Umpiring

Give back to the sport and get the best seat in the house as a British Rowing umpire.

Umpires help to ensure safe and fair racing for all competitors allowing clubs across the country to run successful, enjoyable rowing competitions.

Why become an umpire?

“Umpiring is the best excuse to be with my old friends, make new ones and enjoy rowing in lots of lovely places,” Andrew Blit, umpire

By becoming an umpire, you get to learn new skills, meet new people and travel to interesting places.

As an umpire you learn how to start races, manage crews (on and off the water), communicate effectively, and solve problems. Most importantly, umpires help people to do their best by allowing rowers to compete under safe and fair conditions.

How to become an umpire

It’s easy to get started as an umpire and becoming a National Umpire is the first step towards Multi-Lane Endorsement and possibly even progressing on to become an international World Rowing umpire.

Umpires guide races under British Rowing’s Rules of Racing which are published annually online, in the British Rowing Almanack and in The Umpire’s Handbook, which is available here.

“Talk to an umpire; we are friendly people and like to chat to potential new recruits,” Celia Hickson, umpire

The Multi-Lane Umpiring Panel also produces a Guide to Multi-Lane Umpiring which provides an introduction to the wider dimensions of umpiring at a multi-lane competitions.

Training to become an umpire involves a seminar, theory exam, at-competition training and mentoring by an umpire, and a practical exam. You can start training to become an umpire at any time of the year, with support from your region.

Get involved

If you are interested in becoming an umpire please fill in the form below and one of British Rowing’s umpires will be in touch with more information. Alternatively, speak to an umpire at a competition to find out how to get started.