It will soon be time to tear the final page from the 2003 calendar. "Season's Greetings" from all involved with this page. 2003 was a good year for the sport of swimming. Many new records were set, thus setting the standards and expectations very high for the Olympic years's performances. We are hoping all athletes will perform to their ultimate goals and will become the best they can be.

We need to thank some folks for all they have contributed to the sucess of this page. First, "thank you" to Maxwell Awards and Swimming World magazine for originating the Maxwell Excellence Award, and for making valuable space available to officials to facilitate communication, uniformity and understanding across all swimming organizations.

"Is it OK to wear Levis?"

"May I wear sandals?"

"I'm tanning - may I wear my white spaghetti strap tank top?"

"These gray pants are as close to navy blue as I have - they will have to do"

"I don't wan to wear long pants for finals - it's too hot, and the legs get so sotty."

We have all heard these comments before. It's no in the rule book, so why should all officials conform to a standard uniform?

I can still remember when seeding for swimming meets was done by hand. Computers now handle all of that administrative work. Now, we take it for granted that we can easily move athletes from heat to heat by merely dragging their names on the computer screen, or add an athlete to an event and easily re-seed.

And where do the times come from? There was a time when two or three handheld watches decided the time. Now, we have the timing computer, of course!

Except when there is a pad failure, the computer handles it all. Humans are their limitations are not involved. Can it get any better?

The answer to that question is "yes," because we still have "humans and their limitations" involved in using the backup timing systems and watching relay takeoffs. However, help is on the way on both fronts.

It's one think to be an experienced starter; it's another to be competent.

To become a competent starter, on must understand the proper protocol and put it into practice. Consider the following charcteristics of a competent starter.

1. The sole purpose of a starter is to ensure a fair start for all competitors.
2. Experience at all levels is necessary--from novice to senior and beyond.
3. Proficiency comes with experience. A starter will make mistakes, a good starter will learn from them. Reduce mistakes to a minimum, add consistency, and you'll have a competent starter.
4. Patience is a virtue. con't expect to progress immediately from one level to the next. A competent starter must first achieve proficiency at each level before moving on. also, be patient with the swimmers. Allow them to get set before the start; experience will dictate when to request a restart. Remember: and error on the slow side is easy to correct, wheras an error on the fast side is not.
5. Admit mistakes and accept all responsibilities. The key to competency is learning from your mistakes and not dwelling on them. Too often, a starter will let one mistake overshadow many good starts.
6. Expect the unexpected. Be proactive, not reactive. Proficiency and continued practice at each level will give the starter the experience necessary to instinctively perform with success, knowing what could happen and being able to adjust before a potential problem occurs.
7. Experienced starters will often become familiar and possibly good friends with many swimmers, families and coaches. The swimmers� habits, and often faults, may be well-known. A good starter will not focus on a particular swimmer, but rather the entire field.
8. A competent starter will also teach. Coaches and swimmers appreciate constructive comments, particularly at the developmental level, if it helps the swimmer improve on future starts. In all cases, and with the referee's consent, approach the coach first. Some coaches will want you to talk to the swimmer, while others will handle the situation themselves.
9. Not only teach the athlete and coach, but also other starters. The more proficient all starters become, the fairer the competition. A good starter will be willing to share information without fear of being replaced by someone who becomes more proficient.
10. Understand that philosophies change periodically. You must be flexible and conform to the current philosophy. By listening to and observing the proficient starter, you can incorporate segments you like, discount what you don't like and develop your own style. A starter who has his/her own style can conform to the current philosophy and is well on the way to becoming competent.
11. A competent starter is not a cheerleader. If you have children or good friends participating while you are starting, you must give full and undivided attention to your job. As a starter, you can be extremely visible at a meet, and cheering for someone will leave you vulnerable in a dispute where you need to provide an unbiased opinion of what occurred.
12. Courage to do the right thing is critical. You must respond if unfairness has occurred. A competent starter will respond regardless of what it might do to his reputation. If the decision on a false start was done according to the rules, and fairness prevailed, then it was the right decision.
13. Work every session as though it is your last. Don't start a session with a lackadaisical attitude. You don't know what may prevent you from ever starting again. If you perform to the best of your ability at each outing and something tragic happens, you will be remembered for your last performance over all others.
14. Be professional. Professionalism is a must in all positions on the deck, but since attention is focused on the start of a race, the starter's calm demeanor and presentation stands out. The starter can establish the mood and decorum of the meet by following general rules of professionalism.

In closing, many of the characteristics mentioned are not new to most competent starters. The intent is to explain how to become proficient so those who wish to become starters have guidelines from which to begin, and those with experience will be aware of and reflect on the many considerations that go into becoming competent.

This philosophy is applicable to all governing bodies, and the protocol can be adjusted to suit current practices within each organization. The goal should be universal in providing each swimmer, regardless of affiliation, the best and fairest start possible.

Pat Lunsford is the immediate past officials chairman and a FINA referee.

As you sit cheering and watching your child swim a race, hoping no official raises a hand to DQ him or her, have you ever thought of all the teamwork it takes to put on a successful swim meet?

You may be aware of hte referee and starter plus the strok and turn judges as they "patrol" the deck, but what would happen if the many other "behind-the-scenes" people who we take for granted weren't there?

In 20 years of conducting Local Officials Clinics, I have observed that there are several characteristics that are essential in becoming a proficient swimming official. Those who choose to become officials for the right reasons usually stay active long after their children have retired from swimming.

The most important characteristic of a good official is a selfless desire to help all swimmers achieve their best. He or she realizes that every position is equally important in running a smooth competition, officials wiht a high-profile positions have the same value to a successful meet as teh backroom organizers. An ego-driven official never understands this concept, and ofttimes, will drop out of officiating early.

Secondly, a good official understands that swimming is a sport with clearly defined rules adn regulations. These rules are not meant to be re-interpreted to "fix" a situation for one swimmer.