VOLUNTEERING
VOLUNTEERING AT THE RCC
The Rideau Canoe Club is a not-for-profit, volunteer driven organization that has a proud history of providing enriched competitive canoe/kayak programs that include hosting local, regional, provincial, national and international competitions. The success of our club has always depended on the quality of member participation. Offering the best experience possible for our members requires every member in our organization to contribute to our cause.
One of the great and distinguishing features of our sport is that it is an all-volunteer sport. Everyone who is working in a regatta is doing so on their own time. In order for the race organizers (club, division, province & nationally) to conduct a safe & fair competition – we are totally reliant on volunteers.
Your kids work & train hard for weeks & months to prepare for these competitions – and it is important for all parents to be prepared to support your kids by participating in the conduct of our regatta’s.
Regattas have the greatest need for volunteers. When you register for the sprint program, you have agreed to the Regatta Volunteer policy, which helps us ensure that we have enough volunteers to run our regattas safely. It takes 50+ volunteers to run a full-day regatta. Descriptions of the many volunteer positions are provided below.
This info page is designed to help parents understand the roles involved – so that you can feel comfortable about your ability to do the required duties. Finally – this is a great opportunity for high school students to obtain their volunteer hours required for graduation.
The Rideau Canoe Club is a not-for-profit, volunteer driven organization that has a proud history of providing enriched competitive canoe/kayak programs that include hosting local, regional, provincial, national and international competitions. The success of our club has always depended on the quality of member participation. Offering the best experience possible for our members requires every member in our organization to contribute to our cause.
One of the great and distinguishing features of our sport is that it is an all-volunteer sport. Everyone who is working in a regatta is doing so on their own time. In order for the race organizers (club, division, province & nationally) to conduct a safe & fair competition – we are totally reliant on volunteers.
Your kids work & train hard for weeks & months to prepare for these competitions – and it is important for all parents to be prepared to support your kids by participating in the conduct of our regatta’s.
Regattas have the greatest need for volunteers. When you register for the sprint program, you have agreed to the Regatta Volunteer policy, which helps us ensure that we have enough volunteers to run our regattas safely. It takes 50+ volunteers to run a full-day regatta. Descriptions of the many volunteer positions are provided below.
This info page is designed to help parents understand the roles involved – so that you can feel comfortable about your ability to do the required duties. Finally – this is a great opportunity for high school students to obtain their volunteer hours required for graduation.
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Officials' Training
There are many of specialized roles that require certification; We encourage all parents to achieve a basic certification – which will enable you to participate in key support roles in a competition (Starters Assistant, Boat Control Assistants, Timers, Announcer, Results Management, Finish Line Judges, Video Operator, etc); Interested persons can then seek additional certification in the following positions: Chief Official, Chief Finish Line Judge, Competition Secretary, Finish Line Judges, Timer, Boat Controller, Starter, Referees. We offer free official training. Come join other parents and learn about our sport. Boating License Course
Each year we offer on water motorboat training. Getting your boat license online is easy, simply click the button below and complete the online course. Motorboat drivers can either drive officials during events or provide rescue or assistance to our athletes. |
Volunteer Positions
Below is a brief summary & description of key volunteer positions required at a typical regatta:
Below is a brief summary & description of key volunteer positions required at a typical regatta:
boat drivers
- Safety Boats – Operate boats on the fringe of the course; when a boat tips, drive the boat to the paddlers for rescue; maneuver boat to pick up paddlers, and secure equipment (boat, paddles, blocks, seat pads etc).
- Referee Boats – Follow down the lanes behind the racers to allow the Referees to monitor each race.
- Starter’s Boat – operate the boat so the Starter can get the racers lined up properly for the start of each race.
All boat operators must have a Boat Operators License.
spotters
- Keep an eye on the racers and alert driver to paddlers who have fallen out of their boats.
- Assist paddler to board a safety boat.
- Pick up paddles and blocks as necessary.
- Secure race boat for return trip to shore.
finish line judges
- Responsible for writing down the finish order of the racers. The racers each have a lane number marker on their boats. As they cross the finish line, the judges simply write down the lane number in the order of the finish. The finish line judges must agree on the finish order. In the event of a disagreement, the judges refer to the video replay.
timekeepers
- Time keepers operate the manual timing device. The timekeepers will get the start of the race from the Starter and then mark the race times as the racers come across the finish line. The timing device will print out a list of the race times which the timekeepers hand to the Chief Official.
results management
- Must be comfortable working with Microsoft Excel. The results person gets the race times from the Chief Official and enters the times into a spreadsheet provided.
- Second person may be used to calculate Burgee points.
announcer
- Responsible for using the PA system to inform spectators of the race on the course plus the names and lanes of the racers.
- Will make general announcements such as calling coaches to the judges stand, lost & found, food services etc.
assistant starter
- Provide assistance to the Starter as requested.
- Identify the boats for upcoming races.
- Communicate any scratches etc. to tower.
- Hold 2-way radio for starter.
video operators
- Responsible for operating the video replay computer. The computer is connected to a tripod video camera, and has recording/playback capabilities via the installed software.
awards coordinator
- This person(s) would be responsible for ensuring the awards (medals, snowballs) are available for the presenters during the awards ceremony, or distributing directly to the winning crew.
results runners
- Responsible to obtain results & advancements from the Results official and post them on the designated results boards.
boat control assistant
- Working with the boat control official, this person assists as required: placing numbers on magnetic board, marshalling the paddlers into the B/C tent, holding deck #’s, providing water to athlete’s etc.
info tent host
- Variety of duties including:
- Checking in volunteers.
- Selling of race cards.
- Provide Tower officials with beverages/snacks.
- Helping set up officials’ lunch.
- Helping out the results runner & awards coordinator.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many areas where you can lend a helping hand. We need your help to make our athletes events function properly. It is a great way to meet people and have fun.
There are many areas where you can lend a helping hand. We need your help to make our athletes events function properly. It is a great way to meet people and have fun.
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May 13 2023: Spring Clean Up
June 3-4 2023: Ontario Team Trials June 22-25 2023: Tim Horton's Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival June 30-July 012023: Canada Cup - East July 16 2023: RCC U16/Open/Para and Special O Regatta July 29-30 2023: EOD U16+ National Qualifiers August 19 2023: RCC Dragon Boat Regatta October 01 2023: Ocup - Long Distance Regatta October 2023: Club Cleanup and Racecourse Takedown October 2023: Awards Banquet December 2023: Christmas Party |
We are always looking for feedback to make your club a better place so please contact us at volunteer@rideaucanoeclub.ca if you have any ideas or suggestions.
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We Depend on Volunteers to help run the club and our hosted events!
In order to help distribute the responsibilities fairly throughout the club membership, we encourage you to come participate at our club events as a volunteer. Our aim is to build a strong team of members who possess a thorough understanding of what it takes to make our sporting events happen. Participation, knowledge and experience are all valuable tools that make regattas and events enjoyable for everyone. Volunteering at Rideau is a lot of fun, plus you get refreshments during the events you participate at and a volunteer t-shirt for the season! If you volunteer all day, you are invited to enjoy the fresh and delicious officials lunch in the Mike Scott Lounge! |
Thank you to Canoe Kayak Western Ontario Division (WOD) for the volunteer and volunteer position description information.