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 regattas'. The RCC’s Mooney’s Bay racecourse is the only 1000 m racecourse in the Eastern Ontario Division (EOD). For that reason EOD’s qualifications for Nationals are run at the Club as well as the EOD Championships (U14) is another EOD regatta that is usually run at the Club.
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. If you prefer to focus on watching your athletes race in their regattas, there are lots of opportunities available to volunteer to support the regattas for other age groups; the schedule is provided below.
This information page is designed to provide parents with a clear understanding of the volunteer roles involved, helping you feel confident in your ability to fulfill these duties. Additionally, volunteering presents a valuable opportunity for high school students to achieve the volunteer hours required for graduation. Descriptions of the many volunteer positions are provided below.
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 regattas'. The RCC’s Mooney’s Bay racecourse is the only 1000 m racecourse in the Eastern Ontario Division (EOD). For that reason EOD’s qualifications for Nationals are run at the Club as well as the EOD Championships (U14) is another EOD regatta that is usually run at the Club.
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. If you prefer to focus on watching your athletes race in their regattas, there are lots of opportunities available to volunteer to support the regattas for other age groups; the schedule is provided below.
This information page is designed to provide parents with a clear understanding of the volunteer roles involved, helping you feel confident in your ability to fulfill these duties. Additionally, volunteering presents a valuable opportunity for high school students to achieve the volunteer hours required for graduation. Descriptions of the many volunteer positions are provided below.
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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 at the beginning of the season. Come join other parents and learn about our sport with the button below.
Boating License Course
Each year we offer on water motorboat training at the beginning of the season. You need to have your boat license before getting on the water. Getting your boat license online is easy, 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.
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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
Get the chance to experience the regatta at an athlete’s level on the water. Boat drivers are provided with health breaks and a cooler of drinks and snacks. Life jackets are provided and shifts are for the morning or the afternoon.
- 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
If you don’t feel confident driving a boat but want to be on the water, help out as a spotter. You will get health breaks and a cooler with drinks and snacks. Life jackets are provided and shifts are for the morning or the afternoon.
- 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
Witness the finish line drama for every race and get to know the procedures and the officials working in the tower!
- 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
Make sure all athletes get on the record when they achieve their new personal best and get access to the process and the officials working in the tower.
- 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
See the big picture and get those results tracked for athletes and their anxious fans! Work closely with the Chief Official in the tower.
- 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
It’s your time to shine and keep athletes and spectators up to date on all the action! Great opportunity to be in the middle of the action behind the scenes and keep the regatta moving.
- 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
Another great opportunity to learn how a regatta is run and see the role of the starter and the other on-water officials. A cooler with drinks and snacks is provided and the boat drivers will help you get to and from the clubhouse if you need a health break. Shifts are for morning or afternoon.
- 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
Nothing beats a live action shot - support the line judges and officials for those critical moments when it was too close to call! Get to know the officials and better understand the tower roles during the regatta.
- 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
Get a prime position to see those smiling faces of the athletes on the podium. Work with officials and the announcer to award the fastest times.
- This person(s) is responsible for ensuring the awards (medals, ribbons) are available for the presenters during the awards ceremony, or distributing directly to the winning crew.
results runners
A chance to be the critical link between the official results in the tower and those athletes, coaches and spectators waiting on the final call. Connect with the awards coordinator and keep presentations on track.
- Responsible to obtain results & advancements from the Results official and post them on the designated results boards/site and to get them to the awards coordinator.
boat control assistant
Help keep everyone on track so their times can be made official and get the chance to be at the dock level with a clear view of the finish line.
- 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.
Greeter/ host
Help all of our volunteers get where they need to be and meet everyone who comes out to support the regatta. Variety of duties including:
- Checking in volunteers and reminding them to update their registration status or other administrative details.
- Selling of race cards.
- Setting out beverages/snacks for the volunteers.
- Helping canteen volunteers to 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 10, 2025: Spring Clean Up
May 31- June 1, 2025: O-Cup Ontario Team Trials June 20-22, 2025: Tim Horton's Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival July 13, 2025: RCC U16/Open/Para and Special O Regatta July 19, 2025: RCC Masters Regatta July 26-27, 2025: Eastern Ontario Division U16+ Qualifiers August 16-17, 2025: Master Indigenious Games August 23, 2025: RCC Dragon Boat Regatta October 5, 2025: O Cup - Long Distance Regatta October 2025: Fall Clean Up |
We are always looking for feedback to make your club a better place so please contact us at [email protected] if you have any ideas or suggestions.
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We Depend on Volunteers to Help Run the Club and Host Events!
In order to help distribute the responsibilities fairly throughout the club membership, and to get to know the other great RCC members, 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 and support our athletes. Participation, knowledge and experience are all valuable tools that make regattas and events enjoyable for everyone. If you are just getting to know the sport, volunteering in a supporting role is an excellent opportunity to see first-hand what the athlete experience is like at a regatta and to prepare yourself for jumping into a more technical volunteer role. Volunteering at Rideau means helping out our community, giving our athletes the chance to compete at regattas, while enjoying the beautiful view and fresh air along the Rideau River. You'll get refreshments a delicious lunch at the Mike Scott Lounge. It's a fun way to give back and be part of something special. |
Thank you to Canoe Kayak Western Ontario Division (WOD) for the volunteer and volunteer position description information.