Swim meets simply can't happen without officials.

Every race, from a swimmer's first 25-metre event to a national-level competition, depends on trained officials to make sure competition is fair, safe, consistent and run according to the rules.

When you become a swim official, you're not just filling a volunteer position. You're becoming part of your swimmer's sport.

You learn how meets work, support your swimmer from the pool deck and help create the competitions that give every athlete an opportunity to race.

At Breakers, we encourage families to get involved in officiating because it's one of the most valuable ways you can support the team.

Swim Meets Run 100% on Volunteers

From officials and timers to meet setup, hospitality, scoring and awards, it takes a team of volunteers to make each competition happen.

Our coaches focus on coaching and supporting our swimmers, while our parent volunteers and officials work together to make sure the meet runs safely, fairly and smoothly. When you volunteer, you're helping create the opportunity for your swimmer, and hundreds of other swimmers, to compete.

Every role matters. Every volunteer makes a difference.

Why Become an Official?

Support Your Swimmer

Get closer to the action and gain a better understanding of the sport your swimmer loves. You'll learn how meets work and develop a greater appreciation for everything that happens behind the scenes.

Help Make Meets Possible

Swim meets require a large team of officials and volunteers. Having trained officials helps Breakers participate in and host quality competitions for our swimmers.

Learn Something New

You don't need to know the rules before you start. The officials pathway is designed to help you learn gradually, gain experience and take on new roles as your skills develop.

Keep Growing

Swimming Canada has five levels of officials certification. You can start with no previous experience and progress as far as you choose — from helping at local meets to working at provincial, national and international competitions.

Join the Swimming Community

Officials work as a team. Experienced officials help new officials learn, and developing officials have opportunities to take on new responsibilities, build leadership skills and mentor others.

How Do I Get Started?

Level I — Red Pin

​​​​​​​To become a Level I official, you must:

• Register as an official through Swimming Canada's Registration and Events Management System (REMS)
• Complete the Introduction to Swimming Officiating Clinic
• Complete the Safety Marshal Clinic

These requirements can be completed in any order.

What Can I Do as a Level I Official?

Level I is all about learning how a swim meet works. You can begin by volunteering in roles such as:

• Timekeeper
• Runner
• Marshal
• Awards
• Hospitality
• Meet setup and takedown
• Other entry-level meet support positions

No previous officiating experience is required.

Start with a clinic, work a session and learn as you go.

The Officials Pathway

Once you've started officiating, you can continue developing your skills through Swimming Canada's five-level certification pathway.

Level I — Red Pin

Getting Started

Learn the basics of officiating and gain experience in entry-level meet roles.
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Level II — White Pin

Building Your Skills

Complete additional training and deck evaluations in technical officiating positions.

Level III — Orange Pin

Developing as an Official

Build experience across additional technical positions and begin taking on greater responsibility on deck.

Level IV — Green Pin

Leadership & Refereeing

Develop senior officiating skills, including refereeing, leadership, communication and mentoring.
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Level V — Blue Pin

Master Official

The highest level of Swimming Canada domestic officials certification. Level V officials are leaders who help mentor and develop the next generation of officials.

How Far Can You Take It?

You don't have to decide when you start how far you want to go.

Start → Learn → Volunteer → Get Certified → Gain Experience → Take on New Roles → Mentor Others

Some parents may simply want to help at local meets a few times each season. Others discover a passion for officiating and progress through the entire pathway.

There is no wrong level of involvement.

Every Official Makes a Difference

Whether you're holding a stopwatch for the first time or eventually standing on deck as a Referee, your contribution matters.

Officials help create competitions where swimmers can:

• Race fairly
• Race safely
• Receive accurate results
• Achieve qualifying times
• Learn from competition
• Progress through the sport
• Chase their goals

And perhaps most importantly, your swimmer gets to see you contributing to something they care about.

Our Goal at Breakers

We want officiating to become a normal and positive part of being a Breakers swim family.

Our goal isn't for every parent to become a Level V official.

Our goal is for every family to see officiating as an opportunity — not just an obligation.

Start with one clinic.
Work one session.
Learn one new position.

Then decide where you want to go from there.

Every Official Starts Somewhere.

For current clinic information, certification requirements and officials resources, visit Swimming Canada.
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VIEW SWIMMING CANADA OFFICIALS RESOURCES