Volunteering

One of the important ingredients in a successful triathlon is the volunteers. Volunteers make it possible to conduct a safe, well-organized event. 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 - triathletes 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. 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 fill out the volunteer registration form.

Typical Jobs

Swim Course Assistance
• People who own boats, 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 watercrafts 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 has some basic responsibilities:
• 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. Triathletes 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.
• Our water safety personnel are our eyes and ears for problems during the swim. Triathletes are instructed to wave their hands above their heads should they feel like they need assistance. This is what our water safety personnel are looking for. This will allow one of our immediate response watercraft to assist you quickly. Our swim course coordinator will be in radio communication with a medical response team on shore, should the need arise.

Bike Course Marshal
• Volunteers on the bike course are there to direct the participants to turn in the appropriate direction at certain intersections. Volunteers are equipped with bright orange vests and sometimes stop sign paddles.
• Volunteers are asked not to wave the stop sign paddles but rather use them to assist with traffic flow. Also, make sure you're in a good location - one that allows the participants and the traffic to clearly see you as they approach the intersection, rather than only seeing you when they are in the intersection.
• Police and/or professional flag personnel will be located at any intersection that requires vehicular traffic to stop and yield to cyclists. Some volunteers in a few low density corners will also be asked to deal with vehicular traffic.

Run Course Marshal
• Volunteers on the run course have the responsibility of directing participants at certain turns. Volunteers are equipped with bright orange vests and sometimes stop sign paddles.
• Volunteers are asked not to wave the stop sign paddles but rather use them to assist with traffic flow. Also, make sure you're in a good location - one that allows the participants and the traffic to clearly see you as they approach the intersection, rather than only seeing you when they are in the intersection.
• Some volunteers in a few low density intersections will also be asked to deal with vehicular traffic.

Transition Zone
• The transition zone is the fenced in area containing all the bikes, and all the athletes gear. This area sees constant action. Here are the basic responsibilities for transition area volunteers:
• Volunteers will be stationed at the two entrances to the transition area. They will be asked to keep spectators out. The transition zone is for participants only. Participants know this and have been told repeatedly.
• During the event, transition zone volunteers will become traffic cops - directing participants out the appropriate exits of the transition zone. They will continue to keep any wandering spectators out of the transition area.

Parking Marshal
• Volunteers are needed to direct all the arriving participants to the designated parking areas and to assure that the participant’s park in an orderly manner.

Water 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 gels. The volunteers at water stations can have a lot of fun as they can create a party atmosphere not only for the participants but for themselves. Music, cheering, costumes are only some suggestions on how to make your water station fun. It is always a good idea to have one member of the water station crew assigned to picking up cups during the event. This will save a lot of time when the event is over.

Timing & Results
• A Chip Timing System will be used and the volunteers will assist the timing company as required.
• One responsibility will include making sure those participants pass through the timing chutes (either fencing or pennant line will be used) and also making sure that spectators keep out of the timing chutes. Volunteers will also be asked to make sure that nobody (other than race staff) tampers with the timing mats or boxes.
• The other responsibility will be at the finish line where a couple of volunteers will be asked to remove the ankle bracelets off of each participant. These ankle bracelets hold the special computer timing chip. The finish line will be set up in such a fashion as to force participants to exit the finish line area through one narrow gate. Volunteers will be stationed at this gate. NO participant will be allowed to leave this area without having their ankle bracelet removed.

Food & Refreshments
• These are the folks who assist with serving the beverages and food to volunteers during the event and to the participants following the event.
• One volunteer is also required to deliver food and refreshments to all the other hard-working volunteers that are out on the run or bike courses. This is best done on a mountain bike with panniers or a bike trailer. This task allows the volunteer to actually be out on the bike and run parts of the race course.

Motorcycle & Driver
• A few motorcycles and drivers are required to carry Triathlon British Columbia officials around the course. Each motorcycle driver has to supply their own motorcycle along with a second motorcycle helmet for the official.

Package Pick-Up & Check-In
• Volunteers are always needed to assist our Set Up event staff at package pick-up & Check-In. One day prior to the event, participants must check-in. They receive their official event numbers, packet of information, t-shirts, swim caps, etc. This function takes place the day prior to the race and also for a few hours the day before the event.

Kids Run
• A couple of volunteers are needed to assist with the kids run that happens the evening before race day. This involves

Equipment Transport
• Volunteers are needed to pickup and deliver equipment and supplies from storage facilities to the race site. This will be done mostly with a rental truck.
• Volunteers are also needed to transport tables, chairs, water and supplies to all the water stations on the run and bike courses.
• At the end of the event volunteers are needed to collect all the equipment and supplies form the water stations and the race site and deliver them back to their storage facilities.

Site Setup
• Volunteers are needed to setup our race site expo one to two days prior to the event. There are a number of tasks to be done from setting up tents, tables & chairs, to setting up fencing, banners, barricades etc.

Site Take Down
Volunteers are needed to take down and clean up our race site expo. There are a number of tasks to be done from dismantling tents, to removing fencing, banners, barricades etc.