Note to Swimmers 

​If you’ve arrived here with a wondering mind…you’ll be disappointed.

Parents and Guardians,

You’re probably having a tough week and it’s only Monday, or maybe you’ve been on 4:45 AM morning shifts (yes, there’s an ‘f’ in shifts).

Like it or not, it’s actually Friday and you’re faced with the following options and consequences:

1. Lie to my kid(s) and tell them Club Races has been called off due to the heavy rain;

Consequence – your child instantly SMS’s 3 swim friends and you realise how poorly you prepared your lie. 

2. Turn up to Club Races and attempt to look inconspicuous;

Consequence – The Chief Timekeeper spots you through their binoculars and gives you a wave.  You then see the caramel slices, violet crumbles, crackers and cheese, and your inclination to give a digit response to the Chief is overcome by a leap from the stands to be the first volunteer to do…

Timekeeping

The club is dependent on the support of its members and this is especially so with timekeeping.

To ensure all swimmers receive fair times we have 2 timekeepers per lane, and 3 timekeepers per lane for Club Championships. Therefore up to 24 volunteers are required each week just to time keep the races. During the season many swimmers also compete at various meets where the club is required to supply timekeepers. It is therefore important that we have a large body of parents competent to time keep. 

The club provide what we like to call the ‘adults only incentive program‘ which comes in the form of food and [non-alcoholic] beverages served through the night, plus a free raffle ticket (issued only to volunteers) to win a bottle of wine, collectable at the end of each club race night. 

Images on this page may not be an accurate depiction of Ryde Carliles’ adults only incentive program

This is not a difficult task and can be lots of fun and a great way to meet people and make friends.  In addition to a constant supply of sustenance  

Parental involvement over the years has made the club what it is today. We hope that you will join us in continuing to develop the club for our swimmers. Perhaps you and a friend might consider becoming an accredited timekeeper later in the season. For further information, please see one of the committee members on the pool deck.