Calgary Canoe Club Sprint Racing Program Subcommittee

Sprint Subcommittee

Chris Boulanger is the Sprint/Youth Program Director. Chris works with the coaching staff and other CCC board directors in all matters pertaining to the Sprint program.

As events approach ad hoc committees are set up in order to plan and execute events.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Calgary Canoe Club would not be able to operate without an army of volunteers. Whatever interests you, you will be able to find a place to use your talents, from Commodore of the Club, to repairing boats, to helping with regattas as part of the officials team or by chaperoning any of our away races or camps.

It is also a great way to meet the other parents, learn new skills, and learn a lot more about the sport of sprint racing, while having a lot of fun.

One of the many opportunities to volunteer is through a regatta, whether we host it or attend it. Positions required are…

Regatta Officials

Every regatta that paddlers attend, whether home or away, the following officials are needed to successfully run the competition:

Chief Official Ensures competition is run according to rules and is on time.

Chief Finish Line Judge Compares judges’ slips to verify order of finish, and lets Scorekeeper know the results.

Finish line Judges Judges the order of finish and complete a judge’s slip. A pair of binoculars is needed for this job.

Timer Records times.

Competition Secretary Records the placing in program together with crew changes, scratches, disqualification’s etc.

Whipper-in Ensures each crew checks in and obtains boat and body number, communicates scratches or changes to Chief Official and ensures return of boat and body numbers after each crew’s event.

Announcer Communicates race progress, results, special announcements etc.

Referee Ensures rules are followed. Raises white flag if race is completed according to rules, red flag if there have been infractions.

Starters At 5, 3, and 1 minute to start, the starter asks crews to align themselves behind start line, approach the start line and await the starting commands. The starter starts each race and is in control of race until all boats have cleared 25 metre mark.

Competition Organizer Organizes regatta for Club or Division.

Boat Driver Drives referees and follows the race. May have to respond to any emergency situation that arise

Competition Committee Chief Official, Chief Finish Line Judge and Competition Secretary - supervise competition, may postpone due to inclement weather, hear protests and settle disputes.

Other Ways to Get Involved

Whatever your talents, there is a place for you at the Calgary Canoe Club. Here are just a few of the other ways you can become involved:

Chaperones: There are many away regattas or training camps where chaperones are needed. Skills needed are cooking, eyes in the back of your head, and duct tape and emergency repair skills.
Fundraising: Meat sales, Entertainment Books, Poinsettia sales, bottle drives, car washes etc. raise funds for the individual paddler’s accounts, which can be used for fees, travel or equipment. Funds are also raised by an annual Casino, concession stand at regattas, providing food for Voyageur races, Giant Garage Sale etc. These funds go toward the Sprint Racing paddlers as a group.
Boat Repairs: These are needed particularly during the winter to get the boats ready for the season, though there are ongoing needs for repairs.
A Board of Directors runs the Calgary Canoe Club, with annual elections at an Annual General Meeting usually in November. The positions are open to the general membership.
The Alberta Sprint Racing Canoe Association is the provincial body that overseas funding and carding for the athletes and clubs in Alberta. They also have yearly elections and the positions are open to the members of the different clubs in Alberta.
During the year there are opportunities for social events where baking, organizing skills or winemaking skills may be required.