Have Fun, Be A Vigour Volunteer!!

Volunteering is Fun!

Volunteer with us & receive a Vigour Swim Card or event entry in return.

One of the critical ingredients in a successful event is volunteers. Volunteers make it possible to conduct a safe, well-organised event. In Open Water Swimming, volunteers are needed in a variety of areas. In all cases, volunteers will find their task fun and exciting. At the end of the day, they'll feel like they made a valuable contribution to the success of the race. They will also feel appreciated - swimmers are known to be a very appreciative group. It won't be unusual for many participants to thank you for your contribution during the race. 

Almost all of our volunteers return the following year. You'll find the atmosphere to be electric. If you volunteer we urge you to be energetic and enthusiastic, but above all, HAVE FUN!

Volunteer Registration

The various volunteer jobs are listed below - followed by descriptions to each job. If you'd like to help us out, simply click on the "volunteer form" link on the page of the event you'd like to help with! Vigour Events look forwrad to seeing you.

 Typical Jobs

 ?Swim Course (on water)

People who own boats, jetskis, kayaks or canoes are always welcome to help out during the swim portion of the race. We use a very simple rule when it comes to water safety: we can never have too many watercraft out on the water during the swim. People who volunteer in this area will be directed by the "Swim Coordinator" to take a specific position along the swim course. Our water safety flotilla have two basic responsibilities: A) Give a swimmer who needs assistance something to hang on to. By positioning watercraft around the perimeter of the swim course, there is always somebody near a potential problem. Swimmers are not disqualified for hanging on to a watercraft temporarily before continuing their swim. But they are disqualified once they exit the water. They can't change their mind and get back into the water to continue the race.B) Our water safety personnel are our eyes and ears for problems during the swim. Swimmers are instructed to wave their hands above their heads should they feel like they need assistance. They're also instructed to take off their swim caps and hold them in their hands as they're waving. This is what our water safety personnel are looking for. Each watercraft will be given a disposable whistle and an an orange flag. Should you detect a problem, blow the whistle and wave the orange flag above your head. This will allow one of our immediate response watercraft (outboards or jetskis) to assist you quickly. We will also equip each watercraft with either a life vest or a lifesaving tube to toss to anyone who needs assistance. Our swim course coordinator will be in radio communication with a medical response team on shore, should the need arise.

 Swim Course (on shore)

These volunteers will assist with the check-in procedure of swimmers prior to the beginning of the swim and to assist swimmers out of the water.. Swimmers are checked into the water prior to the swim where we check off their numbers. At the end of the swim, we have volunteers who direct the participants in the appropriate direction. Volunteers are asked to also keep spectators out of the way during the race.

 Parking 

Volunteers are needed to park all the arriving participants in designated parking areas.

Aid Stations During the run portion of the event, we have aid stations set up for the participants. Volunteers typically hand participants cups filled with water and/or energy drinks. At selected events (longer events), the aid stations are also stocked with energy gel and other food items. Most of the time, the aid stations only have drinks. It's always a good idea to have one member of the aid station crew assigned to picking up cups during the event. This will save a lot of time when the event is over.

 Packet Pick-Up & Registration

Volunteers are always needed to assist our Set Up event staff at packet pick-up/registration. Prior to the event, participants must check-in. They receive their official event numbers, packet of information, swim caps, etc. This function takes place for one hour prior to the race.

 Timing

We like to have a back up timer to make sure everyone receives their correct time.

Your Reward

In return for you time and assistance you will receive a Vigour 5 Swim Card or an event entry (please note exclusions apply).

If you would like to join us at Vigour Events and come along to some of our events, we look forward to seeing you.

Our first event of the season is at Bardowie Loch on Sunday 27th May.

 Thank you Vigour Events.