From Pro Triathlete to Deck Referee: Why Officiating Swimming Is So Rewarding: Chet Goudy, EP 315

You can love swimming and still feel intimidated by the rulebook, the whistles, and the idea of disqualifying someone. That hesitation is exactly why we wanted an on-deck conversation with Chet Goudy, a USA Swimming deck referee, Masters swimmer, former college breaststroker, and former pro triathlete. He walks us through what a deck ref actually does, what it feels like to run a session from the pool deck, and why meets are always desperate for more well-trained officials.

We also get personal about how people find their way back to the water. Chet shares the detour he took away from swimming in high school, the grind of returning for college, and the kind of “legendary” training that rewards durable athletes. From there we jump into Masters swimming culture with the Annapolis Breakfast Club, where 4,000-yard mornings are normal and “Fitness February” means 5,000 a day to build toward open water challenges like the Chesapeake Bay Swim.

Then we zoom out to endurance sport and mindset. Chet explains how a coach transformed his triathlon training by making every session purposeful, controlled, and measurable, leading to a pro card and later a 13-week comeback plan to win a race after years away. If you’re a swim parent, a Masters swimmer, or someone curious about volunteering at swim meets, you’ll leave with clear next steps and a fresh view of what it means to support the sport.

• deck referee responsibilities and how officiating is the best seat
• becoming an official through apprenticeship and on-deck mentoring
• why disqualifications help swimmers learn rather than punish them
• the social side of officiating and why more officials make meets better
• Masters  at the Annapolis Breakfast Club with 4,000 yard workouts
• preparing for open water goals like the Chesapeake Bay Swim
• “train on purpose” lessons from triathlon coaching and earning a pro card

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Email us at [email protected]. Opinions discussed are not medical advice, please seek a medical professional for your own health concerns.

You can learn more about the Host and Founder of Champions Mojo at www.KellyPalace.com