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> What does it take to become a FISA umpire?
has been made and then aim to correct it in
the most suitable way.”
>
Despite the inevitable pressure of policing an
international sports event, umpiring certainly has
its advantages. Not only are they at the forefront
of a rowing regatta, umpires also get the chance
to visit many different locations and meet a wide
variety of athletes, organising committees,
volunteers and spectators. Rombaut believes
that the greatest things about umpiring are the
relationships, the teamwork and the camaraderie
that stem from it.
Once securing an international umpiring license,
an umpire, if called to jury, can umpire any
international regatta. However certain iconic
rowing regattas and events around the world,
such as Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race and
Henley Royal Regatta which are not covered by
the FISA commission but are events Rombaut
believes are on every umpire’s wishlist.
© Detlev Seyb/ MyRowingPhoto.com
“There are not so many sports where we can still
use the word ‘family’ and I am very proud that
without a doubt, rowing is a major exception. It
is even truer within the umpiring family. I do wish
however that a greater number of former athletes
would join this family. It would only contribute
further to the mutual respect between athletes
and umpires.”
As the World Rowing season creeps ever closer,
with the first stage of the Samsung World Rowing
Cup, held in Munich, Germany from 27 to 29 May,
FISA’s total number of umpires continues to grow.
In total there are 451 FISA licensed umpires. If a
national federation wishes to submit a candidate
for examination, they should inform FISA one
month before the next scheduled examination,
which are held at numerous points throughout
the year, details of which can be found at
www.worldrowing.com.
Umpire stopping a race due
to a buoy problem during
the 2010 Rowing World Cup
in Lucerne, Switzerland.
● Laura Fell
Umpire observing the
course from the start
tower at Marina Bay
Reservoir during the 2010
Youth Olympic Games in
Singapore.
