Dam West Dolphins

All MHSL teams must have adult volunteers on their teams to serve as Meet Referee/Deck Referee/Starters and Stroke & Turn Judges. In order to function smoothly, we need to have four  Meet Referee/Deck Referee/Starters and six Stroke & Turn Judges. If we have less than that we run the risk of not being able to participate in meets, and so we are actively recruiting for these positions.

These are important positions and as such they require training to become certified. In addition, in order to serve as a Meet Referee/Deck Referee/Starter, you must have at least one season of experience as a Stroke & Turn Judge.

Therefore, we would like to encourage all parents (guardians, grandparents, etc.) to attend one Stroke & Turn Judge training session. Attending the training does not obligate you to serve as a Stroke & Turn Judge, but it is the only way to get a sense of what it’s all about. It may sound intimidating, but in all honesty, it’s really quite easy!  But, you won’t be able to decide that for yourself unless you attend a training session.

Even if you decide that Stroke & Turn Judging isn’t for you, attending the training will give you a more comprehensive understanding of what swim meets are all about. Have you ever wondered, what constitutes an acceptable stroke? What happens if my swimmer doesn’t do a flip turn? When is a one hand touch acceptable? These are the kinds of things you’ll learn if you attend one of these training sessions.

This clinic is specifically for NEW Stroke & Turn judges as well as any existing S&T judge or trainer needing to re-certify. When you sign-up, please make sure to indicate the number of years you have been certified in this position. If you are new to S&T, please indicate 0-years.

SIGN-UP AT:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aa5a82ca1fbc34-stroke1#/

The Starter clinics are for new and recertifying MHSL Starters.

The clinics this year will be taught at the practice facility for two USA Swimming clubs so that at the end of each clinic, new Starters will have a chance to do some starts with real swimmers. The last 15 minutes of each clinic will be set aside for that activity.

For those who are recertifying, please enter the number of years you have been a certified MHSL Starter in the Years of Experience slot when you register for the clinic. For those who are new, please enter a “0” in that slot. 

SIGN-UP AT:   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aa5a82ca1fbc34-starters#/

The New Referee/Trainer clinics are for new MHSL Referees and those individuals wishing to retain their MHSL Trainer certification.

Recertifying Deck and Meet Referees are welcome to attend. There are some new officiating rules that everyone needs to be aware of. We will also be working through some exercises. For example, how to set a balanced deck given the challenges for disparate knowledge levels of our MHSL Officials; or how to explain the rotation process for having 3 S&T Judges from each club on the deck this year instead of just 2 as required in previous years.

Please bring your updated Meet Referee book with you to the clinic. All the updated materials can be found on the MHSL website.

For recertifying Referees or Trainers, please enter the number of years you have been a Referee or a Trainer in the Years of Experience slot when you sign up for the clinic. For new Referees, please enter a “0” in that slot.

Note: We will NOT be showing the S&T Judge videos during the clinic. If you need a refresher on those rules, please watch them on your own. They are available on the MHSL website.   

SIGN-UP AT:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aa5a82ca1fbc34-newreftrainers#/

Rachel Langberg (2023)

Officials Chair - Mountain High Swim League 

[email protected]

Cell: 919-809-2426