Volunteers

 

 

VOLUNTEER & RACE FREE

VOLUNTEER & RACE FREE.  The days of volunteering for just a t-shirt and a bagel are over.  VOGO or Volunteer One; Get One is a great way to volunteer and earn a valuable free race entry.  Our Volunteers assist with setup, registration, on-course support, and tear down and help make our races safer and more enjoyable.  Since 2011, over $250,000 worth of entries has been earned by California Triathlon members.  Volunteer today!

 

THE 3 STEPS OF VOGO – VOLUNTEER ONE, GET ONE

  • Register To Volunteer At A Cal Tri Race.  Select the race(s) on the VOGO calendar to volunteer.  Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. 
  • Report To Your Volunteer Assignment.  Volunteers report to the assignment location at the designated time and are checked in by the volunteer leader.  Both check-in and check-out are required to earn a free VOGO entry.  If you would prefer, you can indicate the option to donate to a charity of your choice in lieu of a free race entry.
  • Use Your VOGO Code for a Cal Tri Race!  Upon finishing your volunteer assignment, you will be provided with a free race entry code.  This code can be used for any Cal Tri Events race in 2023 or 2024. 

 

Volunteer Groups. If you have a group who would like to volunteer together, please contact Sara@californiatriathlon.org.

 

Wanted: Volunteer Captains. Do you think you have what it takes to help orchestrate a Cal Tri Events race?  Check out the duties of a captain by visiting the Captain Assignments below and then contact Sara@californiatriathlon.org to register.

Course Marshal Assignments

  • Be of good cheer!
  • Be intimately familiar with the schedule, course and race FAQ.
  • Set up the swim area to support a seeded rolling swim start.
  • Volunteers help maintain the safety and order of the swim course.
  • Direct athletes toward transition and keep spectators out of the pathway for athletes.
  • Retrieve, dry, clean and return the anchor and race buoys to the race trailer post-swim.
  • Be prepared to help with various other tasks once swim in cleaned up and you are moved to assist in areas of need.
  • Volunteers in this position should prepare to get wet and bring extra dry clothes.
  • Be of good cheer!
  • Be intimately familiar with the schedule, course and race FAQ
  • Check-in with volunteer coordinator a few minutes ahead of time.
  • Know who your captain is and how to get in touch with them.
  • Be visible, be active and provide direction to competitors.
  • Assist athletes/monitor the flow of transition area.
  • Wear a reflective vest throughout.
  • Course Marshals will be responsible for remaining on the route to identify hazards, keep racers on the course and offer them encouragement.
  • Check-out with volunteer coordinator at end of race.
  • Be of good cheer!
  • Be intimately familiar with the schedule, course and race FAQ
  • Check-in with volunteer coordinator a few minutes ahead of time
  • Know who your captain is and how to get in touch with them
  • Be visible, be active and provide direction to competitors.
  • Volunteers will be responsible for handing out water/food to the racers.
  • Communicate need for additional supplies well in advance to allow for response time.
  • Wear a reflective vest throughout.
  • Course Marshals will be responsible for remaining on the route to identify hazards, keep racers on the course and offer them encouragement.
  • Check-out with volunteer coordinator at end of race.
  • This task is invite only and a password must be entered.
  • If you are a certified lifeguard and would like to be added to the list please send and email to info@californiatriathlon.org.
  • This is a paid position for certified personel.
  • Volunteers help maintain the safety and order of the swim course.
  • Direct athletes along the course as needed.
  • Provide a stop point for athletes who need a break, but do not allow them to make forward progress.
  • In most cases water support volunteers will need to have their own kayak or SUP.
  • Please check the race specific volunteer page for details.

 

Captain Assignments

  • Be intimately familiar with the schedule, course and race FAQ.
  • Recruit captains and volunteers for race setup and race day.
  • Communicate with captains and volunteers in the time before the race.
  • Check-in captains and volunters.
  • Call/text no show volunteers.
  • Promptly comunicate personnel gaps to the captains or race manager.
  • Provide guidance to volunteers during the race when necessary.
  • Check-out captains and volunteers.
  • This should be someone with a clear head, an air of authority, and a good eye to supervise areas/volunteers.
  • Know how to use radios to communicate with other leadership teams.
  • Be intimately familiar with the schedule, course and race FAQ. For some Cal Tri Events’ races, distribute athlete race packets (athlete ID required). Download Race Day Check-In app.

Race Morning

  • Set up packet pickup area.
  • Welcome athletes to the race and answer any questions.
  • Distribute athlete race packets (athlete ID required).
  • Post-registration, break down packet pickup, by collecting swim caps, medals and timing chips from DNS packets.
  • Return timing chips to the timer and pack other unused items into boxes for the trailer. Move tables and staff to the finish line.
  • Greet finishers at finish line.
  • Collect timing chips.
  • Keep the finish line refreshments well stocked and the area clean.
  • Exchange athletes shirts and medals for alternative awards options.
  • Help with tear down and clean up efforts.
  • This should be someone with a clear head, an air of authority, and a good eye to supervise areas/volunteers.
  • Know how to use radios to communicate with other leadership teams.
  • Be intimately familiar with the schedule, course and race FAQ.
  • Place the anchor buoys the afternoon before the race in accordance with GPS locations.
  • Create and set up a path to separate specators and athletes on the way to transition.
  • Inflate the race buoys the afternoon before the race.
  • Set up the swim area to support a seeded rolling swim start.
  • Retrieve, dry, clean and return the anchor and race buoys to the race trailer post-swim.
  • This should be someone with a clear head, an air of authority, and a good eye to supervise areas/volunteers.
  • Know how to use radios to communicate with other leadership teams.
  • Be intimately familiar with the schedule, course, race FAQ, and Traffic Control Plan
  • Setup the transition area the morning before the race in accordance with the TCP.
  • Mark the bike course and communicate any concerns to RD the day before the race.
  • Race morning: Hold breifing with police for course.
  • Confirm that course marshals and police are located properly.
  • Retrieve athletes with issues completing the bike course on their own.
  • Identify last athlete on the course and once all the athletes are off the bike course, start the process of tearing down transition.
  • This should be someone with a clear head, an air of authority, and a good eye to supervise areas/volunteers.
  • Know how to use radios to communicate with other leadership teams.
  • Be intimately familiar with the schedule, course and race FAQ.
  • Setup the run course the day before or morning of the race.
  • Confirm signage and volunteer placement at key areas & 5K and 10K turnarounds.
  • Keep the aid station refreshments well stocked and the area clean.
  • Post-race, inspect the entire run course and clean up as needed.
  • This should be someone with a clear head, an air of authority, and a good eye to supervise areas/volunteers.
  • Know how to use radios to communicate with other leadership teams.
  • Be intimately familiar with the schedule, course, race FAQ, and Traffic Control Plan.
  • Deployment of the assests, ensuring all areas of race are set up correctly.
  • Identify and troubleshoot any issues throughout the weekend, then communicate promptly to the RD as needed.
  • Post-race, inspect the courses and direct volunteers to assist with clean up as needed.
  • This should be someone with a clear head, an air of authority, and a good eye to supervise areas/volunteers.
  • Know how to use radios to communicate with other leadership teams.

VOGO Calendar