Volunteering at a Local Triathlon
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2016-06-05 6:04 PM |
197 | Subject: Volunteering at a Local Triathlon This morning my daughter and I went to a local tri (sprint and olympic courses) and helped pass out water and finisher medals. It was a great learning experience since I have yet to do a triathlon. I was able to watch the wave start of the swim, the athletes leaving the water and heading to T1, and most importantly to me, what a few of them were doing at T1. I have a better understanding of what needs to happen at the first transition. I would recommend volunteering at a local tri before actually doing one if you have any concerns as to how they work. I can see myself volunteering for more of them to come, as it's fun to help out and be around a bunch of others that enjoy the sport. J White |
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2016-06-06 7:06 AM in reply to: Jwse30 |
Extreme Veteran 1018 | Subject: RE: Volunteering at a Local Triathlon I have a hometown rule. If there is a local race within my area, I always volunteer at it. I race out of town. Volunteers are what makes a race successful. Pamper those racing in your town in hopes to grow the race. |
2016-06-06 8:27 AM in reply to: Jwse30 |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: Volunteering at a Local Triathlon Originally posted by Jwse30 This morning my daughter and I went to a local tri (sprint and olympic courses) and helped pass out water and finisher medals. It was a great learning experience since I have yet to do a triathlon. I was able to watch the wave start of the swim, the athletes leaving the water and heading to T1, and most importantly to me, what a few of them were doing at T1. I have a better understanding of what needs to happen at the first transition. I would recommend volunteering at a local tri before actually doing one if you have any concerns as to how they work. I can see myself volunteering for more of them to come, as it's fun to help out and be around a bunch of others that enjoy the sport. J White
Good for you giving back to the sport! I really enjoy volunteering and try to work at 3-4 events per year. You not only learn a lot by watching, but it's always inspiring to me. Many folks don't realize how much work goes on behind the scenes to run a successful race. That's why I try to thank as many volunteers as I can when I do a race. I'm also taking another step and am in the process of getting certified as a US Swimming Stroke and Turn judge. I mostly doing it so I can help officiate at age group meets held at my pool, but also at Masters meets and possibly high school meets. Mark
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2016-06-06 10:21 AM in reply to: RedCorvette |
Extreme Veteran 660 | Subject: RE: Volunteering at a Local Triathlon I think you should Volunteer at least once a year. I personally like to be a on the run course because you can interact with the particpants.I Volunteer before I raced and saw the crazyness of a tri and just had to do it. |
2016-06-06 10:51 AM in reply to: Jwse30 |
Pro 6582 Melbourne FL | Subject: RE: Volunteering at a Local Triathlon Thanks for volunteering! I too volunteered yesterday, helped with cone setup and worked the finish line once it go rolling. Hot and humid and was a lot of hard work. Being the only male at the finish I made sure the cases of water were properly cycled in the 6 coolers we had filled with ice so that the finishers had cold water. Also snagged chips off competitors when I could. Man I was soaked with sweat! |
2016-06-06 12:55 PM in reply to: #5185426 |
197 | Subject: RE: Volunteering at a Local Triathlon Mark wrote: I'm also taking another step and am in the process of getting certified as a US Swimming Stroke and Turn judge. I mostly doing it so I can help officiate at age group meets held at my pool, but also at Masters meets and possibly high school meets. Mark Officiating a Masters meet is what got me interested in triathlon. If you attend many age group meets (such as having a child that is on the team), I think you will see that it is much better to be on deck than up in the stands. When I was doing the test portion of it, I printed off the test and brought it and an iPad to a meet. I was able to complere the test while I was waiting for my daughter's events. It worked out very well. One more piece of advice if you have an affiliation with an age group team: see which of the fees for you certification they will pay for. I think our club pays for everything after you pass the initial background check. I think they will reimburse us for that too (it has been a few years). I know the first year I paid for the card out of pocket, not knowing that they would have paid it for me. Hope this helps, J White |
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2016-06-06 1:25 PM in reply to: Jwse30 |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: Volunteering at a Local Triathlon Originally posted by Jwse30 Mark wrote: I'm also taking another step and am in the process of getting certified as a US Swimming Stroke and Turn judge. I mostly doing it so I can help officiate at age group meets held at my pool, but also at Masters meets and possibly high school meets. Mark Officiating a Masters meet is what got me interested in triathlon. If you attend many age group meets (such as having a child that is on the team), I think you will see that it is much better to be on deck than up in the stands. When I was doing the test portion of it, I printed off the test and brought it and an iPad to a meet. I was able to complere the test while I was waiting for my daughter's events. It worked out very well. One more piece of advice if you have an affiliation with an age group team: see which of the fees for you certification they will pay for. I think our club pays for everything after you pass the initial background check. I think they will reimburse us for that too (it has been a few years). I know the first year I paid for the card out of pocket, not knowing that they would have paid it for me. Hope this helps, J White
I don't have young kids anymore, but am doing it to help out the kid's team that's associated with our Masters group so they can start holding developmental meets at our home pool. I've volunteered as a timer at meets for years, and really enjoyed it, so I thought this would be a good next step. If nothing else, it will give me something more to do when I retire in a couple of years. Our regional guy already talked to me about the possibility of working both some Masters and high school meets later in the year. It seems they are always struggling to get a full complement of officials at meets. I've completed the online rules test, the Athlete Protection program, had my background check and am working on completing my 20 apprentice hours. Besides myself, there are nine other parents going through the process. The head coach offered financial assistance if needed, but I'm in the position to afford it, so no big deal. Looking forward to it! Mark
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2016-06-06 2:24 PM in reply to: RedCorvette |
Master 4452 | Subject: RE: Volunteering at a Local Triathlon Originally posted by RedCorvette Originally posted by Jwse30 This morning my daughter and I went to a local tri (sprint and olympic courses) and helped pass out water and finisher medals. It was a great learning experience since I have yet to do a triathlon. I was able to watch the wave start of the swim, the athletes leaving the water and heading to T1, and most importantly to me, what a few of them were doing at T1. I have a better understanding of what needs to happen at the first transition. I would recommend volunteering at a local tri before actually doing one if you have any concerns as to how they work. I can see myself volunteering for more of them to come, as it's fun to help out and be around a bunch of others that enjoy the sport. J White
Good for you giving back to the sport! I really enjoy volunteering and try to work at 3-4 events per year. You not only learn a lot by watching, but it's always inspiring to me. Many folks don't realize how much work goes on behind the scenes to run a successful race. That's why I try to thank as many volunteers as I can when I do a race. I'm also taking another step and am in the process of getting certified as a US Swimming Stroke and Turn judge. I mostly doing it so I can help officiate at age group meets held at my pool, but also at Masters meets and possibly high school meets. Mark
I enjoy volunteering as well, it is nice to be able to give back. Headed back to IMC to volunteer again this year. And I do my best to thank every volunteer I pass in races I do. We can't race without them. I find that when I am at that point in a race when I am hurting and hating every minute of it, thanking a volunteer always gives me a lift (why I don't know, but it works!). |
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