In an effort to keep this page reasonably easy to scan, we have now created an "Archive" page for all the news items from before January 1, 2016 - click here to go to the Archive page.
2025 News
1/3/2025 - New Year
2025 is a new year for all. Swimmers are looking at making those cuts for the upcoming FLAGs and Senior Champs. Sectionals are just around the corner. FL Open Water Championship is waiting for the water to warm up a little. There are a lot of swim meets between now and Championship season. Now tons of swimmers are ready to start swimming in the new year.
Are you ready! I know a lot of us have taken the needed steps to be ready and current for this 2025. Please check three things: (1) is your membership good through 12/31/2025, (2) your membership is in Good Standing, and (3) is your certifications are current.
- You can check your membership by signing onto your USASwimming.org account or looking into your USASwimming App.
- Membership must Good Standing
- To check your certification status, you need to log into your USASwimming.org account.
- Click on Officials on the top right side of the screen. Then select My Official Historyand you will be shown your certifications.
- Certifications must be current, not expired.
If you find that your certifications have expired, please go to this link to find out what is needed to re-new your certifications. CLICK HERE If you feel you have completed the requirements for re-certification, please reach out to Gary Sanderson.
Florida Swimming is asking all Meet Referees to have everyone show their USA Swimming App Membership card (not a screen shot) prior to allowing anyone to work on deck. So, please have this App loaded and ready upon your arrival at swim meets. Memberships need to be in Good Standing to be allowed to be on deck. Meet Referees are going to need to run an OTS report prior to the meet so they have a working list of everyone’s current certifications and expiration dates. If an Officials certification(s) are not current, they should not be allowed to work on deck.
Upcoming, Florida Swimming is starting our Spring Championship season in March. Please look for the meets information to be posted on the LSC website shortly. If you can Officiate at one of the meets, please complete the Application to Officiate for each meet well in advance. Also, if you are looking for a National Evaluation at one of these meets, you will need to complete the Application as well. Meets we have coming up include:
- South Zones Spring Sectionals, Plantation, 2/12-16/25
- FLAGS North, Ocala, 3/6-9/25
- FLAGS South, Sarasota, 3/6-9/25
- Senior Champs, Orlando, 3/13-16/25
- FL Open Water Championships, Ft. Myers Beach, 4/6/25
Looking forward to another great swimming year.
-Gary Sanderson, Florida Swimming Official’s Chair
2024 News
10/17/2024 - Referee's Meeting Recording
This meeting we talking about the responsibilities of a Meet Referee and what requirements there are for Official/Apprenticer to be able to work on a deck. The bulk of the meeting is 30 min. Rest of the meeting is just open question and answers. Click on the link to access the recording. Do not forget the passcode. CLICK LINK HERE. Passcode is gt5s%5HK
10/3/2024 - Rule Books
Make sure that you order your 2025 Rule Books prior to 12/1/2024. They will be mailed to your location. If you do not request a copy you will not receive a copy. This is one of the benifits of your USA Swimming Membership.
The link to request a USA Swimming 2025 Rulebook: is below: https://fs22.formsite.com/usaswimming/r0h6vp8y52/index
Please complete this order form no later than Monday, December 2, 2024 to request a FREE copy. After this date, they may be purchased through SwimOutlet.
10/1/20204 - Official Clinics On-line
Effective on 10/1/2024, Certification clinics for Starter and Administrative Official is now on-line. There is no more in person clinics for Stroke & Turn, Starter and Admin Official. When you complete one of these clinics, please email the Officials Chair or Assistant. We will then be able to add your apprentice certification to your OTS record.
10/1/2024 - 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship Officials Application
Below is the link for the application to serve as an official during the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. The deadline is 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday, Oct. 7, for submitting the application and passing the rules test (swimming officials only). CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION
NEW FOR 2025 - All championships swimming/diving officials will be required to consent to and pass a background check, and watch the sports-wagering eligibility video on the RefQuest platform. Further details will be provided to all invited officials at a later point.
9/9/2024 - Official Recertification
Most Officials in Florida Swimming Official Certifications are going to expire on 12/31/2024. The recertification process has been changed by USA Swimming. There is no longer a need for the recertification clinics of the past. The new process is outlined on the Officials page on our webpage. Please take the time to review the requirements. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Area Rep, Quinn Sampson or Gary Sanderson.
9/9/2024 - Certification Clinics Online
By early 2025, all certification clinics will be online through USA Swimming. Currently, there are only two on there now. 1)Foundations of Officiating, this is a good course for all to take and only takes about 30 min, 2) Stroke and Turn Judge Clinic as assessment, this course is well put together and is a good review, even for the experienced Official.
On 10/1/2024, both Starter and Administration Official Clinic is going to be online through USA Swimming.
Referee Clinic is scheduled to release sometime early 2025.
Now with Clinics being online, you do not have to try to find someone to give you a clinic, you can just sit in your chair at home and attend the clinic on your time. When you complete a clinic, please let Quinn Sampson or Gary Sanderson know so we can issue you an apprentice certification (if pre-requisites have been met).
9/7/2024 - USA Swimming Membership Renewal
Remember that all USA Swimming memberships expire on 12/31/2024. In order to continue to officiate you have to maintain your membership in good standing. You can log onto your USASwimming.org account and update your membership now and you will be covered till 12/31/2025.
Florida Swimming is offering reimbursement to officials for their cost of renewing their 2025 membership. To receive this reimbursement, you have had to worked 8 sessions at Florida Swimming Sanctioned meets since the start of 2024. High School, College, Approved and Observed meets do not count toward the 8 sessions.
If your Club pays for your membership they will submit for the reimbursement. If you paid for your own membership, please complete this form (LINK HERE) and include your receipt showing payment.
Please allow the Florida Swimming Office 15-20 working days to process your request.
08/29/2024 - Links to Hot August Nights:
Three nights in August USA Swimming has hosted an Admin educational sessions. These events are recorded so you can view at your leasure.
Recordings of the sessions can be found below.
Hot August Nights: Admin 101
Passcode: $Admin101
Hot August Nights: Hy-Tek Meet Manager
Passcode: HyTek101!
Here is a link to the Meet Manager Handbook that is talked about in this recording (CLICK HERE)
Here is a copy of the demo MeetManager to practice with, this is not full featured. (CLICK HERE)
Hot August Nights: Championship Admin Referee
Passcode: 24ChampAR!
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