Volunteers
Volunteers play a key role in the success of water skiing and wakeboarding in Scotland!
From the young person looking to gain skills and experience while helping at a club or venue to the Waterski and Wakeboard Scotland board members who bring a wealth of experience and ensure the sport stays on the right track the contribution made by all volunteers is invaluable!
We are committed to supporting all those who volunteer within our sports by providing educations, training, and development opportunities and by recognising and rewarding their efforts.
Why Volunteer
Getting involved as a volunteer has many benefits, these include:
- Improved Physical and Mental Health
- Improved Life Skills
- A Sense of Belonging
- Enhanced Job Skills and Improved Employability
- Education, Training and Development Opportunities
- Many clubs and venues also offer incentives such as discounted memberships and sessions
Ways to Get Involved
There are lots of volunteering roles available within our sports, some of the most common roles are:
Observer
They are primarily responsible for observing the person being towed and communicating any signals or safety matters to the driver. They will also help the driver by warning them of other vessels approaching from behind.
Qualifications/Experience Needed:
No formal qualifications are required however in-house training by the club/venue will normally be provided. For example, observers should be familiar with standard hand signals.
Time Commitment:
1 or 2 days per event plus training and development.
Development Opportunities:
Once qualified in an officiating role you can develop to high levels of qualification or take up additional roles. As you gain experience you may get the opportunity to be involved in national and international events.
Driver
Every successful session is due, in part, to the skills of the boat driver. Drivers are ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the boat and providing the skier or wakeboarder with a good experience.
Qualifications/Experience Needed:
The SBD courses is recognised as the minimum standard of driving skills throughout the UK.
Time Commitment:
Flexible.
Development Opportunities:
In addition to the 3 levels of SBD qualification WWS have also developed Advanced Driver Training for Slalom and Wakeboard driving. As your skills and experience develop you might get the opportunity to drive in competitions.
Find out more about our courses that will help prepare you to be a safe and competent driver here.
Coach
Coaches are responsible for helping participants to develop their skills whilst ensuring sessions are safe and fun. Whether you are working with a beginner aiming to get up and out the water for the first time, a young wakeboard looking to nail their first trick or an experience tournament water skier preparing for their next competition you will need to be a great communicator and have strong motivational skills.
Qualifications/Experience Needed:
Many clubs and venues will support budding coaches to work alongside existing qualified coaches however to become a licenced coach you will first have to complete at least the BWSW Level 1.
Time Commitment:
Flexible – some clubs and venues will support you to gain qualifications in return for a commitment to giving back your time.
Development Opportunities:
There are many opportunities for coaches including paid employment, opportunities to gain higher levels of qualification or attendance at development sessions.
Find out more about being a coach and our coaching courses here.
Official
Becoming an official is a great way to get involved in the sport – whether you are getting involved for the first time or want to give something back to the sport you love. Being an official is a great way to learn more about the “behind the scenes” and technical aspects of the sport.
Qualifications/Experience Needed:
There are several different officiating roles with attendance at the relevant officials training seminars being the first step to becoming qualified.
Time Commitment:
Flexible.
Development Opportunities:
Complete the relevant training and become a driver or official.
Find out more about our officiating roles here.
Club Committee Member
Taking up roles such as: chairperson, secretary, treasurer, media officer, website editor and welfare officer is a great way to be involved in developing your club. to share your ideas and make the club a success.
Qualifications/Experience Needed:
An understanding of our sports is helpful, but your professional skills are most useful.
Time Commitment:
Club Committees usually meet for between 1 and 2 hours each month.
Development Opportunities:
WWS hosts regular gatherings bringing together the clubs and venues around the country. After being a Club Committee Member, you might also then consider becoming a WWS Board Member.
WWS Board Member
The overriding role of the directors is to keep Waterski and Wakeboard Scotland on track with our long-term strategy. Good governance is vital to the ongoing strength of any sport and to a sport’s ability to attract and retain funding. Board elections take place at our Annual General Meeting.
Qualifications/Experience Needed:
An interest in developing the sport is essential alongside the relevant professional skills.
Time Commitment:
The WWS Board meets for 1-2 hours every second month.
Development Opportunities:
As a Board Member you will have access to sportscotland training and development opportunities and have the opportunity to represent the organisation.
Volunteering Opportunities
Do you want to get involved with volunteering in our sport?
Check out the volunteering opportunities currently available at clubs and venues around Scotland.