NWANA Nordic Walking Judging Pathway

The NWANA Nordic Walking Judging Pathway prepares officials to evaluate Nordic Walking technique and apply NWANA Competition Rules fairly, consistently, and responsibly during competition.

Judging is not based only on memorizing rules or recognizing the general appearance of Nordic Walking.

A qualified judge must understand how correct and incorrect technique appears at competition speed, under acceleration and fatigue, during overtaking, on different surfaces and terrain, and under changing weather and competitive conditions.

The pathway includes mandatory technical preparation, rules education, supervised practical experience, assessment, and three progressive Judge License levels.

Completion of the Nordic Walking Instructor – Beginner Level Certification alone is not sufficient preparation for judging.

Begin with the Required Foundation

Every future NWANA Nordic Walking Judge begins with the Nordic Walking Instructor – Beginner Level Certification through NWANA Academy.

This course provides the common foundation in Nordic Walking technique, equipment, movement principles, observation, safety, and professional responsibility.

After completing the Beginner Level Certification, a future judge must continue through the additional technical preparation established for the Judging Pathway.

Previous athletic, judging, officiating, coaching, or competition experience may be considered by NWANA, but it does not by itself authorize direct entry into an advanced Judge level or replace required NWANA technical and rules assessments.

Technical Preparation Before Judge Education

Before a candidate can evaluate other competitors, the candidate must demonstrate an advanced understanding of Nordic Walking competition technique.

Required preparation may include:

• advanced study of Nordic Walking technique;

• understanding of the movement requirements established by NWANA Competition Rules;

• personal technique assessment;

• observation of technique at different speeds;

• analysis of slow-motion and full-speed competition video;

• recognition of technique changes caused by acceleration and fatigue;

• analysis of pole placement, loading, release, and recovery;

• evaluation of body position, gait, contact, coordination, and forward progression;

• observation on stadium, road, and cross-country courses;

• distinction between an actual rule violation and an individual technical variation that remains within the rules;

• written, video-based, and practical assessments.

A Judge candidate is not required to hold an active Instructor License unless the candidate also intends to teach Nordic Walking professionally.

However, every Judge candidate must complete the competition-technique education and technical assessments required by NWANA for judging. A rules course without the required technical foundation is not sufficient.

Rules Education and Practical Judge Preparation

After completing the required technical foundation, the candidate continues to Judge-specific education.

This preparation may include:

• NWANA Competition Rules;

• judge responsibilities and limitations;

• competition procedures;

• observation positions;

• communication between judges and competition officials;

• documentation of observations;

• warnings, cards, reports, and other procedures established by the rules;

• consistency and impartiality;

• conflicts of interest;

• athlete communication;

• review of disputed or difficult situations;

• practical case analysis;

• supervised judging assignments;

• final written and practical assessments.

Before receiving the first independent Judge License, the candidate must complete supervised practical preparation and demonstrate the ability to apply the rules consistently under competition conditions.

Completion of online lessons alone is not sufficient.

How Judging Progression Works

1. Complete the Beginner Level Certification

Complete the common foundational course, assessments, and technique review through NWANA Academy.

2. Complete the Required Competition-Technique Preparation

Develop and demonstrate the technical understanding required to evaluate Nordic Walking under competition conditions.

3. Complete Judge Rules Education

Study the current NWANA Competition Rules, judge procedures, documentation requirements, professional responsibilities, and limitations of authority.

4. Complete Supervised Practical Preparation

Observe competitions, analyze assigned cases, and perform judging duties under the supervision and review required by NWANA.

During this stage, the candidate may not independently represent themselves as an Active NWANA Nordic Walking Judge.

5. Pass the Required Assessments

Successfully complete the applicable written, video-based, technical, and practical evaluations.

6. Qualify for the Level 1 Judge License

After all Level 1 education and practical requirements have been completed, submit a Professional License Eligibility Review.

If eligibility is confirmed, NWANA provides private instructions for purchasing the Active NWANA Nordic Walking Judge License — Level 1.

7. Develop Documented Judging Experience

Progression requires practical judging activity, consistent application of the rules, appropriate professional conduct, and satisfactory performance in assigned roles.

8. Progress Through the Judge Levels

Level 2 becomes available only after the required Level 1 judging experience, education, and assessment have been completed and verified.

Level 3 becomes available only after the required Level 2 experience, advanced assessment, practical evaluation, and other requirements have been completed and verified.

Candidates cannot skip required Judge levels or enter Level 2 or Level 3 directly.

Three Progressive Judge Levels

Level 1 — Nordic Walking Judge

Active NWANA Nordic Walking Judge License — Level 1

Level 1 is the first active license in the NWANA Judging Pathway.

It is for qualified officials approved to perform assigned Nordic Walking judging duties within an established competition officiating structure.

A Level 1 Judge may be assigned to:

• observe Nordic Walking technique from an assigned position;

• identify potential rule violations;

• document observations accurately;

• follow the communication and reporting procedures established for the competition;

• perform other judging duties permitted by the license and assignment.

Applicants must complete the required technical education, competition-rules education, assessments, supervised practical preparation, and eligibility process established by NWANA for Level 1.

A Level 1 License does not automatically authorize the holder to serve as Chief Judge or independently manage the complete judging operation of a competition.

Annual license fee: $49

Level 2 — Nordic Walking Judge

Active NWANA Nordic Walking Judge License — Level 2

Level 2 is for experienced judges prepared to accept greater responsibility within the NWANA competition system.

Level 2 builds upon the Level 1 qualification and requires additional:

• rules knowledge;

• technical analysis;

• practical judging experience;

• competition assignments;

• case review;

• performance evaluation;

• professional judgment;

• NWANA approval.

A Level 2 Judge may be considered for more complex judging assignments and additional responsibilities according to the competition and the role assigned.

While the Level 2 Judge License remains active, a separate annual Level 1 Judge License is not required.

Annual license fee: $69

Level 3 — Nordic Walking Judge

Active NWANA Nordic Walking Judge License — Level 3

Level 3 is the highest level of the NWANA Judging Pathway.

It is intended for highly qualified and experienced judges prepared for advanced responsibilities at major competitions and other assignments requiring extensive rules knowledge, technical understanding, consistency, leadership, and professional judgment.

Eligibility is based on more than course completion.

NWANA may require:

• an Active Level 2 Judge License;

• documented judging experience;

• a required number and variety of competition assignments;

• advanced rules and technical assessments;

• practical evaluation;

• performance reports from previous assignments;

• case analysis;

• leadership and communication evaluation;

• professional references;

• individual review and approval.

While the Level 3 Judge License remains active, separate annual Level 1 and Level 2 Judge Licenses are not required.

Holding a Level 3 License does not automatically appoint the holder as Chief Judge or to any other specific position.

Annual license fee: $89

Judge License and Competition Assignment

An Active NWANA Nordic Walking Judge License confirms the holder’s approved judging level and professional status within the NWANA competition system.

The license does not guarantee appointment to a particular competition or judging position.

Assignments are made separately and may depend on:

• the level and format of the competition;

• the course and competition environment;

• the responsibilities of the particular assignment;

• the judge’s active license;

• documented experience;

• performance during previous assignments;

• professional conduct;

• availability and location;

• any additional requirements established for the competition.

A judge may accept only the responsibilities authorized by the active license and the specific competition assignment.

Chief Judge Is an Assignment

Chief Judge is a competition appointment, not a separate automatic benefit of holding a Judge License.

A Chief Judge may be responsible for:

• coordinating the judging operation;

• assigning or confirming judge positions;

• conducting pre-competition briefings;

• supporting consistent application of the rules;

• receiving and reviewing judge documentation;

• coordinating required communications;

• completing or supervising official judging reports;

• performing other responsibilities established for the competition.

NWANA may appoint a suitably qualified Level 3 Judge as Chief Judge for a particular NWANA competition.

Holding a Level 3 Judge License does not guarantee such an appointment.

Competitions conducted by another federation, governing body, organizer, or sanctioning authority determine their own judge appointments.

NWANA Education and Other Competition Systems

NWANA may educate, assess, and license Nordic Walking Judges for work within the NWANA competition system.

NWANA may also cooperate with federations, sports organizations, event organizers, and other authorized bodies in the education and professional development of judges.

An NWANA Judge License does not automatically:

• appoint the holder to a national federation;

• authorize judging at an event conducted under another organization’s rules;

• require another organization to accept the NWANA license;

• grant an international or government-recognized officiating status.

Each federation, governing body, organizer, or sanctioning authority determines the qualifications and appointments it accepts for its competitions.

Judges, Instructors, Coaches, and Technical Officials

These are different professional roles.

Nordic Walking Judge

Evaluates Nordic Walking technique and applies competition rules within an assigned judging role.

Nordic Walking Instructor

Teaches and analyzes Nordic Walking technique within the scope of an active Instructor License.

Nordic Walking Coach

Develops athletes, plans training, prepares athletes for competition, monitors performance, and manages long-term progression within the scope of an active Coach License.

Competition Technical Official

Performs assigned technical and operational competition duties.

One Professional License does not automatically grant another.

A Competition Technical Official may not evaluate Nordic Walking technique as a Judge unless the person also holds the appropriate Active NWANA Nordic Walking Judge License and has received the applicable judging assignment.

A Judge License does not automatically grant Instructor, Coach, Race Director, or Competition Technical Official status.

Judges and Participants Under 18

A Judge License does not automatically satisfy every requirement for assignments involving participants under age 18.

When a judge’s assigned role involves direct professional work or regular contact with minor participants, an Active NWANA Minor Participant License and other applicable participant-protection requirements may be required.

The requirements depend on:

• the competition;

• the judge’s responsibilities;

• the nature and frequency of contact;

• the ages of the participants;

• supervision arrangements;

• the policies of the responsible organization;

• applicable law.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Education

Education provides the technical knowledge, rules understanding, professional preparation, and practical learning required for judging.

Certification

Certification confirms successful completion of a particular course, assessment, or qualification.

Professional License

An Active NWANA Judge License confirms the holder’s current approved judging level and professional scope within the NWANA system.

Completing a course or receiving a certificate does not automatically activate a Judge License.

NWANA must confirm completion of the required technical preparation, rules education, assessments, supervised experience, practical evaluation, and other requirements applicable to the requested level.

Annual License Period

Active NWANA Judge Licenses remain valid through December 31 of the applicable license year.

RunSignup automatically prorates the annual license fee according to the time remaining in that license year.

Judge Licenses do not renew automatically.

Continued active status may require:

• current rules education;

• continuing professional development;

• a minimum level of judging activity;

• satisfactory performance;

• updated assessments;

• policy compliance;

• professional conduct;

• other requirements applicable to the new license year.

Professional Scope and Responsibility

A Judge License applies only to the professional level and responsibilities authorized by the license and the particular competition assignment.

A Judge License does not automatically:

• authorize the holder to perform duties beyond the assigned judging role;

• appoint the holder as Chief Judge;

• grant Instructor, Coach, Race Director, or Technical Official status;

• sanction or approve a competition;

• authorize use of the NWANA name or logo for an event;

• guarantee assignments, employment, compensation, or recognition by another organization;

• replace any requirement established by applicable law or by the organization responsible for the competition.

Judges must act impartially, avoid conflicts of interest, protect the integrity of the competition, and comply with current NWANA Competition Rules, policies, codes of conduct, and officiating procedures.