The 2014 Open Water Swimming season is fast approaching so we want to make you aware of forthcoming opportunities for current or potential open water officials across the south west:-
ASA Contemporary Issues Module (in conjunction with Somerset ASA)
Wednesday 13 May – 7.00 pm at Shepton Mallet, Somerset
For qualified and licensed open water officials who are planning to renew their licence within the next four years this is a mandatory module for re-licensing. If you are also a qualified and licensed pool official you may already have done this; if not this is an excellent opportunity to get it done.
No Charge.
(Somerset officials – please note Somerset ASA will pay your fee for licencing and re-licencing both for open water and for pool licences.)
British Swimming Open Water Judge Level 1 Course
Saturday 17 May – 10.00 am at Honiton, Devon
For any one interested in becoming an Open Water official. This is a full day course and covers all aspects of the Judge Level 1 curriculum including some practical aspects of timekeeping, judging finishes and use of radios.
Fee – £10.00 per person
(Current OW officials – please pass on to any one you think or know may be interested in joining us)
ASA South West Region OW Officials’ Development Course
Saturday 31 May & Sunday 1 June – 9.00 am at Sea Cadet Training Centre, Weymouth, Dorset
This two day course is intended as further development for any trainees or qualified OW officials. In addition to classroom tutorials on the wider aspects of OW swimming, there are practical sessions in boats, on the beach and in a pool, working alongside the ASW SW regional OW swimmers’ development course running over the same weekend.
Fee – £60.00 per person including lunches
British Swimming Open Water FINA Rules Update Module
Saturday 31 May – 9.00 am at Sea Cadet Training Centre, Weymouth, Dorset.
Again this is a mandatory module for Open Water officials seeking to re-licence but is also important for all current officials to learn of the recent rule changes (different to those relevant to pool swimming) introduced for our discipline of the sport by FINA in 2013. All officials should be aware of these changes before we start the 2014 open water swimming season.
The plan is to include this as the first session of our Development Course running at the same time.
ASA South West Region Open Water Swimming Championships
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June – Preston Beach, Weymouth, Dorset
This weekend is a highlight of the ASA SW year – their own open water swimming events.
These are open to any ASA registered swimmers and include a 10km event on the Saturday in addition to events at 5 km, 3km, 2km and 1500m on the Sunday as well as a “taster” event for younger swimmers at 750m. Swimmers and officials are welcome from right across the country and there is a special class in the 10km swim for swimmers who wish to wear wetsuits.
Naturally, we will be hoping for as many of you as possible to volunteer to help at these Championships either as an official or in some other capacity – there are plenty of jobs to be done!
Further details of the Judge Level 1 Course, the Development Course and our Championships are on the ASA South West Region website.
If you are interested in any or all of the events above, please contact arwithers@aol.com as soon as possible.