The European Aquatics Swimming Officials Clinic, held from February 21 to 23 in Warsaw, Poland, proved to be a resounding success, bringing together a total of 242 participants both in-person and online.
With 66 participants attending on-site in Warsaw and an additional 176 joining via the European Aquatics Academy’s online platform the event highlighted the growing commitment of swimming officials across Europe to maintaining the highest standards in officiating.
The Clinic focused on several core areas, including updates on major European Aquatics events and achievements in 2025, insights into the new structure of the European Aquatics Academy and its cooperation with the Technical Swimming Committee (TSC), and the philosophy and protocols of officiating at European Aquatics swimming competitions.
Participants were also provided with training on communication procedures, the role of video judging and automatic officiating equipment, and officiating for Para swimming, Masters events, and Special Olympics competitions. These sessions offered an in-depth understanding of the officiating landscape, equipping officials with the necessary knowledge to ensure fairness and consistency in competitions.
A distinguished panel of lecturers, including Craig Hunter, Jens-Christian Iversen, Mireille Zimmer, Gary Stoops, Jakub Krzywda, and Karina van Holst Pellekaan led the Clinic, sharing their invaluable knowledge and practical experiences.
A particular highlight of the event was the interactive Q&A session, where participants submitted questions and scenarios, leading to a dynamic two-and-a-half-hour discussion that fostered a rich exchange of views and experiences, further strengthening the sense of community and shared purpose among European Aquatics officials.
Craig Hunter, Chair of the European Aquatics Technical Swimming Committee, reflected on the success of the event.
“Bringing together over 260 swimming officials from around Europe was a first for European Aquatics, being a great opportunity for everyone to learn new concepts and to share experiences.
“The presentations involved sessions on the use of video judging in swimming competitions, para-swimming officiating and the protocols of being an official at EA championships, including the importance of effective communication and professionalism.
“In addition, all participants were invited to submit questions and scenarios which were answered during an intense two-and-a-half hour session, with lots of views and opinions being shared.
“The aim of the Clinic was to ensure a consistent approach to swimming officiating at competitions around Europe, to ensure fairness for all competitors and for everyone to enhance their knowledge and expertise. It seems fairly clear from the discussions and feedback that the aims were fulfilled.”
The European Aquatics Academy extends its gratitude to the Polish Swimming Federation and the Swimming Technical Committee for their exceptional organisation and support, which played a crucial role in the clinic’s success.
Their commitment to excellence helped create an enriching experience for all involved. With the Clinic setting a new benchmark for officiating education in European Aquatics, officials are now better equipped than ever to uphold the highest standards in swimming competitions, ensuring fairness and professionalism across all levels of the sport.
