means that you agree to volunteer. You have a variety of positions to choose from and we'll provide all the guidance you need! Volunteering is a great way to directly engage with your swimmers.

It's an all-volunteer effort, and there is always something more that can be done. Consider becoming a starter or stroke & turn official. The officiating is all volunteer, and it always helps to have more people trained to step in when others have scheduling conflicts for a meet. You may also enjoy the meet more when you know the rules well, in addition to being able to help in your child's swimming development. Some positions such as Timers and Stroke & Turn Officials have a front row seat to the swimming events and will have an unlimited supply of cold water brought to them throughout the meet.

Home & Away Volunteer Assignments

• Ready Bench (2 Shifts, 2 Adults Per Shift)
  • These volunteers lineup swimmers for their events and get them ready to race.
• Team Area Parent (2 Shifts, 2 Per Shift)
  • These volunteers works with the Ready Bench, gathering swimmers missing from the Ready Bench Area, grabbing missing swim caps and goggles, aiding in the South Hampton Hurricanes Tent City as needed.
• Stroke and Turn Officials (2 Shifts, 2 Per Shift)
  • Training is done through the league online. These volunteers must have completed a clinic and have a badge. They observe swimmers in their jurisdiction and record any stroke-and-turn infractions, which may result in swimmers being disqualified from events.
• Timer (6 Shifts, 6 Per Shift)
  • These volunteers time swimmers during events. We will be going over this job during the mock meet.

Home Volunteer Assignments

• Head Meet Official (HMO) (1 Shift, 1 Per Meet)
  • This volunteer must have completed a clinic and have a badge. The HMO runs home meets and resolves all disputes. Prior to the meet, the HMO runs the briefings for timers and stroke-and-turn officials. He/she assigns officials to watch for early take-offs during relays. During the meet, the HMO reviews all DQ slips, signs, approves, and submits them to the computer operators.
  • In the case of a false start, the starter and HMO determine when to re-run a heat and inform computer operators. The HMO knows the weather policy and has the authority to suspend or stop a meet due to weather conditions.
• Clerk of Course (2 Shifts, 1 Per Shift)
  • The Clerk of Course is the heart of the swim meet. This is the person that runs the Ready Bench/Clerk of Course and helps to place swimmers in the correct heat. This person will be notified of all scratches prior to the start of the swim meet.
• Computer Operator (1 Shift, 2 Per Meet)
  • These volunteers must have completed a clinic. They prepare meet documents/heat sheets prior to the meet; enter times and DQs during the meet; and post results following the meet.
• Starter/Announcer (1 Shift, 1 Per Meet)
  • The Announcer calls out the upcoming events to alert swimmers of their event and also makes general announcements. This volunteer must have completed a clinic and have a badge. They announce each event; start the races; monitor false starts; and keep the meet flowing according to schedule. They must be able to consistently start races and identify starting issues on the blocks.
• DQ Card Runner (2 Shifts, 1 Per Shift)
  • These volunteers pick up DQ slips from stroke-and-turn officials and delivers them to the HMO.
• Head Timer (1 Shift, 1 Per Meet)
  • This volunteer serves as a back-up timer if any timer’s watch fails. This volunteer starts his/her watches for every race.
• Ribbons (2 Shifts, 1 Per Shift)
  • This volunteer presents the fastest swimmer with a ribbon at the end of each heat.
• Concession Stand (2 Shifts, 2 Per Shift)
  • These volunteers sell food and beverages .Responsible for cash, set-up and break down. Arrange pick-up from outside vendors (Chick Fil-A, Dunkin Donuts, etc.)
• Alternate Volunteer (2 Shifts, 2 Per Shift)
  • These volunteers work with the Volunteer Coordinator to plug any volunteer holes in the meet.
• HHS Cleanup Crew (1 Shifts, 4 Per Shift)
  • As a meet is winding down, these volunteers will start the process of cleaning up the facilities. Tasks include meet supplies put away, putting furniture back, removing starting blocks, all trash cans emptied, relined and trash in dumpsters, furniture put away, bathrooms neatened up, bathroom floors mopped, forgotten swimmers’ items gathered and moved to team closet. The South Hampton Hurricanes leave the pool area cleaner than we found it.