Page1 FORWARD Message from Chief Executive Officer Dear Officials, At the outset, I wish to thank you for your service to Sprint Canoe / Kayak Racing. Whether your aspirations and pursuits take you to events at the local, national and/or international level, we are grateful for your service to and passion for the sport. Simply said, Sprint Racing events are not possible without your commitment. As the focus on medal-winning performances continues to increase around the world and athletes to push themselves to new levels, standards for officiating are rising too. A clear and transparent process for developing Officials is critical to sustaining our progress. Finally, I hope your path within the sport yields outstanding life experiences, amazing friendships and a special connection to the Olympic movement like no other. On behalf of Board of Directors and Staff at USA Canoe/Kayak, thank you for your dedication to the sport. With gratitude, Joe Jacobi, CEO USA Canoe/Kayak
Page2 INTRODUCTION Thank you to Canoe Kayak Canada and in particular Judy Tutty, the former Chair of the CKC Officials Committee for her assistance in giving us the guidance in developing this Handbook. The Officials Handbook is for the use of USA Sprint Canoe/Kayak Officials. It is based on the USA Canoe Kayak Sprint Competition Rules and Regulations plus policy, procedures, roles and responsibilities for USA C/K Officials. The Handbook is intended to standardize the requirements, duties and responsibilities at all levels of officiating within USA Canoe Kayak. The aim is to build a team of proficient Officials for all levels of competition. The guidelines will be maintained and posted by the Sprint Officials Association (SOA). The SOA Board of Directors is elected by the Regular Members of the SOA annually at the National Championships. The three levels of certification within USA Canoe Kayak are matched to the demands of the local, National and International competitions. In this way, Officials are qualified at levels, which match their experience, ability and personal officiating goals. The Handbook is dedicated to all individuals who volunteer to serve as Officials giving their time, energy and expertise to ensure the fairest, safest possible racing conditions for all athletes entered in the competitions.
Page3 CONTENT Part One Officials Training and Certification Program Officials and Competitions Duties of Officials Competition Site Part Two Sprint Officials Association Roles and Responsibilities of Regional SOA Directors Policy and Procedures for Officials
Page4 1.0 Training and Certification PART ONE Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 International Club or Regional Level National Level Competition Manager ICF 2.0 Outcomes Levels of Training 2.1 Level 1 2.2 Level 2 2.3 Level 3 2.4 ICF 3.0 Glossary of Terms 4.0 Code of Safety 5.0 Organization of the Competition 6.0 Competition Officials 7.0 Duties of the Officials 6.1 Chief Official 6.2 Chief Judge 6.3 Deputy Chief Judge 6.4 Competition Manager 6.5 Boat Controller 6.6 Starter 6.7 Aligner 6.8 Course Umpire / Turning Point Umpires 6.9 Finish Line Judges / Timekeepers 6.10 Technical Organizer 6.11 Announcer 6.12 Press Officer 8.0 Course Layout 9.0 Equipment
Page5 1.0 TRAINING and CERTIFICATION The following outlines the requirements for each level of training with the purpose of certification within USA Canoe Kayak Sprint Officials Association: LEVEL ONE / CLUB OR REGIONAL LEVEL Officials are trained and certified to work a competition involving only members of one Club OR an interclub competition involving two or more Clubs. The assigning of Officials is organized by the local organizing committee in liaison with one or more Regular Member/s of the SOA from this region. LEVEL TWO / NATIONAL LEVEL Officials are in training and/or certified to work the National Team Trials, National Championships and Lake Placid International Regatta. The assignment of Officials is a recommendation from the SOA Board of Directors to the High Performance Committee for final discussion and approval. LEVEL THREE / COMPETITION MANAGER Officials are in training and/or certified to work on the Competition Committee for the USA Canoe Kayak Olympic Team Trials, National Team Trials, National Championships and the Lake Placid International Regatta. The assignment of Officials is based on a recommendation from the SOA Board to the High Performance Committee for final discussion and approval. INTERNATIONAL / ICF Officials are trained and certified to work the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, Pan Am Championships. The International Canoe Federation (ICF) has its own set of criteria for training and certification. USA Canoe Kayak High Performance Committee is to receive the names of nominated Officials from the SOA Chair via the National Sprint Development Director for further discussion. The ICF candidate Officials have indicated a desire to be ICF certified (sent request to the SOA Chair) and meet the USA Canoe Kayak and ICF prerequisites to become accredited Officials. The final decision rests with the USA Canoe Kayak Board for approval of the names to be forwarded to the ICF. 2.0 OUTCOMES Each level of training has appropriate outcomes to be achieved by the candidate Official in order to be granted certification. 2.1 Level 1 Club or Regional Level Official Requirements The Official candidate is a minimum 18 years of age The Official candidate has an interest in officiating at a Club or Regional Competition The Official candidate is prepared to commit the time to gain the necessary competition experience in order to satisfy the requirements of the Officials course The Official candidate attends the Level One training course offered locally, online or at the Nationals
Page6 The Official candidate has a basic understanding and knowledge of the Sprint Canoe Rules. The Official candidate successfully meets the minimum requirements to be classified as Level 1 Certified Official achieves 80% on the test. The Level One Course facilitator may be a Certified Level Two, Three or ICF Official who has completed the Level One Facilitator program. 2.2 Level 2 National Level Official Requirements The Official candidate has been involved with their local Club in the running/administering of annual competitions both at the Club and where applicable on a regional basis. The Official candidate has completed their Level One and is willing to assist in the administering of Level Two to their volunteer base. The Official candidate has been involved in officiating at a local competition between member Clubs and athletes to offer the competitors every opportunity of ultimately achieving national honors under USA C/K racing rule conditions. The Official candidate has expressed a desire to work more National events examples in the US include: National Team Trials, LPI and National Championships as well as major annual local competitions. The Level Two training opportunity is offered at the Nationals and when numbers warrant at the Annual USA Canoe Kayak Coaching and Leadership Conference. The Official candidate successfully meets the minimum requirements to be classified as Level 2 Certified Official achieves 85% on the test. 2.3 Level 3 Competition Manager Requirements The Official candidate has expressed a desire and submitted this desire in writing to the Chair of the SOA Board to be a candidate for the Level 3 program. The body of work of this Official candidate is to be included in the email submission. A letter of recommendation is also to be attached to the email submission Each Official candidate submission will be reviewed on an individual basis. The SOA Board will review the candidate s readiness to be involved in the Level 3 program. The Level Three training program is offered each year at the USA Canoe Kayak Coaching and Leadership Conference. 2.4 ICF Candidate To be eligible to take the ICF Examination the Level 3 certified Official must have worked all three key positions on the Competition Committee at all three National events as outlined in Section 2.2 within the last four years. The potential candidate must have worked two of the three major domestic competitions in the current year of the submission as well as the previous year of the submission. The Official candidate has submitted their desire to be an ICF candidate in an email to the Chair of the SOA Board. A letter of recommendation from the regional rep or Club President is also to be attached to the email submission Each submission is to be viewed on an individual basis by the SOA Board.
Page7 The SOA Board will make their recommendation to the HPC via the National Sprint Development Director. The HPC will view the recommendation of the SOA Board but has the power to overrule or to accept the SOA recommendation. The HPC will make their recommendation to the CEO of USA Canoe Kayak who will in turn announce the decision to the Chair of the SOA Board. The Chair of the SOA Board will convey the decision to the Official candidate in a conference call with a third party from the SOA Board present. 3.0 Glossary of Terms TERM DESCRIPTION USA Canoe Kayak USA Canoe Kayak is the National Governing Body NGB for the Olympic disciplines of Sprint and Slalom; correct abbreviation is USA C/K ICF International Canoe Federation worldwide governing body for Sprint Canoe Sprint Canoe ICF term for flat water canoe and kayak SOA Sprint Officials Association SOA BOARD Board of Directors elected annually by Certified Officials attending Nationals SCA Sprint Coaches Association NSDD National Sprint Development Director USA C/K and staff liaison for SOA HPC High Performance Committee approval body for proposed rule changes Competition Committee Top management of the competition composed of Chief Official, Chief Finish Line Judge & Competition Secretary. Draw Procedure of assigning lanes and heats as required for entries to the schedule of events. Scratch The withdrawal of an entry following the official draw procedure Cockpit Opening in a kayak where the athlete sits. Splash Cover Apparatus worn by a kayak competitor fitted to cover the cockpit area. Start Line Imaginary line connecting two markings where competitors boat begin the race. Finish Line Imaginary line connecting two markings where competitors boat finish the race. Boat Bow Front tip of the boat Boat stern Back tip of the boat Rudder Steering device found under the stern of a kayak not part of a canoe Gunwale Outer edge of a canoe found along both sides of the open area of a canoe Lane Area of water assigned to a boat in an event for example, lane six marker is on right side of a boat on the starting line; athlete lines his/her boat to the left of their lane marker Safety Boat A motorized on water boat positioned along the side of the course used to maintain safety for the competitors. C1, C2 or C4 Singles, doubles or four canoe boat K!, K2 or K4 Singles, doubles or four kayak boat Single Blade Paddle used by canoe competitor Double Blade Paddle used by kayak competitor Log card Personal record of an Official s working a competition signed by Chief Official. Deck Number Matches the lane assignment for a boat placed on rear/stern deck of the boat. Rules Found in the USA Canoe Kayak Rules and Regulations on website www.usack.org
Page8 4.0 Code of Safety All Officials are to be familiar with and apply the USA Canoe Kayak Sprint Canoe Code of Safety as amended by the SOA from time to time and posted on USA C/K website. 5.0 Organization of the Competition see Section VI of the USA Canoe Kayak Regulations posted on the USA Canoe Kayak website www.usack.org http://www.teamusa.org/home/usa%20canoe%20kayak/racing%20rules.aspx 5.1 Competition Officials The following is the normal complement of Officials for a club or division competition: Chief Official Chief Judge Deputy Chief Judge Competition Manager Boat Controllers Starter/s Aligner Course Umpires / Turning Point Umpires Finish Line Judges / Timekeepres Technical Organizer Boat drivers Announcer Press Officer The top management of each competition shall be in the hands of the Competition Committee which shall consist of: Chief Official Chief Judge Deputy Chief Judge The Competition Committee shall: Organize and supervise the competition May postpone the competition and decide on another time when it may be held in the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances which make it impossible to carry out the competition Shall hear and decide the outcome of any protests and settle any disputes that may arise NOTE: Before any decision is made regarding a protest, the Competition Committee: Shall obtain a complete report from the Official reporting the infraction May seek the opinion of the Officials who controlled the race in which the infraction is said to have occurred May seek the opinions of other USA CANOE KAYAK certified Sprint Officials who are officiating at the competition; and shall base their decision on these rules. A member of the Competition Committee who is affiliated by relationship or Club with a competitor whom the Competition Committee may be called upon to disqualify, shall recuse themselves from the decision making process in that case. The Chief Official shall appoint a temporary substitute for
Page9 the recused member of the Competition Committee from among the other USA CANOE KAYAK certified officials at the competition. 6.0 Duties of the Officials see Section VII of the USA Canoe Kayak Rules and Regulations USA Canoe Kayak official website www.usack.org http://www.teamusa.org/home/usa%20canoe%20kayak/racing%20rules.aspx 6.1 Chief Official 6.2 Chief Judge 6.3 Deputy Chief Judge 6.4 Competition Manager 6.5 Boat Controller 6.6 Starter 6.7 Aligner 6.8 Course Umpire / Turning Point Umpires 6.9 Finish Line Judges / Timekeepers 6.10 Technical Organizer 6.11 Announcer 6.12 Press Officer 7.0 Course Layout see Section IX of the USA Canoe Kayak Rules and Regulations on the USA Canoe Kayak website www.usack.org http://www.teamusa.org/home/usa%20canoe%20kayak/racing%20rules.aspx 8.0 Equipment In order to run a competition, the following equipment is desirable. The requirements can be modified if necessary for the running of a local or Club competition but only with the consideration of the safety and effectiveness of the competition. A public address system is installed in or near the judges stand. Motor boats should have at least a 9.9 horsepower motor and be 16 feet in length and, if possible, have a flat bottom for stability. The distribution is usually one motor boat for the starter, one for each of the Umpires, two for safety patrol. All motorboats or other craft used for coaching, officiating or for competition safety, must meet the minimum requirements as set down in the local marine regulations. A minimum of one loudhailer should be provided for the Starters and the Umpires. A device capable of producing a short powerful sound should be provided to the Starter and Umpires. A timing device should be available for the competition and should be verified regularly for timing accuracy. It is desirable to have an extra timing device for a backup. A spare set of red flags and white flags should be available for the use of Officials. The white flag is to signal fair race and the red flag is to signal an infraction. Two-way radios are a vital tool of communication during the competition. The distribution is one each for the Starter, Umpires, Judges Stand, safety boats and as a backup. Also necessary to the smooth running of the competition are miscellaneous items such as a tool kit, a battery charger and numerous spare batteries, start lists, clipboards, pens, pencils, stapler, adhesive tape, scissors, and various forms for protest and name change, etc.
Page10 SPRINT OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION PART TWO The USA Canoe Kayak Sprint Officials Association shall be called the Sprint Officials Association - SOA. Objects The objects of the Sprint Officials Association shall be: to promote and encourage the concept of Sprint Canoe officiating within USA Canoe Kayak and to consider and discuss all subjects affecting it; to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas on matters affecting USA Canoe Kayak Sprint Canoe officials and related subjects; to provide for the delivery of lectures and the holding of classes in connection with the practice and concept of Sprint Canoe officiating within USA Canoe Kayak; to print, publish, sell, lend or distribute the proceedings or reports of the Sprint Officials Association or any papers, communications, works or treatises on Sprint Canoe officiating or its applications or subjects connected with Sprint Canoe officiating in any language; to establish and maintain a data base of certified officials, recognition certificates and awards to promote and organize USA Canoe Kayak in connection with Sprint Canoe officiating; to associate and to affiliate with the International Canoe Federation (ICF), Committee of Pan American Continents (COPAC) and other Association or organization, incorporated or unincorporated, with objects the same as or similar to the objects of the USA Canoe Kayak Sprint Officials Association; to invest the moneys of the Sprint Officials Association not immediately required in such manner as may, from time to time, be determined; to conduct all such other lawful things as may be incidental or may be deemed to be conducive to the attainment of these objects, or any of them. Directors The affairs of the Sprint Officials Association shall be managed by a Board of 5 Directors elected by the Regular Members of the Sprint Officials Association from among themselves at the National Championships and shall hold office until the end of the annual meeting after election, at which time the term of office terminates, or until a successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. The whole Board shall be retired at each annual meeting but shall be eligible for re-election or reappointment if otherwise qualified. Regular Members Is a certified Official within USA Canoe/Kayak. Must be a member of USA Canoe/Kayak in the current year. Eligible to receive the USA Canoe/Kayak Officials App for their smartphone Receives updates from SOA twice per year Eligible to purchase/receive USA Canoe/Kayak Officials clothing Regional Responsibilities of the SOA Directors Promote the SOA and its objects within their region / Club Encourage local certified Officials to keep their log cards up to date
Page11 Maintain an up to date list of all certified Officials in their region/club Forward these names to SOA Director in charge of National Data base by November 1 each year Identify websites and Officials App to all Officials within their region/club Recruit new candidates to take Officials Level 1 training and encourage Level 1 Certified Officials to take Level 2 training. Work with SOA Director of Officials Training Courses to set up webinar for the training of local interested official candidates Nomination for Appointment to Officiate Major National Competitions The SOA will send out a call for Officials to work the three major National competitions: USA Canoe/Kayak National Team Trials USA Canoe/Kayak Lake Placid International Regatta USA Canoe/Kayak National Championships This notice will be send out to all certified Officials listed on the National Data base prior to January 31 st of the current competition year The SOA will make their recommendations for each of the three major National competitions The Chair of the SOA will send this list to the High Performance Committee for further review The High Performance Committee will send the approved list of Officials to the USA Canoe/Kayak CEO for final approval. The approved list of Officials will be posted on the USA Canoe/Kayak website by April 1 st of the current competition year Nomination for Appointment to Officiate ICF International Competitions USA Canoe/Kayak shall attempt to provide Officials with International Canoe Federation (ICF) accreditation and who meet the criteria outlined below, opportunities to officiate at ICF international events. These events include: Pan Am Championships Junior/U23 World Championships Senior World Championships Pan Am Games Olympic Games Para Olympic Games It is recognized that all positions at these ICF international competitions must be available to all qualified USA Canoe/Kayak ICF accredited Officials, however, USA Canoe/Kayak will nominate those deemed to be the highest qualified in order to ensure USA Canoe/Kayak s positive reputation is maintained. Criteria In order to be considered for a nomination to an ICF international competition, a USA Canoe/Kayak Official must meet all of the following criteria: Be in good standing and a current member of USA Canoe Kayak/Sprint Officials Association Hold current ICF officials accreditation Served as an Official at a minimum of two USA Canoe/Kayak major National competitions National Team Trials, Lake Placid International or Nationals - in the previous year, e.g., 2 competitions in 2013 for consideration in 2014. Officiated as a minimum once at the Nationals in the two years prior to the current year, e.g., either the 2012 or 2013 Nationals for consideration in 2014.
Page12 Indicated availability and interest in nomination / appointment in writing to the Chair of the SOA by January 1 st of the current competition year NOTE: USA Canoe/Kayak does not appoint Officials to officiate at international events. The ICF will indicate to USA Canoe/Kayak the number of officials who may work the identified ICF international competitions. USA Canoe/Kayak does nominate to the ICF or COPAC the names of USA Canoe Kayak Officials capable of working the specified ICF international competition. Expectations USA Canoe/Kayak Officials selected to officiate at ICF competitions will have a responsibility to mentor other USA C/K Officials who are interested in being trained/certified at the SOA Level 3 and ICF Level. Additional Minimum Criteria for Nomination to ICF / COPAC Competitions a) Olympic Games every 4 years valid ICF accreditation / experience at a Senior World Championships or Olympic Games b) Senior World Championships annually except in Olympic year valid ICF accreditation / experience at a Senior or Junior World Championships c) Junior World Championships every year Valid ICF accreditation / experience at one or more of the following: Pan Am Games, Pan Am Championships, Continental Cup, FISU Games d) Pan Am Games or FISU every 4 years and every 2 years Valid ICF accreditation / experience at one or more of the following: Pan Am Championships, Continental Cup, USA Canoe Kayak Olympic Team Trials e) Pan Am Championships every year Valid ICF accreditation / experience at National Team Trials following ICF accreditation Approved by SOA February, 2014 Approved by HPC March, 2014 Approved by CEO & Board President, March 2014