OFFICIATING NEWS
Canadian officials applying to officiate at international competitions must now follow the endorsement process approved by Lifesaving / Sauvetage Canada in February 2011. The policy is linked in the documents below and the link above.

OFFICIATING OPPORTUNITIES
Any current calls for officials for national or international competitive lifesaving events will be posted in the files section below and also below this paragraph.

• Call for key officials for 2012 Canadian championships in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Lake Simon. Deadline is Jan. 27, 2012. More information is available here

OFFICIATING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
As the governing body for lifesaving sport in Canada, the Lifesaving Society offers a certification program for lifesaving sport officials.

The Lifesaving Sport Officials Certification program is designed to assist with the flexibility of a variety of lifesaving sport formats, including Pool, Open Water and Emergency Response competitions. Certification is earned after participation and completion of each course. Experience is required to advance to the next level of the Lifesaving Sport Officials Certification program.

Community Officials Certification courses provide training for parents, staff, and volunteers who wish to officiate
lifesaving sport at the community level.

The Community Officials course focuses on the duties and roles that are required in large numbers when hosting a lifesaving sport event.

Prerequisite: 13 years of age.

Evaluation & certification: The Lifesaving Sport Community Officials Instructor evaluates and certifies candidates.

Candidate recognition: Certification card.

Candidate reference material: Community Officials candidates must have the following for on-course reference:

• Lifesaving Sport Officials Technical Reference Manual
• ILS Manual (purchase from www.lifesavingsociety.com or download here.)

Pool, Open Water, Emergency Response Officials Certification courses provide training for lifesaving sport officials who wish to officiate in different roles at community, provincial and national lifesaving sport events. The courses consist of core material together with environment-specific modules leading to certification in the following options: Pool
Officials Certification, Open Water Officials Certification or Emergency Response Officials Certification.

Prerequisite: minimum 16 years of age, current Lifesaving Sport Community Officials certification, minimum 5 hours experience at a sanctioned Lifesaving Sport event in a Community Officials role.

Evaluation & certification: The Lifesaving Sport Officials Instructor evaluates and certifies candidates. Officials recertify
every 2 years through professional development.

Candidate recognition: Certification card.

Candidate reference material: Officials candidates must have the following for on-course reference:

• Lifesaving Sport Officials Technical Reference Manual
• ILS Manual (purchase from www.lifesavingsociety.com or download here.)

The following courses are in development. Interested persons should contact the Lifesaving Society for the status of materials.

Referee, Meet Manager Officials Certification
Referees and Meet Managers are responsible to maintain fairness and consistency through enforcing proper scoring practices, rules, engaging in protest resolution, and managing all aspects of a lifesaving sport event. Lifesaving Sport Officials courses are offered in the following specific roles: Referee, Meet Manager. These courses are in development. Interested persons should contact their provincial branch of the Lifesaving Society.

Officials Instructor Certification
The Lifesaving Sport Officials Instructor evaluates and certifies candidates in the Lifesaving Sport Officials Certification program.

Prerequisite: Current Lifesaving Instructor, current Lifesaving Sport Pool, Open Water, or Emergency Response Officials
certification.

Evaluation & certification: The Lifesaving Sport Officials Instructor Trainer evaluates and certifies candidates. Officials

Instructors recertify every 2 years through professional development.

Candidate recognition: Certification card.

Candidate reference material: Officials Instructor candidates must have the following for on-course reference:

• Lifesaving Sport Officials Technical Reference Manual
• ILS Manual (purchase from www.lifesavingsociety.com or download here.)

These courses are in development. Interested persons should contact their provincial branch of the Lifesaving Society for the status of materials.